Comments on: How to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses

on 9/3/2008 I didn't realize until recently what a big problem wearing eyeglasses for children truly is. I developed a miniature eyeglass retainer 20 years ago for sports that work on all kinds of eye wear an recently one of my eye doctor clients started using them on his young patients with wonderful results. It is great alternative to straps and cords and kids really like them and they come in many colors. Take a look at my web site www.wedgees.com Keeping eyeglasses in place for 20 years.

on 6/4/2008 Hi,

In the past couple of months I have been through the process of getting prescription glasses for my daughter 2 year old daughter. The biggest issue my daughter and I have faced through this tough time has been keeping the glasses on, and in the correct position on her little head.

I have visited several optometrist and sunglass shops, wasted money on rubbers and ugly straps that didn’t work, and scoured the internet for a solution. I have been unable to find a product to satisfy my daughters need.

They say “necessity is the mother of all invention” and in my situation this has certainly proved true. I have developed a new product called the InconSPECuous eyeglass retainer. The product is designed for children. It is inconspicuous. It is easy to secure and detach. It is strong, and it is safe.

These claims I know to be true and I whole heartedly believe in them, bec

on 6/4/2008 Hi,

In the past couple of months I have been through the process of getting prescription glasses for my daughter 2 year old daughter. The biggest issue my daughter and I have faced through this tough time has been keeping the glasses on, and in the correct position on her little head.

I have visited several optometrist and sunglass shops, wasted money on rubbers and ugly straps that didn’t work, and scoured the internet for a solution. I have been unable to find a product to satisfy my daughters need.

They say “necessity is the mother of all invention” and in my situation this has certainly proved true. I have developed a new product called the InconSPECuous eyeglass retainer. The product is designed for children. It is inconspicuous. It is easy to secure and detach. It is strong, and it is safe.

These claims I know to be true and I whole heartedly believe in them, bec

on 5/29/2008 My daughter was 2 yo when strabismus appeared by 2.5 yo she was in a cute pair of specs. Problem was not with her not wanting them on, it was keeping them positioned so she didn't look over the top of them. Occasionally they fell off too (and once got stepped on!). Optometrist told us to get a strap around the back. UGLY and difficult to use is all that was on the market. So I designed something inconspicuous and easy to attach and detach. See my website www.inconspecuous.com.au .
Cheers Megan

on 8/26/2007 I have a great way to get children to wear eyeglasses. Buy Eye-Hugs. They are fun accessories that sit on the glasses at the temple. They have so many cute designs. I got a pair for my child and she loves them and she loves to show them off. Wearing glasses has gotten much easier for her. Check it out...www.eye-hugs.com

on 8/8/2006 To increase a behavior, provide reinforcement immediately after its occurrence. When your child approaches their glasses, provide a reinforcer, such as an M&M. When they are wearing them, give an M&M and lots of verbal praise. Fade out the use of M&M's or other reinforcement gradually, and then keep it intermittent over time, with just the verbal praise. Let your child hear you over the phone tell Grandma how proud you are of them for wearing their glasses, don't make it a power struggle. Any time you observe appropriate glasses wearing behavior, use reinforcement. The child will understand the reinforcement is contingent on the target behavior. This behavior strategy is very brief, and not mean to be clinical advice. There are lots of case studies available on children and glasses wearing, using behavioral analysis. It works! If done well, your child won't even know you're doing it. And they end up wearing their glasses which is good for them.

on 12/15/2005 When my 3 year old got glasses, I allowed him time to adjust to wearing them. I let him take breaks during the day as needed, but was very firm about him needing to wear them every day. My husband has glasses, so I always said just like Daddy, just like Arthur (on TV), just like Jason (his friend at school). He adjusted very quickly. We always point out to him others that also wear glasses and tell him how handsome he is with them on. It helped too, not to make too big a deal out if it, we treated it mostly matter of fact; this is just how it is.

on 11/22/2005 I was ten years old when I needed my first pair of glasses. What really helps is for parents to be patient with their kids. Finding glasses that I liked took some time, and I had to go through just about everything on the shelf several times until I found a pair that suited me. Make sure that he or she picks out glasses that look good on them, not because they make them look like Harry Potter. And please, be certain to let kids get different frames every couple of years. As they grow and their facial features change and develop, glasses that looked fabulous in the fourth grade can and often times will look absolutely wrong on them in high school (or they won't fit properly anymore).

on 11/22/2005 Chris (aged 3 years old) got a prescription from the Eye Clinic for glasses. The first (recommended)optician I took Chris to, was a nightmare - he wanted to show us the choice of frames very quickly, while trying to convince me to buy the most expensive. Chris shouted and was uncooperative. I said I'd come back later. The next day Chris and I walked past a small optician's office in our neighborhood (that happened to have an advertisement with a small picture of Superman in the window). We called in and the owner explained that she was happy for us to drop in and look around a few times. After a couple of visits, Chris was OK about trying frames on. Once he got his new glasses, he went off to his nursery wearing them. He kept them on the whole day and has been fine ever since.

The patch he had to wear every day for 3 months (at 3 and a half years old) to help correct his squint was another matter - the leaflet said "Do not force your child to wear it" After a patient discussion, bribery and threats, I ended up having to tackle him to the floor each morning to stick it on. Still, it worked, and both his eyes are now working.

on 11/22/2005 You have made some good points, but there is SO much more to obtaining compliance. In my book, "Dispensing Pediatric Eyewear," I devoted an entire chapter to the subject!

A 5 year old child is not going to wear eyeglasses because his Dad does. He is not going to wear his glasses because you explain how important they are to his future well-being. He is not even going to wear them because he sees better. He IS going to wear the glasses because his parents insist he wear them.
It is the parents who are the key to compliance.

There are lots and lots of tips on gaining compliance, but they are not the same for each age category.