It’s not always easy to know when your child needs glasses. Some signs that you should look for are eye strain, headaches, squinting, and difficulty reading text in the distance. Once you identify these symptoms it is important to take your child to an ophthalmologist who can conduct a full examination. From there they will be able to determine if your kid has any troubles with vision or other conditions which could benefit from glasses. There are many options available when it comes to purchasing glasses for children of all ages so finding the right pair of eyeglasses for your child is not always easy. As you consider different styles, consider what will work best for your child’s age, lifestyle, and personality.
What are the Best Frames for Kids?
If your kid is active, then plastic or rubber frames are more durable than metal ones which might break more easily. It may seem like high-end designer brands would be better but kids tend to destroy things no matter how much money was spent on them so there isn’t much point in buying expensive glasses if they’ll end up broken.
For younger children, glasses that are responsive to the environment are often a good idea. For example, if your kid goes swimming with their friends on the weekend you will want to get frames made of hypoallergenic materials which can resist chlorine. Or, if your child spends a lot of time in front of the screen, consider getting them children’s blue light glasses that can help reduce eyestrain. If your child is very active you may want sports eyeglasses with rubber or plastic nose pads and arms so they hold on better while running around outside or at school.
As children get older, they become more interested in fashion so it makes sense to take their style preferences into account when choosing frames for them. It is important to remember that appearance really isn’t everything when it comes to glasses but some kids just need visual aids that fit into their lives without being too obvious about it.
What About Sunglasses?
Sunglasses tend to be a bit trickier to buy than regular eyeglasses for kids. For example, if your child is very sensitive to light or they need glasses only in bright environments then you will want blue blocker lenses that reduce the number of strong lights reaching their eyes. This type of lens is particularly useful during car rides where there are lots of headlights and street lamps. If your kid needs sunglasses because their eyes are sensitive, then consider UV-protected lenses as well since they protect from high-energy ultraviolet light which can also cause damage to the eyes.
The most important thing about buying sunglasses for children is making sure they like them and feel comfortable wearing them. Make sure they fit properly and check with your optometrist to determine if your child will need a strap or other accessories which might keep them from losing them.
How Can You Make Sure They Like Their Glasses?
The best way to make sure your kid likes the glasses you buy for them is to allow them to pick out frames themselves. Kids are naturally drawn to cartoon characters and other fun shapes so it’s OK if they want Mickey Mouse or Dora The Explorer on their eyeglasses; most kids find these types of choices amusing rather than embarrassing, particularly if their classmates do too.
Some options that grown-ups might consider silly (such as hearts or stars) are perfect for young children because they’re less likely to feel embarrassed about wearing eyewear that looks cool from their point of view. Getting kids to like their new glasses is easy if you buy them the “right” frames.
Aside from this, it would be best to seek the professional advice of licensed eye experts such as EyeQ Optometrists. An experienced optometrist can assess your child’s vision using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and techniques and design the most suitable eyeglasses that suit his needs. The optometrists can recommend the best glasses based on a thorough assessment and interview of your child to accommodate color, frame, and other personalization requests. That way, you ensure that your child receives the best eyecare under the supervision of an expert.
What Should I Avoid?
Even though your kid might be getting very excited about wearing glasses, it is important that they know not to wear them all the time. Glasses are designed to correct vision problems and go on the face only when necessary. Because of this, it makes sense for children wearing glasses to take them off for activities that don’t require visual aids, otherwise, they will get less value from their glasses over time if they always wear them. Kids often think eyeglasses make everything look better, so parents and teachers need to remind them that strong lenses can hurt eyes just as easily as benefit them during fun activities.
What If the Glasses are Lost?
If your kid loses their glasses, make sure to take them back to where you got them for an affordable replacement. Ask about how much it costs to replace lenses or frames which can help lower the overall cost of buying eyeglasses for children. Depending on the size of your family and your vision insurance, this might be something that parents have to pay out-of-pocket so before making any final decisions discuss all options with your eye doctor or optometrist.
You can discuss new features of glasses with the optometrist to avoid a similar incident. For instance, you can choose eyeglasses with lanyard-like straps or similar features to avoid misplacing them. Eyeglass covers and bags are also available for protection when glasses aren’t in use. Moreover, choose a durable material to prevent the frame and the lens from sustaining damage with harsh use or active tasks at school or home.
What Can You Do to Help Your Child Adjust to Their New Glasses?
The first step in making sure your kid will like wearing their glasses is to let them pick out fun designs and colors. Glasses are meant to be worn only when necessary so it’s important for kids wearing glasses to take them off during uneventful activities such as P.E., art, and other non-visual classes. However, parents should make sure that kids know they’re not allowed to wear the eyewear all the time or even play with other people’s glasses because even though they might correct vision problems, strong lenses can still cause damage if used improperly. Making frames fun and exciting means more children will want to wear them, but parents need to remind children that glasses are made to be worn only when necessary. Otherwise, they won’t get the full benefit out of their lenses.
Furthermore, let your child ask questions to the optometrist. This way, you can increase your child’s trust and confidence in the eye expert and start developing his assertiveness when it comes to eyecare and other pediatric health concerns. Involving your child in the decision-making can make the selection process a lot easier, which is also a great bonding experience for parents and children with vision problems.
The tips in this article should help you choose the right glasses for your child. Choose frames that are exciting and fun to wear, but don’t forget to remind them not to wear their glasses all the time or play with other people’s eyewear because even though they may correct vision problems, strong lenses can still cause damage if used improperly. Making frames fun and exciting means more children will want to wear them, but parents need to remind children that glasses are not toys and that they are made to help them, not to play with them.
