When children start wearing glasses, it can be surprising to notice their eyes turning inward more noticeably when they aren’t wearing them. This change is actually common and has to do with how glasses help children’s eyes work together.
Understanding Why Eyes Turn Inward
When a child’s eye turns inward, it’s called esotropia. This can happen in one eye or alternate between both. Sometimes it’s always turned in, while other times it comes and goes. Here are a few reasons why esotropia might happen:
- Focusing Effort: Some kids’ eyes turn inward because they have to focus harder, especially if they’re farsighted. Glasses reduce this strain, helping the eyes to focus without turning in.
- Muscle Imbalance: Sometimes, the eyes may turn in due to muscle issues that require surgery to correct. In some cases, it’s a mix of focusing and muscle issues, where glasses alone aren’t enough.
- Why It’s Important: Left unchecked, an eye that turns inward can lead to a “lazy eye,” where one eye doesn’t develop as strongly as the other. Glasses are used to reduce eye turning by helping the eyes focus better.
Why Eyes Might Turn Inward Without Glasses
Once kids get used to wearing glasses, their eyes rely on the lenses to work together easily. Without them, the eyes have to strain to focus again, so you might see more of a turn.
This doesn’t mean glasses make the eyes lazy. Instead, they support the eyes to work together as a team, reducing unnecessary strain.
When Eye Turns Start After Glasses
Sometimes kids with higher levels of farsightedness don’t have an eye turn until they start wearing glasses. With glasses, they see clearly without straining. But when they take the glasses off, their eyes may turn inward more to try and regain focus.
Key Points to Remember
- Glasses don’t make the eyes “lazy”; they support healthy eye function.
- Turning may seem more noticeable without glasses because the eyes adapt to the help glasses provide.
- Regular check-ups ensure your child’s eyes are developing well and that any eye turn is managed early.
Make sure to bring your child back for the recommended reviews. If you notices changes or have concerns, it’s best to reach out to our friendly expert optoemtrists. We are always happy to help.