 |
|
Kids think eyeglasses make other kids look smart
May 13, 2008COLUMBUS, Ohio - Young children tend to think that other kids with glasses look smarter than kids who don't wear glasses, according to a new study.
Children between the ages of 6 and 10 who were surveyed for the study also thought that kids wearing glasses looked more honest than children who don't wear glasses.
Otherwise, the survey suggested that children don't tend to judge the attractiveness of their peers who wear glasses when asked about their appearance, potential as a playmate or likely athletic abilities.
The findings might give children some comfort when they are fitted with their first pair of eyeglasses, said lead study author Jeffrey Walline, assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University.
"If the impression of looking smarter will appeal to a child, I would use that information and tell the child it is based on research," Walline said. "Most kids getting glasses for the first time are sensitive about how they're going to look. Some kids simply refuse to wear glasses because they think they'll look ugly."
The study is published in the May issue of the journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.
Walline surveyed children in this age range because they are more likely to be prescribed eyeglasses than contact lenses. Generally, children with nearsightedness are diagnosed with myopia and receive their first corrective lenses at around age 8. Teen-agers were not surveyed because they are routinely fitted with contact lenses if they want them.
For the study, Walline and colleagues assembled a series of 24 pairs of pictures of children for comparison. The children in each pair differed by gender and ethnicity, and each pair included one child with glasses and one child without glasses.
Eighty young children - 42 girls and 38 boys - were surveyed. Of those, 30 kids (38 percent) wore glasses, 34 had at least one sibling with glasses and almost two-thirds had at least one parent who wore glasses.
The questionnaire featured six questions, many based on similar studies in adults. When presented with each pair of photos, the participants were asked which of the two children pictured: would you rather play with; looks smarter; looks better at playing sports; do you think is better looking; looks more shy; and looks more honest?
On average, two thirds of the participating children said they thought that kids wearing glasses looked smarter than kids not wearing glasses. And 57 percent of the participants said they thought kids with glasses appeared to be more honest. Both kids with and without glasses thought other kids wearing glasses looked smarter.
Walline said the findings suggest that media portrayals associating spectacles with intelligence may be reinforcing a stereotype that even young children accept.
In the case of the other four questions in the survey, the answers were not consistent enough to suggest that glasses made a difference in how the kids felt about the pictures they were examining.
Other trends emerged, however, that had nothing to do with whether the kids in the pictures were wearing glasses and which supported conventional wisdom about kids' opinions. Both boys and girls said they thought that boys appeared to be better at playing sports. Boys indicated they would rather play with boys, and girls said they would prefer playing with girls. Both boys and girls thought the opposite gender looked more shy. Girls also were more likely than boys to pick their own gender when asked which child looked more honest.
The fact that the question of attractiveness yielded no significantly different answers for children with or without glasses suggests that kids don't automatically consider kids with glasses to be unattractive, Walline said.
"The concern about attractiveness with glasses seems to be more internal to a particular child rather than an indicator of how they'll feel about other people who wear glasses," Walline said.
Walline conducted the study with Loraine Sinnott, Anita Ticak, Sylvia Jones and Lisa Jones of Ohio State's College of Optometry, and Erica Johnson of the Southern California College of Optometry.
Ohio State University
The findings might give children some comfort when they are fitted with their first pair of eyeglasses, said lead study author Jeffrey Walline, assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University.
"If the impression of looking smarter will appeal to a child, I would use that information and tell the child it is based on research," Walline said. "Most kids getting glasses for the first time are sensitive about how they're going to look. Some kids simply refuse to wear glasses because they think they'll look ugly."
The study is published in the May issue of the journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.
Walline surveyed children in this age range because they are more likely to be prescribed eyeglasses than contact lenses. Generally, children with nearsightedness are diagnosed with myopia and receive their first corrective lenses at around age 8. Teen-agers were not surveyed because they are routinely fitted with contact lenses if they want them.
For the study, Walline and colleagues assembled a series of 24 pairs of pictures of children for comparison. The children in each pair differed by gender and ethnicity, and each pair included one child with glasses and one child without glasses.
Eighty young children - 42 girls and 38 boys - were surveyed. Of those, 30 kids (38 percent) wore glasses, 34 had at least one sibling with glasses and almost two-thirds had at least one parent who wore glasses.
The questionnaire featured six questions, many based on similar studies in adults. When presented with each pair of photos, the participants were asked which of the two children pictured: would you rather play with; looks smarter; looks better at playing sports; do you think is better looking; looks more shy; and looks more honest?
On average, two thirds of the participating children said they thought that kids wearing glasses looked smarter than kids not wearing glasses. And 57 percent of the participants said they thought kids with glasses appeared to be more honest. Both kids with and without glasses thought other kids wearing glasses looked smarter.
Walline said the findings suggest that media portrayals associating spectacles with intelligence may be reinforcing a stereotype that even young children accept.
In the case of the other four questions in the survey, the answers were not consistent enough to suggest that glasses made a difference in how the kids felt about the pictures they were examining.
Other trends emerged, however, that had nothing to do with whether the kids in the pictures were wearing glasses and which supported conventional wisdom about kids' opinions. Both boys and girls said they thought that boys appeared to be better at playing sports. Boys indicated they would rather play with boys, and girls said they would prefer playing with girls. Both boys and girls thought the opposite gender looked more shy. Girls also were more likely than boys to pick their own gender when asked which child looked more honest.
The fact that the question of attractiveness yielded no significantly different answers for children with or without glasses suggests that kids don't automatically consider kids with glasses to be unattractive, Walline said.
