Can You Tell If a Child Is Pretending They Can’t See?

It’s not unusual for parents to wonder if their child is “faking it” when they say they can’t see, especially if glasses seem appealing to them. The good news is that pediatric eye specialists can reliably tell the difference between a real vision problem and a playful fib.

One of the key tools used is retinoscopy, a test that allows the doctor to measure whether a child is nearsighted, farsighted, or has astigmatism. This doesn’t rely on the child’s responses, so it provides an accurate picture of their vision.

In some cases, doctors also use placebo lenses to confirm whether a child truly needs glasses. If the child’s eyes are healthy, these tests will reveal that their vision is just fine.

So, if your child insists they can’t see, rest assured that an eye exam can quickly uncover whether glasses are needed—or if it’s simply a passing phase.