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Original poster

Toddler wore my glasses and now I am worried

164 replies

WaltzingTilda · 17/04/2021 09:48

My dd(3) briefly put my glasses on (about 5 to 10 seconds I guess but not sure) and I am so so worried if she would have damaged her eyesight because if this and would need to wear glasses Sad. I remember I used to do this for fun when I was a young child and since my teenage years I've had to wear glasses. None of my family wore glasses until they'd passed their 40s. Now I am worried if my dd would have to wear glasses be because she wore my glasses for a few seconds. An optician at specsavers once told me that a child's eyesight can get damaged if they wear glasses when they don't need to. I am freaking out now. I don't know why I am posting tbh, I am in tears now because of this. I hate and always have hated wearing glasses and the one thing I don't want for my dd is glasses. Does anyone know how long after wearing glasses does a child's eyesight get damaged?Sad

OP posts:
sunflowersandbuttercups · 17/04/2021 10:37

@dementedpixie

You even get prescription goggles and straps for doing sports so they aren't that inconvenient. Glasses shouldn't hold you back from doing what you want to do
They definitely are an inconvenience, and prescription goggles only help to an extent - the rain still hits them and they steam up and get blurry and obstruct your vision.

I can't wear contacts and glasses are a right pain. You can't see properly in the rain, you can't just pop a pair of sunglasses in your bag - you need to pay a fortune for prescription ones and remember to carry them with you. My astigmatism means lights are blurry at night, and it's even worse in the rain, which means night driving can be problematic.

I mean, yes, I cope with them but I wish I didn't need them. Unfortunately I can't have laser eye surgery either due to my prescription and astigmatism, so there's nothing I can do to make it better.

sorryforswearing · 17/04/2021 10:38

lens

Derbee · 17/04/2021 10:39

Jesus. Calm down. You can’t spend your life being this anxious about non issues, you will wear yourself out.

Interested in this thread?

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General health
RJnomore1 · 17/04/2021 10:40

I’m -6.5 and always wore contacts swimming but with normal goggles on top.

Original poster
WaltzingTilda · 17/04/2021 10:40

@RJnomore1 "a consultant" did some check on my left eye , he took a big paper clip from his bag and pressed it against my eye and ever since that eye is pain most days. I don't know if it was caused by that but it was ever since that was done. I spoke to a different Moorfield EH (branch) and they said forcthe person to have done that they must have a lot of experience and sort of insinuated that they must have known what they were doing. The eye doctor at the Moorfirld branch said it might just be a bruising of the eye and dismissed it. No one knows, not moorfield or any of the opticians I've been to since, can tell me why my eye is in pain. It's a mystery to all. It's been several years now.

OP posts:
Acovic · 17/04/2021 10:40

Your child has not damaged their eyesight.

This level of anxiety is really abnormal. Please speak to someone.

I also think you need to reframe your negativity around wearing glasses too. If you are a strong myope (ie. very short sighted) there is a significant chance your daughter will need to wear glasses too at some point and I'm worried that your very negative view could really colour her tolerance.

I have slightly better vision than you -6 vs. -8 and it is inconvenient but with modern contact lens technology there is very little that I can't do - I swim, scuba dive all with minimal limitation.

Have you thought about wearing your contact lenses more (eg. I put mine in before I go in the shower and am then careful to not get water in my eyes).

GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 17/04/2021 10:41

This isn’t a normal reaction op

RJnomore1 · 17/04/2021 10:41

Oh that’s awful I’m so sorry.

MeltsAway · 17/04/2021 10:49

I'd hate for my dd to have to wear them.

What on earth is wrong with wearing glasses? Is it better not to be able to see properly?

Sometimes, I think there are people who live in a parallel universe of panic and anxiety over the most normal things ....

Maggiesfarm · 17/04/2021 10:49

Your toddler will be OK. I remember my grandmother saying I would strain my eyes if I tried on her glasses. It was not true.

LightGreenLeaves · 17/04/2021 10:51

@arethereanyleftatall

Bless you, of course it hasn't damaged her eyesight.
This.

You’re not the person having a breakdown because their child won’t wear a hat outdoors are you ?

God everyone is slightly over the top ( stark staring mad today )

dementedpixie · 17/04/2021 10:52

[quote WaltzingTilda]@dementedpixie I am short sighted. I don't have a choice as far as I am aware , if I don't wear contacts when swimming i can't really see. I'd probably go crash into someone else. I've got -8 something prescription for glasses and -7 something prescriptions for contacts. I did get dds eyesight checked about a year ago (just before first lockdown) and her eyesight seemed okay. I think they said she needs to go back for a check after 2 tears unless I have concerns[/quote]
You get prescription goggles
Children can get an annual eye test

ddl1 · 17/04/2021 10:53

There is no problem, I am sure. Wearing glasses if you don't need to, or of the wrong sort for your eyes. might harm your eyesight if done on a regular basis or for long periods. But not for a few seconds or minutes!