"The concern about attractiveness with glasses seems to be more internal to a particular child rather than an indicator of how they'll feel about other people who wear glasses," Walline said.
Walline conducted the study with Loraine Sinnott, Anita Ticak, Sylvia Jones and Lisa Jones of Ohio State's College of Optometry, and Erica Johnson of the Southern California College of Optometry.
Ohio State University
Eyeglasses Current Events and Eyeglasses News RSSCataract surgery helps AMD patients; steroid improves DME; online eye health forum
This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) reports on a national study that finds cataract surgery is likely to benefit patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at all stages of the disease, on a clinical trial showing that the steroid triamcinolone may be effective in advanced diabetic macular edema (DME) patients when standard treatment fails, and on the public's use of two Academy-sponsored online eye health forums.
Lotus Plant-Inspired Dust-Busting Shield to Protect Space Gear
A plant that lives along muddy waterways in Asia has inspired a NASA team to develop a special coating to prevent dirt and even bacteria from sticking to and contaminating the surfaces of spaceflight gear.
Vision impairment costs billions lost in productivity
Corrected vision impairment could prevent billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.
Violent Video Games Can Improve Vision
Video killed the radio star, the old song goes - but violent video games, a new Tel Aviv University study finds, can also improve the real-world vision of teens who play them.
Serious vision problems in urban preschoolers rare but not that rare, Hopkins study shows
In what is believed to be the first comprehensive eye disease study among urban pre-schoolers, Johns Hopkins investigators report that while vision problems are rare, they are more common than once thought. Also, they say, a small group of children with easily treatable visions problems go untreated, while others get treatments they don't need.
MU researchers find clue to cataract formation
It is the No. 1 line-item cost of Medicare reimbursement and affects more than 20 million people in the United States. Cataracts, which can have devastating effects on the eye, affect 42 percent of the population between the ages of 70 and 80, and 68 percent of the population over the age of 80.
TAU Researchers Discover Correlation Between Birth Month and Short-Sightedness
Planning for a summer delivery for your child? You might want to choose an ophthalmologist along with an obstetrician.
Do I know you? QBI researchers identify woman's struggle to recognize new faces
The woman's condition, known as prosopamnesia, is extremely rare and has only been found in a handful of people around the world, according to University of Queensland cognitive neuroscientist Professor Jason Mattingley.
UW-Madison researchers clear way to stronger glass
Look at your window-not out it, but at it. Though the window glass looks clear, if you could peer inside the pane you would see a surprising molecular mess, with tiny particles jumbled together any which way.
Researchers gain insight into why brain areas fail to work together in autism
Researchers have found in two studies that autism may involve a lack of connections and coordination in separate areas of the brain.
More Eyeglasses Current Events and Eyeglasses News Articles
 |
Ray Ban RX 5095 2000 Black Eyeglasses by Ray-Ban |
 |
Retro Rockers - Clear - Eyeglasses With Attitude, Black by Boomer Eyeware Our famous Retro Rockers now available in a non magnifying clear UV protected lens. Classic Retro designer cool fashion accessory. You can wear these anywhere all the time. A great complement to whatever you are wearing....Please note that sometimes not all colors are available in all powers all of the time. We will contact you if your first color choice is not available. By choosing "Let Us Choose" as your color choice we will pick a great color for you. This way you will avoid any delay receive these cool specs in a very timely manner. |
 |
AUTHENTIC DIOR CD 3691 CD3691 SWM BLACK SEMI MATTE PLASTIC EYEGLASSES EYEWEAR 52 mm by Christian Dior Get $10 OFF your 1st purchase of any CHRISTIAN DIOR 3691 Eyeglasses. All CHRISTIAN DIOR items are 100% brand new Authentic. They come complete with certificate of authenticity as well as protective case and dust cloth. |
 |
GUESS GU-1478 GU1478 Black BLK Optical Frame Eyeglasses 51x15 by GUESS Through their innovative designs, marketing and distribution of fashion lifestyle products, GUESS has become one of the most widely recognized fashion leaders in the young contemporary women's, men's kids market. |
 |
Ray Ban RX 5121 2000 Black Eyeglasses by Ray-Ban |
 |
Fashion Plastic Frame 2-Tone Reading Glass with 2-Tone Leather Case - Black & Pink +1.25 by Urban Boundaries Who says reading glasses can't be fashionable? Our Fashion Plastic Frame Reading Glasses come in 5 fashion 2-tone color combinations. They're lightweight and comfortable and available in 10 strengths. |
 |
Eyeglasses Wayfarel black, tortoise brown clear lens 2pc by Boomer Eyeware |
 |
Fix-all Sunglass / Eyeglass Repair Kit by Unknown 1 keychain with mini flat and philips tip, assorted screw sizes , noise pieces, assorted rubber washers and nuts. |
 |
Ray Ban RX 5095 2240 Forest Green/Tortoise Eyeglasses by Ray-Ban RayBan eyewear are lightweight acetate combines superbly with lustrous metal finishes for a blend of comfort and style that suits every occasion. All the models in the collection flaunt the distinctive Ray-Ban signature on arms and lenses. |
 |
DOLCE & GABBANA D&G 5013 062 METAL EYEGLASSES, 49mm-17mm by Dolce & Gabbana * DOLCE & GABBANA D&G 5013 062 METAL EYEGLASSES * D&G CASE AND CLEANING CLOTH * MANUFACTURER INFORMATION/CARE BOOKLET |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |