5 year old DS has astigmatism (rugby ball shape) eyes. Is the computer use causing it?

[Carolhh]

Hi, we will need to go back in 6 months, as the optician said this can increase or it can improve. Currently no glasses given, I really hope that he doean't get glasses. Should I stop the computer use? He does use it to watch some kids programmes everyday, and I am starting to wonder if this is causing it. Other than that he seems healthy. Will he get glasses in 6 months? Thanks

Another voice to say I was diagnosed with short sight and astigmatism when I was 5, and started wearing glasses. We barely watched TV when I was a kid (strict parents!) and my only computer use was the BBC micro that the primary school owned that got wheeled from classroom to classroom on a trolley!

Astigmatism is incredibly common. Most people with a prescription have some degree of it. It's not a condition, etc it's just part of a prescription.

Kids eyes can change rapidly at that age. Try and encourage him to wear his glasses as much as possible .

Oh and I am short sighted but apparently it's not a strong prescription lense

What was the prescription OP?

My mum has astigmatism. Definitely not caused by screens as she had it before they even had a TV at home.

She has worn glasses/contact lenses, but not when she was very young, only from her teens upwards. Just keep an eye on it.

I was amazed that trees weren’t just big green lollipops the day I got my first pair of specs, I asked my mum what the shapes on the tree were. “Those are leaves, pet, couldn’t you see them before now?”
This was a revelation.
It was a teacher at my school who suggested I needed an eye test, I had to move closer to the front as I couldn’t see the blackboard. My schoolwork improved as I could actually see the writing on the blackboard.

2 of my 3 boys have astigmatism and wear glasses. One of them has worn glasses since reception, the other was at secondary before he did. My husband has it, his mum has it, there is definitely a hereditary component to it.