Skyla2005 · 17/04/2021 10:54

Don't be ridiculous

Original poster
WaltzingTilda · 17/04/2021 10:55

@LightGreenLeaves No that's not me.

OP posts:
Skyla2005 · 17/04/2021 10:57

You do realise lots of children disabled or battling life limiting illnesses right ? If wearing glasses is a disaster for your child how on earth do you think their parents must feel get a grip of yourself

hilariousnamehere · 17/04/2021 11:01

OP, your little one will be absolutely fine - but I'd second pps requests, gently, to please see if you can talk to someone about your own anxiety around eyesight and glasses and your experience. I've worn glasses since I was four, my prescription now is -10 and -8.5, I have astigmatism, and I still drive, swim, dance, horse ride, dive (with a prescription mask), kayak. I've adapted to not being able to see in the shower and I carry glasses wipes in every pocket and bag - and getting my first pair was a revelation for me because suddenly I could see the world properly!

I'm really sorry that your own experience hasn't been positive but please don't let this affect your DD and how she perceives wearing glasses - glasses are just part of everyday life and can be so immensely positively life-changing!

Original poster
WaltzingTilda · 17/04/2021 11:07

@MeltsAway its better to wear them than not be able to see properly, of course. But I'd rather her not have to wear it at all really, meaning I'd rather she is able to see properly without them.

OP posts:
HoppingPavlova · 17/04/2021 11:07

I don't know if I have anxiety tbh, certainly didn't before having my dd, but who knows maybe I do now.

If you are worried that your DD will ‘have her eyesight ruined’ due to wearing your glasses for a brief period you do indeed. It’s the greater concern, above your DD’s eyes (which there is. nothing wrong with now and will not be in the future due to this incident). You need prolonged exposure to be affected and your definition of prolonged periods would not match with what would be required.

You didn’t start with glasses during your teenage years due to dress ups with glasses when you were young. That’s ridiculous.

Given eyesight and genetics though, I would anticipate your DD may well need glasses as a teenager just as you did. I wear glasses and have done since a teenager. Apart from having to tape up masks to my face when required in my career (I also used ant-fog spray but alone it was never enough), it’s not been a barrier or a faffle.

My DD tried to pull a swift as a teen as glasses are a real fashion accessory these days. She even managed to fool an optometrist into giving a mild script but I knew it was bunk and had the eye dept at the hosp check her with a heads up and she didn’t need them. I suspect that’s the case for a good 50% of her friends also as they all used to put glasses on and snap selfies endlessly. I ended up getting her a few frames of her choice with non prescription lenses. Seems that fixed the eyesight issueGrin. She has moved on in age but still accessorises with frames at least half the time.

Thesearmsofmine · 17/04/2021 11:08

It’s totally normal thing for a toddler to try on parents or grandparents glasses for a few seconds. Your reaction is not normal and you need to seek some help for your anxiety because that will be far more damaging to your daughter than trying on a pair of glasses for a few seconds.

Jellybabiesforbreakfast · 17/04/2021 11:10

My DH and I are born short-sighted so we have to accept there is a decent chance our DC will be short-sighted. It's not something we can change so why worry about it.

Wearing your glasses for a few seconds won't have done anything to your DC's eyesight, but one theory which is gaining traction is that increases in short-sightedness are due to children spending too much time indoors looking at near objects in dim light. So maybe sign your daughter up for an outdoor nursery or, if that is not an option, make sure you spend lots of time outdoors during holidays and at weekends.

HoppingPavlova · 17/04/2021 11:10

I still drive, swim, dance, horse ride, dive (with a prescription mask), kayak.

Yep, I also have a prescription dive and snorkel mask. One of my kids who does wear glasses and swims a lot has prescription swim goggles. Hardly the end of the earth or limiting.

greenfiish · 17/04/2021 11:15

I think most children have done this, all of mine certainly have.
It is very common to develop anxiety after children so please get help if you experience these sorts of reactions often.

Icantchangemyusername · 17/04/2021 11:16

Wtf? Is this for real?

AnOnly · 17/04/2021 11:17

@Skyla2005

You do realise lots of children disabled or battling life limiting illnesses right ? If wearing glasses is a disaster for your child how on earth do you think their parents must feel get a grip of yourself
That's a bit unfair. The OP only asked a question that she might not be able to ask friends/family in real life.