Choosing The Right Glasses For Kids

Glasses for kids - Vision problems often start in childhood and may appear as having trouble seeing the board in school or squinting when reading. It can be very difficult to get children to wear their glasses. They may be worried about what the other kids will say about their new glasses or, your child may not find them comfortable. Finding the right pair of glasses for your child is key to ensuring they wear them so that they can enjoy better vision.

How Do I Know If My Child Has An Eye Problem

Children may demonstrate various symptoms if they are experiencing vision problems and they are not always obvious. Some children may act out in class, often leading to vision issues to be diagnosed as attention deficit hyperactive disorder. They might also bump into doors or walls, which can be confused with clumsiness.

As parents, it's important to determine if what might otherwise be normal childhood behavior, may in fact be something more serious.

According to the American Optometric Association, more than 25% of children need some form of visual aid. This is why it is important for parents to take their children for regular eye exams. It is recommended that kids see their eye doctor at least every two years for a thorough check-up.

The most common types of childhood vision issues are:

Myopia (near-sighted) – This is when children have trouble seeing distances. They may experience blurred vision when looking far away but have normal vision while reading or doing close-up tasks.

Hyperopia (far-sighted) – Most children experience hyperopia in early life because their eye muscles are still growing and developing. As their eyes learn to focus, hyperopia will often go away on its own.

Astigmatism – Astigmatism occurs when there is a difference in the curvature of the eye. Instead of being shaped like a sphere, the eye has a greater curvature at one axis. The result is distorted or blurred vision.

Anisometropia – Also known as amblyopia or lazy eye, occurs when children have two different prescriptions in each eye. In the past children would use an eye patch to strengthen the lazy eye, however today there are a number of prescription technologies available so that children longer have to wear a patch.

What Kind of Glasses Should My Child Wear?

When choosing a pair of glasses with your child, it is important to ensure that the frame is appropriate for the prescription. Your eyetician provider will be able to guide you based on your child’s vision needs.

It is recommended that children wear polycarbonate lenses, due to their impact resistance. Polycarbonate lenses are 10 times stronger than traditional glass or plastic lenses, making them the ideal choice for active kids.

Polycarbonate lenses are also strongly recommended for children with eye injuries or eye sensitivities to reduce the risk for irritation or injury. Polycarbonate lenses also offer a natural UV filter to block harmful rays from the sun, without requiring additional UV protection coatings.

How Can I Encourage My Children To Wear Their Glasses?

• Remember it is important to pick a pair of glasses that is the right size and fit. If the glasses slide down the nose or do not sit on the ears properly, then the children will not experience proper vision correction.
• Let your child be a part of the decision-making process by letting them choose a style of colour that they like. This will ensure that they are more comfortable wearing the glasses in front of their friends.
• It may also be helpful to purchase a second pair of glasses in case a pair gets left at school. This way your child never has to worry about being without their glasses when they need them.
• Be supportive and reinforce the need to wear glasses as your eyetician recommends. It may be helpful to set up a reward system, in the beginning, to encourage your child to wear their glasses consistently.
• Don’t forget to check in with your child regularly about the fit of their glasses and to ensure the lenses are still meeting their visual needs. It is not uncommon for them to experience frequent prescription changes. So check in with your child, to ensure they see the positive effects of wearing glasses.

Wearing glasses is a difficult time in a child’s life. By encouraging them and letting them see how wearing glasses can make life and learning more fun, you will soon see your child reach for their glasses without having to remind them.

Talk to your eyetician provider today. They can support you in finding the right pair of glasses for your child and be your partner in improving your child’s vision.