Bifocal glasses are used to correct vision at two different distances - the lenses are prescribed with the upper prescription for seeing at a distance and a different prescription at the bottom for seeing close. While most people think of bifocal glasses for reading as presbyopia glasses for people over the age of forty who are looking close after their eyes have lost their ability to adjust, children may also need reading glasses.
Many children's eyes have not yet fully developed and controlled the ability to focus, which relies on the adjustment of the lens in the eye to maintain a clear view of near images. Some children's eyes lack the ability to focus for long periods of time, so they can't see clearly after a while. Other children's eyes are not able to switch distances quickly, such as moving their eyes from the blackboard to the desk, so they feel blurred when looking at objects at different distances. Some children have problems with over-regulation, and this extra strain can produce eye strain and headaches. If this over-regulation is too strong, it can force changes in the visual system and cause double shadows when looking at things. Thus, close schoolwork in school brings greater tension and stress to the visual system than teaching about looking at distances. Some young children will translate this stress into physical or emotional symptoms such as back or neck pain, headaches, limited perception, reduced visual space, and are prone to myopia, a physical and visual discomfort that can cause children to avoid reading activities.
Reading glasses can solve all of these problems. Convex lenses can relax children's adjustments and release stress on the visual system. In fact, a pair of low vision glasses can be very effective in keeping children visually comfortable during long periods of close reading in school, called "learning glasses".
Using bifocal glasses as reading glasses is a good choice for school-age children. Bifocal lenses only add the amount of vision needed to do homework, but do not change vision at a distance. For those with severe adjustment problems, visual training may also be required.
New lens technology gives children the flexibility to choose bifocal glasses. Many children prefer flat-topped bifocal glasses because separating the lines of different prescriptions will help children distinguish exactly where they are using to see far and where they are using to see close. However, some children and parents do not like the distinct "line of separation" in these glasses, so for them it is advisable to choose progressive bifocal glasses without a line of separation. The change in lenses is gradual and there is no visible line of demarcation. Another popular option is "half-moon" bifocal lenses, which have the same clear distinction in prescription as a bifocal lens with a line of demarcation, but when the lenses are placed on the child's face, they are not visible as a progressive bifocal lens.
Once a doctor gives a prescription for bifocal glasses or reading glasses, it is important that children wear them for all close up homework, especially at school or at home when doing homework. Sometimes, children may only need reading glasses for a few years as their ability to adjust their assemblies develops and improves. Other children may need the help of these additional close glasses throughout their school years and when they need to read a lot.
Bifocal glasses are an important tool and method that doctors often use for children who need up to eight hours a day to read or complete schoolwork. By attaching a lens to see closer, doctors are able to help adjust the child's adjustment system so that they can better control and remove pressure from their eyes, correct blurry vision, and relieve headaches, fatigue and other symptoms.
Many children's eyes have not yet fully developed and controlled the ability to focus, which relies on the adjustment of the lens in the eye to maintain a clear view of near images. Some children's eyes lack the ability to focus for long periods of time, so they can't see clearly after a while. Other children's eyes are not able to switch distances quickly, such as moving their eyes from the blackboard to the desk, so they feel blurred when looking at objects at different distances. Some children have problems with over-regulation, and this extra strain can produce eye strain and headaches. If this over-regulation is too strong, it can force changes in the visual system and cause double shadows when looking at things. Thus, close schoolwork in school brings greater tension and stress to the visual system than teaching about looking at distances. Some young children will translate this stress into physical or emotional symptoms such as back or neck pain, headaches, limited perception, reduced visual space, and are prone to myopia, a physical and visual discomfort that can cause children to avoid reading activities.
Reading glasses can solve all of these problems. Convex lenses can relax children's adjustments and release stress on the visual system. In fact, a pair of low vision glasses can be very effective in keeping children visually comfortable during long periods of close reading in school, called "learning glasses".
Using bifocal glasses as reading glasses is a good choice for school-age children. Bifocal lenses only add the amount of vision needed to do homework, but do not change vision at a distance. For those with severe adjustment problems, visual training may also be required.
New lens technology gives children the flexibility to choose bifocal glasses. Many children prefer flat-topped bifocal glasses because separating the lines of different prescriptions will help children distinguish exactly where they are using to see far and where they are using to see close. However, some children and parents do not like the distinct "line of separation" in these glasses, so for them it is advisable to choose progressive bifocal glasses without a line of separation. The change in lenses is gradual and there is no visible line of demarcation. Another popular option is "half-moon" bifocal lenses, which have the same clear distinction in prescription as a bifocal lens with a line of demarcation, but when the lenses are placed on the child's face, they are not visible as a progressive bifocal lens.
Once a doctor gives a prescription for bifocal glasses or reading glasses, it is important that children wear them for all close up homework, especially at school or at home when doing homework. Sometimes, children may only need reading glasses for a few years as their ability to adjust their assemblies develops and improves. Other children may need the help of these additional close glasses throughout their school years and when they need to read a lot.
Bifocal glasses are an important tool and method that doctors often use for children who need up to eight hours a day to read or complete schoolwork. By attaching a lens to see closer, doctors are able to help adjust the child's adjustment system so that they can better control and remove pressure from their eyes, correct blurry vision, and relieve headaches, fatigue and other symptoms.
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