Plain-English Answers From a Pediatric Optometrist.
Articles on children's eye exams, vision and learning, myopia management, dry eye, and more, written by Dr. Christina Murray, OD, FCOVD.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
When Should My Baby Have Their First Eye Exam?
Most babies should have their first eye exam around 6 months old. Learn why early eye exams matter, what the doctor checks, and when to schedule sooner.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why School Vision Screenings Miss What We Catch
School vision screenings are helpful, but they are not the same as a full eye exam. Learn what screenings check, what they can miss, and when your child should see an eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
8 Signs Your Child Might Need Glasses
Squinting, headaches, eye rubbing, reading fatigue, and trouble seeing the board can all be signs your child may need glasses or a full eye exam.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
What to Expect at Your Child's First Eye Exam
Learn what happens during your child's first eye exam, what the doctor checks, how to prepare, and why a full eye exam is different from a vision screening.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Eye Care for Teens: What Changes After Age 12
Teen eye care changes as school demands, screen use, sports, contacts, driving, and myopia progression become more important. Learn when your teen should have an eye exam.
-
Reading & Learning
Concussion and Vision: Why Your Child's Headaches Are Not Going Away
Headaches after a concussion can be related to the eyes. Learn how concussion can affect focusing, eye teaming, light sensitivity, reading, and screen comfort.
-
Reading & Learning
Could Vision Be Why Your Child Struggles to Read?
Reading struggles can have many causes, but vision is one piece that is often overlooked. Learn how eye focusing, eye teaming, tracking, and visual comfort can affect reading.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Lazy Eye and Amblyopia: What Every Parent Should Know
Lazy eye, also called amblyopia, happens when vision does not develop normally in one or both eyes during childhood. Learn the signs, causes, and why early treatment matters.
-
Reading & Learning
Convergence Insufficiency: The Reading Problem Many Families Miss
Convergence insufficiency can make reading uncomfortable, tiring, and frustrating for children. Learn the signs, why it is often missed, and when to schedule an eye exam.
-
Myopia Management
Myopia in Kids Is Rising: What Every Parent Should Do Now
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming more common in children. Learn what signs parents should watch for, why early treatment matters, and when to ask about myopia management.
-
Myopia Management
MiSight vs ortho-K vs Atropine: Which Treatment Is Right?
MiSight, ortho-K, and atropine are common myopia management options for kids. Learn how they work, how they differ, and what parents should ask before choosing a treatment.
-
Myopia Management
When to Start Myopia Management: Earlier Is Better
Myopia management works best when parents ask early. Learn when to start, what signs to watch for, and why waiting until the prescription gets worse may limit your options.
-
Eye Health & Medical
Pink Eye vs Allergy Eye, How to Tell the Difference
Pink eye and eye allergies can both make a child's eyes red, watery, and irritated. Learn the differences, what symptoms matter, and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Eye Health & Medical
Dry Eye in South Florida, Why Our Climate Makes It Worse
Dry eye can happen even in humid South Florida. Learn how air conditioning, screens, allergies, wind, sun, pools, contact lenses, and tear film problems can make eyes feel dry, red, watery, or irritated.
-
Eye Health & Medical
When to Call Your Eye Doctor vs Go to the ER
Eye pain, redness, vision changes, injuries, flashes, floaters, and contact lens problems can be confusing. Learn when to call the eye doctor and when to go to the ER.
-
Eye Health & Medical
Floaters and Flashes: When to Worry
Floaters and flashes can be harmless, but they can also be warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment. Learn when to call the eye doctor right away.
-
Lifestyle
Screen Time and Your Kid's Eyes: What the Science Actually Says
Screen time can cause eye strain, dryness, headaches, blurry vision, and sleep disruption, but the science is more nuanced than 'screens are ruining kids' eyes.'
-
Lifestyle
Blue Light Glasses for Kids: Worth It or Hype?
Blue light glasses are popular for kids, but do they really help? Learn what parents should know about blue light, screen strain, sleep, headaches, and when an eye exam matters more.
-
Lifestyle
How to Choose Frames for Your Kid That Won't Fall Apart
Kids glasses need to fit well, stay comfortable, and survive real life. Learn how to choose durable frames, safer lenses, and the right fit for your child.
-
Lifestyle
The Truth About Reading Glasses: When, Why, and What to Expect
Reading glasses are common after age 40, but blurry near vision is not always simple. Learn when readers help, when you need an eye exam, and what options are available.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
How Often Should Kids Have Eye Exams?
Children need eye exams at different ages, even if they pass school screenings. Learn when babies, preschoolers, school age children, and teens should see an eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
What Does 20/20 Vision Actually Mean?
20/20 vision means your child can see clearly at a certain distance, but it does not mean every part of vision is working well. Learn what 20/20 does and does not tell you.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Can My Child Have 20/20 Vision and Still Need an Eye Exam?
