Don’t put asymptomatic children in weak reading glasses.

Rationale and Comments

Low “farsightedness” is a normal finding in children. Children can easily focus to see at near, with their large accommodative reserve. If the reading glasses prescription is low (less than +2.00 diopters), their innate ability to focus can be used to see clearly at both distance and near. If the eyes are not crossed, prescription of weak glasses is generally not necessary.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

Sources

• Expert consensus

Disciplines

• Ophthalmologic
• Pediatric

References

• Donahue SP. How often are spectacles prescribed to “normal” preschool children? J AAPOS. 2004;8:224-9.