How We Knew Our 1 Year Old Needed Glasses

I’ve received several questions recently on Amelia’s glasses and how we knew our 1 year old needs glasses already, at such a young age. Honestly, I didn’t even notice she might be having trouble seeing. She would see and wave to James or I from far distances and at Disneyland she could point to characters up on stage (and we weren’t sitting close). So when the doctor told me she was making a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist, I was surprised. I thought “does my child need glasses, already? This seems so crazy, she doesn’t have any issues seeing.”

For us it was at her 18 month appointment. They said they’re starting to check kids’ eyes earlier and working to correct vision issues while their eyes are still developing. At her appointment the nurse stood a few feet away from us and had her look at this box with holes in it. Don’t ask me what it was or how it works, but it gets some kind of measurements. During the appointment the doctor said her left eye scored low and she’d make the referral.

So off to the ophthalmologist we went.  I was nervous about how it all would go, but it was pretty standard. They dilated her eyes, check them with different lenses and finally checked her eye pressure. For Amelia, she is near-sided (can’t see far distances) in her left eye. The doctor said it’s hard to know the true deficit because Amelia can’t tell us, but there is definitely a difference and she wrote a prescription for glasses.

I have to admit, at first I was really upset. I don’t know why, it’s just glasses and we all love them, especially from a fashion standpoint, right? They’re a little bit of a statement piece. Anyway after calling my mom, and realizing things could be dramatically worse, I got over it. I mean she is so darn cute in them.

The first day I got them, I put them on her, and I cannot even explain the brief moment of joy on her face and in her eyes when she looked at me with them on. It was like you saw that moment of clarity for her and her abilty to see. You guys, I almost started crying. There were a ton of emotions and questions running through my head. Like, why didn’t I know earlier she couldn’t see well?  I’m happy we got her glasses now so she doesn’t get worse. How in the world are we going to get her to keep these on?

Her first day was rough, she pulled them off every 5-10 minutes….ALL DAY. But after that we have been consistent with putting them on her every morning, and she is doing great with them. In fact, if we take them off to clean the lenses she fusses and reaches for them until you put them back on. Of course, when she’s board in the car or really tired we have a harder time keeping them on, but generally we can put them on and she continues to play.

James + I Wear Glasses, Our Experience With Warby Parker

I guess I shouldn’t have been all that surprised she would need glasses. James has terrible vision and I have astigmatism, although not too bad, I still require glasses at times. James and I are due for new glasses ourselves and recently tried frames from Warby Parker. Have you guys tried them?

My favorite thing is you can try different frames in the comfort of your own home. You create an account, fill out your style preferences and finally pick out five frames. They’re all sent to you and you try them for five days. After the five days you send them back and order the frames you loved. So EASY right? Well, at least I loved it! As a busy mom and James working crazy hours for a start-up, we don’t have the time to spend in the Eyeglass store picking out and trying on frames. So this option was perfect for us!

Do you all have any experience with kids and glasses? I’d love to hear your story or any suggestions you have found helpful with your kids and their glasses.

Please comment or send any questions you have my way. I’m not an expert, but I can answer them based on our experience and knowing how our 1 year needs glasses.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a fantastic week!

Kallie’s Outfit:

Amelia’s Outfit:

Tee from Zara, linked other cute options here

James’ Look: tee from last year. but linked to same brand