7 Healthcast: Getting Glasses

Sydney Rogers never knew she needed glasses. Her mom got her daughter's eyes double-checked, a wise move as a new study shows many kids are wearing glasses they don't need.

Staci Rogers, Mother
"I'm really floored they would even put glasses on a child who may not need it."

Dr. Nathalie Azar, Mass Eye & Ear
"There's a trend among non pediatric ophthalmologist to give reading glasses to kids for reading, or for school work if they're struggling with school work and it's not a vision issue."

Specialists like pediatric ophthalmologists tend to prescribe the fewest glasses, optometrists the most. Unnecessary glasses, are not dangerous, but they are expensive.

It's common for kids to be mildly nearsighted, but many outgrow this by their early teens.

Another problem with unnecessary glasses, the "Harry Potter Syndrome". Yes, some kids demand glasses to be more like the big screen character.

Dr. Nathalie Azar, Mass Eye & Ear
"They can fake everything in the clinic, and squint. I can't see, like that. But we have our ways."

Pediatric ophthalmologists have tests that can objectively see if your child truly needs help to see.

If you have significant vision problems yourself, chances are greater that your child actually does need glasses.

If you have doubts, back up your child's eye exam with another doctor.