Yes, a child can have 20/20 vision and still need an eye exam. Learn what 20/20 does not check, including focusing, eye teaming, eye health, reading comfort, and visual fatigue.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Squint Even If They Can See the Board?
Squinting can be a sign of blurry vision, eye strain, light sensitivity, focusing problems, or eye discomfort. Learn why a child may squint even if they seem to see the board.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
What Should I Bring to My Child's Eye Exam?
Bringing the right information to your child's eye exam can help the visit go more smoothly. Learn what to bring, what to write down, and how to prepare your child.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Does My Child Really Need to Wear Glasses All Day?
Some children need glasses all day, while others only need them for school, reading, screens, or distance. Learn why the wearing schedule depends on the prescription and reason for the glasses.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Did My Child's Glasses Prescription Change?
Children's glasses prescriptions can change as their eyes grow. Learn why prescriptions change, when it is normal, when to ask about myopia management, and what parents should watch for.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
What to Do If Your Child Refuses to Wear Glasses
If your child refuses to wear glasses, there may be a reason. Learn how to check comfort, fit, prescription, routine, confidence, and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Should My Child Get Glasses from the Eye Doctor or Online?
Online glasses can be tempting for kids, but fit, lens measurements, prescription accuracy, durability, and follow up adjustments matter. Learn when online glasses may be reasonable and when in office fitting is safer.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Kids Break Glasses and How to Pick Better Frames
Kids break glasses for real reasons. Learn why frames bend, slide, snap, or get lost, and how to choose better glasses that fit your child's face and daily life.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Does My Child Need a Backup Pair of Glasses?
A backup pair of glasses can save stress when your child's main pair breaks, gets lost, or is left at school. Learn when a second pair is worth it and when it matters most.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Cheap Kids Glasses May Cost More in the Long Run
Cheap kids glasses may seem like a good deal, but poor fit, weak frames, scratched lenses, and lack of warranty can cost more over time. Learn what parents should look for.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
When Can My Child Start Wearing Contact Lenses?
Many children can safely wear contact lenses when they are responsible enough for the routine. Learn the signs your child may be ready, safety rules, and when glasses are still needed.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Daily Contacts vs Monthly Contacts for Kids: Which Is Better?
Daily and monthly contact lenses can both work for children, but the best choice depends on hygiene, maturity, prescription, comfort, cost, sports, allergies, and eye health.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Contact Lenses for Kids Who Play Sports: What Parents Should Know
Contact lenses can help kids see better during sports, but they do not protect the eyes from injury. Learn when contacts help, when sport goggles are still needed, and what safety rules matter most.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Are Colored Contacts Safe for Kids and Teens?
Colored contacts can be safe only when they are prescribed, properly fit, and cared for correctly. Learn why costume contacts, cosplay lenses, and online colored contacts can be risky for kids and teens.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Can My Child Sleep, Swim, or Shower in Contact Lenses?
Kids and teens should not sleep, swim, or shower in contact lenses unless their eye doctor specifically says it is safe. Learn the risks, what to do if it happens, and how to protect your child's eyes.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Need a Contact Lens Exam If Their Prescription Has Not Changed?
Contact lenses need more than a glasses prescription. Learn why kids and teens need contact lens exams, what the doctor checks, and why contact lens prescriptions expire.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Are My Child's Contact Lenses Uncomfortable?
Contact lenses should feel comfortable. Learn why kids and teens may have contact lens discomfort, when to stop wearing lenses, and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Are My Child's Eyes Always Red, Itchy, or Watery?
Red, itchy, watery eyes in children are often allergies, but dry eye, pink eye, contact lenses, and irritation can look similar. Learn the clues and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Keep Getting Styes?
Styes and eyelid bumps are common in children, but repeated bumps may need an eye exam. Learn what causes styes, how to treat them, and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
What to Do If Your Child Gets Hit in the Eye
Eye injuries in children can look minor at first but still need care. Learn what to do after a hit, scratch, chemical splash, sports injury, or contact lens related injury.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Say Their Eyes Hurt?
Eye pain in children can come from dryness, allergies, strain, scratches, infection, injury, or contact lenses. Learn what parents can watch at home and when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Get Headaches After School?
Headaches after school can come from vision strain, screens, reading, dry eye, dehydration, migraine, stress, or concussion. Learn when an eye exam may help and when to call sooner.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Is My Child So Sensitive to Light?
Light sensitivity in children can come from bright sun, allergies, dry eye, migraine, concussion, scratches, inflammation, contact lenses, or eye infection. Learn when to call the eye doctor.
-
Pediatric Eye Care
Why Does My Child Blink So Much?
Excessive blinking in children can come from allergies, dry eye, eye strain, glasses needs, eye alignment, irritation, or a tic. Learn when to watch it and when to schedule an eye exam.