My 13 year old son has been prescribed glasses (accually for the 2nd time in his life), the 1st time we let it go (he was about 7 then), I think we were told he has 20/40 vision this time - needs them for Distance mainly. I have his perscription in front of me, have no idea what all this means, -150 for spherical listed twice in a row under distance and -050 listed twice under Cylinrical and Axis 15 and 20 underneath. Does anyone know if this is indeed 20/40 vision and should I make him wear these glasses against his will? I have resorted to grounding him until he can overcome this anger & depression about these glasses, I just don't know if I am doing the right thing, my question is really ...IF he doesn't wear these glasses, will his eyes get WORSE and what are the requirements in the United States to Drive a car without glasses if anyone knows. Thank you so much. :confused:

I'm a little confused. What is he depressed about?

ORWS:

This site will give you the vision requirements for each state.

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/drivingregs.html

Usually, children are less resistant to wearing glasses when they discover how their vision improves. Has your son actually worn the glasses at all? Not wearing them won't make his vision worse; however, some myopic children can need progressively stronger lenses into adulthood. Also, poor vision has got to interfere with his schoolwork, if he's not sitting at the front of the room.

The prescription means he has correction for distance and a slight astigmatism (axis measures the angle of astigmatism on the cornea). That prescription would indicate that his vision is 20/40 at best.

Other than telling him how clear everything will be if he wears the glasses, I can't suggest anything practical. If his vision gets worse in the next three years, he'll have to wear glasses to get his licence, whether he wants to or not.

Torre

Why can't he get contact lenses?

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. They have disposable ones that can be worn night and day for two weeks. They are very comfortable.

Before I got contacts, I wore prescription sunglasses a lot.

I can really identify with the way he feels. It can't be easy getting fitted for glasses at 13. Other kids can be really cruel.

There is no reason why he has to wear them all the time. I am nearsighted and one of the problems I had with glasses it that they made things up close blurry, so I was constantly taking them on and off in school.

With contacts, I don't have that problem.

Right now, I wouldn't force him. His vision probably doesn't bother him. If I were you, I would let it be his decision.

Thank you for all your replys, he also does not want anything to do with contact lenses. Yes, he has worn his glasses-alot because I made him, but claims he doens't need them, especially close up. He can see close up good with them and without. He never did get headaches etc like some kids for straining their eyes at a distance. He only flunked the test they gave in school, that is why he got glasses. We have come to a happy conclusion that HE WILL wear them for distance viewing only- and he finally agreed to live with that, although if it was up to him, he would prefer to see distances a little blurry. He is very stubborn. I was making him wear them all the time and this was making him have the attitude. Even brought tears a few times. So I think we resolved it. I learned in the past few days in PA , your vision has to be 20/30 to drive, and I think his is 20/40 right now, so he KNOWS he will HAVE to wear glasses to drive in a few years. Thank you all for your help. He is also planning to get the Laser surgery in his early 20's.

I've always had very bad eyes (so getting angry at wearing glasses wasn't an option, I NEEDED them to walk about). I was able to get hard contacts at age 12 (and this is 25 years ago), so I'm betting he can do that.
As for driving, it varies by state, but generally 20/40 will do the trick, sometimes even as bad as 20/50 if he has good field of vision, etc (any worse than that, though, and he's outta luck)
I'm afraid I can't say how much better he'll see with the glasses on, as the best I've ever been able to see with correction is how he sees without correction... but I'm guessing if you get the glasses (and not from a place like Walmart or Cosco - the quality really IS different) and he tries them out, he'll at least want to wear them around the house.. and maybe he can go from there?

Good luck, I'm sure this is tough on all of you.