My niece is 5 years old, we recently checked her eyes and found out that she has +7.5 eyes number. We don't want glasses. Help!

Question

Brian Davis, MD · Answer

I agree with Dr. Russo in that glasses are probably the best option. As a Lasik surgeon, I think surgery is not a good option because your niece's prescription will likely change as she ages and her eyes grows with her body. Her prescription may even improve. Contact lenses may be a possibility but she would need help with the contact lenses on a daily basis for a while and she would need to be watched carefully. A Pediatric Ophthalmologist is the eye doctor most experienced with this type of problem.

Joseph Dello Russo, MD · Answer

Dr. Dello Russo responds:   Generally speaking this child needs to wear glasses. Why? Without wearing glasses and getting associated muscle training, one eye often crosses, known as a "lazy eye".     The crossing of the eye will result in the brain shutting off the reception of vision from that lazy eye which also allows the eye to remain crossed. The lazy eye will not be able to achieve 20/20 even with glasses in time.    If the eye is crossed now then the child generally needs: 1)  wearing glasses at all times. 2) patching of the GOOD eye. 3) vision trading, and possibly 4) muscle surgery.   Bottom line, take her to a pediatric ophthalmologist.

My niece is 5 years old, we recently checked her eyes and found out that she has +7.5 eyes number. We don't want glasses. Help!

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My niece is 5 years old, we recently checked her eyes and found out that she has +7.5 eyes number. We don't want glasses. Help!

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Everything you need to know about LASIK

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.