How Do I Know if My Baby Needs Spectacles?

How Do I Know If My Baby Needs Glasses? Signs to Watch Out For

Babies and young children can’t tell us if they’re having trouble seeing, so it’s important to watch for subtle signs that may suggest a vision issue. If you notice any of the behaviours below, it’s a good idea to book an eye examination with a paediatric optometrist for a closer look.

Squinting 

If your baby squints often, it could be their way of trying to see more clearly. This is sometimes linked to refractive errors like short-sightedness or long-sightedness.

Tilting their head or covering one eye 

This behaviour may be a sign of eye misalignment (strabismus) or amblyopia (lazy eye), where one eye isn’t working as well as the other.

Frequent eye rubbing 

While all babies rub their eyes now and then, doing it often can suggest eye strain, fatigue, or general visual discomfort.

Irritability after looking at things

Toddlers might not say they have a headache, but if they become unsettled or frustrated after visual tasks, it could be a sign of eye strain or pain.

Struggling to focus or pay attention

Vision problems can make it harder to concentrate on activities that involve seeing clearly—like looking at books, puzzles, or people’s faces.

Unusual eye movements or poor tracking

Rapid flicking movements, lack of eye contact, or not following objects as expected may indicate a developmental or vision-related concern.

When Does a Baby Need Spectacles?

There are specific situations where a baby may need to wear spectacles. One such instance is when a baby is born with congenital cataracts—a condition where the lens inside one or both eyes is cloudy instead of clear. This can occur at birth or develop within the first year of life.

What Does This Mean for the Baby?

When a baby has a cataract, their vision through the affected eye(s) is significantly reduced. Because clear vision is essential for the brain and eyes to work together during early development, this disruption can interfere with the development of normal sight and proper eye coordination.

How Are Congenital Cataracts Treated?

Treatment typically involves surgery. An ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens as early as possible. Later—often several months or years after the initial surgery—the baby may receive an artificial lens implant.

In the time between these two procedures, the child will need to wear glasses or contact lenses to support healthy visual development.

Choosing Spectacles for Your Baby

There are two main components to consider when selecting glasses for your baby: the frames and the lenses.

Frame Considerations:

Because babies are active and frequently move their heads or bump into things, it’s important to choose frames that are:

• Flexible and Durable: Frames should be strong yet flexible to withstand rolling, crawling, and everyday wear.

• Secure with a Head Strap: A comfortable, adjustable head strap helps keep the glasses in place and at the correct angle.

• Lightweight: To balance the weight of the lenses, choose the lightest frame possible without sacrificing durability.

• Adjustable: Look for frames with adjustable temple arms and interchangeable nose bridges to accommodate different face shapes and sizes.

Lens Considerations:

The type of lenses your baby will need depends on their prescription. Standard prescriptions often fall within the range of +3 to -3 diopters. For higher prescriptions, specialised lenses may be required.

What Are Higher Index Lenses?

Higher index lenses are made from materials that bend light more efficiently. This allows them to be thinner and lighter while still providing the necessary correction. These lenses are particularly helpful for stronger prescriptions and can reduce the bulk and weight of traditional lenses.

What If My Baby Has a Very High Prescription?

For prescriptions beyond the typical range—such as +20 or higher—we use a specialized type of lens called a lenticular lens. These lenses concentrate the prescription in the center, making the edges much thinner and more lightweight. This design improves both the appearance and comfort of the glasses.

Because lenticular lenses are custom-made, they are usually more expensive and often need to be sourced from specialist lens laboratories, either in Australia or internationally. We have experience in sourcing these lenses and can provide a cost estimate prior to placing an order. These lenses offer excellent vision with less distortion compared to standard high-prescription lenses.

How Can For Eyes Optometrist Help?

At For Eyes Optometrist, we are committed to finding the most suitable lenses for babies with higher prescriptions. We understand that these situations can be time-sensitive—especially when lenses need to be sourced from international suppliers—and we work hard to balance quality, delivery time, and cost to ensure the best outcome for your child.

Seeing a baby experience clear vision for the first time—particularly after a diagnosis like congenital cataracts—is incredibly rewarding. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do, and we’re honoured to be part of your child’s journey toward better sight.