How to Select Eye Glasses for a Small Child

You’ve suspected your preschooler has had vision difficulties, but a visit to the optometrist has confirmed it. Your preschooler needs glasses. To ensure that your child will wear the glasses after purchase, take care in selecting the proper pair.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Utilize the optometry office to assist you in selecting a pair of glasses. If you are on a budget or have insurance constraints and can not purchase glasses through your optometrist; ask for some tips.

2. Select a lens. Points to consider when selecting a lens type include: material of lens, anti-glare coatings and scratch resistant coatings. Consider purchasing lens that are lightweight. Poly carbonate lenses are shatter resistant and weigh much less than other lenses. This type of lens is more comfortable for your child and safer as well. Adding the scratch resistant lens increases durability, while the anti-glare coating eases the discomfort caused by glare.

3. 
    

   Select a frame. Make sure the frame works with the type of prescription your child needs. Some frames are too narrow to accommodate higher prescriptions. Make sure to select a durable frame. Frames can be made of plastic or metal. Plastic frames may be more easily broken, while metal frames are becoming more durable with the introduction of flexible frames. Plastic frames usually do not have adjustable nose pads, making it more difficult for a child to keep the glasses up on their nose. Metal frames have adjustable nose pads, making it a bit easier to adjust the fit. Different temple styles or “arms” of the glasses can help with fit. Cable style temples that wrap around the ear keep glasses up and in place on even very young children. However, the fit on these wrap styles may be more difficult. If the arm of the glasses rubs behind the ears, a child may develop sore spots and refuse to wear the glasses.

4. Get the glasses adjusted by a professional. Make sure there are no tight spots on the frames which can rub and cause discomfort. A professional fit will ensure that a child can see out of the glasses as intended and that the glasses will stay in place once on the child’s face.

5. Keep the glasses adjusted properly. This may be the most challenging step of all. Young children are active. Jumping, rolling and horseplay have a tendency to knock the glasses out of fit. Regular visits to the optician are necessary to keep the glasses fitting as they were intended.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase frame that are flexible. It will save on trips to the optical shop to have the glasses repaired.
• Purchasing the least expensive frames sometimes means the quality is not good. If you purchase poor quality frames, it may only be a short while before you will be buying another frame.

[bookmom]

on 4/13/2008 Really good information. Thanks so much!