You know the rules.  No prescription advice here.  ;-)

Here’s a question I forgot to answer yesterday, from the forum:

I’ve also bought her a pair of +1.25 lenses for computer work, and also for reading when she starts to do it a little more. Is that a good prescription strength for prevention in a kindergartener?

I’ve seen parents go quite a bit higher on the plus lens, as much as +2 or +2.50 for children who have absolutely no myopia.

This is a tricky one, to post like this, without context.

(or rather knowing that it’ll end up getting taken out of context)

The two plus* diopters will move the focal plane forward in the child’s eyes, to counteract the effect of all that close-up vision (to some degree).  This will be reasonably effective only if the child isn’t allowed to compensate for the plus by moving closer to the screen or page.

*plus, as in the opposite of minus lenses.  think reading glasses instead of distance vision glasses.

not-this-kid

This defeats the purpose.

It takes a bit of … habit building (you know it!) and training to get the child to work with the plus lens.

Setting up an environment conducive to good posture and distance is a key aspect of using plus lenses as myopia prevention tool.

Here’s an example of what isn’t that conducive environment:

too-close-again

Obvious, yes?

If you’re into eyesight health, you know all about centimeter distance.  You know that centimeters equal diopter correction, and that low centimeter is a bad thing for long term eyesight health.

Lenses alone never solve the issue.  Rather, the formula is:

Centimeters + Preventative Lens Wear

Or really, centimeter + preventative lens wear + focus challenge + outdoor breaks + full spectrum ambient light.

Here’s some better distance:

child_reader_308x225

Although in that example, we’re not looking at great long term spine health or low risk for neck pain issues.

I like book stands.

And in general, a planned, conscious space for child close-up.

Once all that is in play, a +2.00 reading glass lens may make sense, to go with the reading and homework.

It’s a tricky thing to put out there, since it really is a number of pieces, all of which have to be considered.  I picture the parent buying a cheap pair of reading glasses, yelling at the kid to always wear those.  And then when that doesn’t yield a myopia-free youth, I’m the bad guy.

You know what I mean.

This is why I don’t like to make blanket statements, oversimplifying prevention.

However if you yourself are actively improving your eyesight successfully, and are wondering how to apply all the things you know in a prevention type scenario, then above is a good start for you.  For anyone with first hand experience with prescription reductions, improving centimeters, improving distance vision, feel free to give that a try.

And if you do, 50% of the close-up with the plus is usually fine.  It doesn’t need to be a completely religious, all-the-time thing.

Some parents find it easier to make it all the time  since the child will be less inclined to notice the difference (easier times) being without the plus.  That way the plus won’t be likely to be seen as inconvenient or worse even, punishment.  And there isn’t the question of whether enough plus is in play.

That’s one way.  Another way is me being generally wary of a whole lot of lens use, of any kind.

And besides all of that, psychology, the motivation is more than anything going to determine your success with child myopia prevention.

Here’s an old article on the topic, from Alex.  Some good ideas there, “superhero vision”.

Got this on Instagram the other day:

2015-08-28 02.47.58

Seen those desks before.  A Chinese thing, if memory serves.  Simple, and brilliant.

I hope you find these articles helpful!

Cheers,

-Jake