How To Choose Glasses For Your Child

If you’re a parent shopping for the right pair of glasses for your child, you’ve probably already found all the choice at the opticians is confusing. There are dozens of choices out there for children’s frames for glasses. The hard part is working out which ones your child will agree to wear and which glasses will be sturdy enough to last some rough play. Here are some easy tips to help your choose glasses for your child that will look good, fit well, last, and be nice to wear.

How Thick Will The Lenses Be?

The prescription of the glasses should always be the first thing you consider when you’re choosing glasses. Before you start looking at any frames, you need to speak to your opticians about the lenses. 

If the prescription needs strong lenses, then they are likely to be thick. If so, avoid large frames which will only make the lenses thicker. Smaller lenses usually have fewer higher-order aberrations around the edge of the lens than large lenses of the same prescription and material, so the risk of blurred or distorted peripheral vision is reduced. 

Choose A Modern Style

Most children will feel self-conscious about wearing glasses at first until they’ve had a little time to get used to them. To help them, choose frames with a modern, attractive style. Look at eyeglasses.com together and ask them to point out the kind of frames they like so you can get an idea of the style they’ll like wearing. 

If you’re really struggling to get your kid on board, then features like photochromic lenses that automatically darken in sunny weather outdoors might help your child to feel more interested in wearing their new glasses. Encourage them to enjoy their glasses as an accessory. If they are more screen time-oriented types, Blue Light Glasses will be a great addition to help prevent blurry vision and help them to get a better night's sleep.

Plastic Or Metal

The frames for children’s glasses are usually made of either plastic or metal. Many styles intentionally mimic unisex frames designed for adults. Kids are often drawn to these styles as they look more grown-up. Many children will choose a pair of glasses that look similar to ones worn by a parent or an older sibling. 

Plastic frames can be a good choice for children, as they are usually very durable, and are hard to bend or break. They’re also lighter weight and not as expensive. However, metal frames have been improved so they now have these features too. If you’re not sure, ask your optician for advice on what material might be best. 

If your child has a history of sensitivity to certain substances, then be careful to choose a frame that is made of hypoallergenic materials, just in case. Some children may be allergic to the nickel that is in some metal frames. 

Proper Bridge Fit

The hardest part of choosing the right frames for young children is that their nose is not yet fully developed, so the bridge of the nose is unable to prevent the plastic frame from slipping down. Metal frames are usually made with nose pads that are adjustable, so they can be shaped to fit any bridge. However, you can find plastic frames designed to fit on a small nose, so you can choose either.

Every pair of glasses that you try on your child must be checked for proper fit on the bridge of the nose. If there are any gaps between the frame and the bridge of the nose, then the weight of the glasses will cause the glasses to slide downwards. 

You need glasses that stay securely in place. If the move down, children tend to look over the top of the glasses instead of pushing them back up into place. Ask your optician to check the fit before you choose. 

The Right Temple Style

Temples that wrap all the way around the back of the ear are great for helping glasses from sliding down or dropping off the face completely. This wraparound temple style is called ‘cable temples’. These are usually available on metal frames and are especially useful for holding glasses on the faces of babies and toddlers. Another option for very young children is a frame with an elastic strap that goes all the way around the head. 

Spring Hinges

A good feature to keep an eye out for is temples with spring hinges. These allow the temples to flex outwards, away from the frame, but without causing any damage. Kids aren’t usually all that careful about taking their glasses on and off, and the spring hinges help the glasses stand up to this, so you don’t have to keep paying for adjustments and repairs. They’re also helpful if children fall asleep with their glasses still on or play a little roughly. Choose spring hinges for toddlers, who won’t treat their glasses gently. 

Lens Material

When you and your child have been able to agree on a suitable frame, the next step to think about is the lenses. Children’s lenses should be made of polycarbonate or Trivex, as these materials are more impact-resistant than other lens options, which makes them much safer. 

They’re also a lot lighter than classic plastic lenses, which makes them a lot more comfortable to wear; especially helpful for strong prescriptions with thicker lenses. 

Trivex and polycarbonate lenses all have built-in protection from the damage of ultraviolet rays. The lenses are also coated with a scratch-resistant coating by the manufacturer or lab. 

The price of lenses like this is usually comparable to the cost of regular plastic lenses with  UV and scratch-resistant coatings. Trivex lenses can be a little more expensive. 

Don’t choose glass lenses for eyewear for children. Glass is very scratch-resistant, but it is very heavy and be relatively easy to break. Not great for kids. 

Sports Glasses

Polycarbonate has a reputation for being safe, so you might be tempted to let your child play sports in their usual glasses. However, although polycarbonate is a good material for sports eyewear, the frames of regular glasses don’t give enough protection against balls, elbows, and other sporting hazards. 

If your child plays a lot of sports, then a proper sports goggle with polycarbonate lenses is the best bet for the best protection against eye injuries. 

For the best protection, sports goggles should be fitted properly. Ask an expert for advice before buying. Sports goggles should have a lens opening that is large enough to make sure that if the goggles are pushed towards the face, the impact points are above and below the eyes, to avoid nasty injuries. 

Warranties

Find out if the lenses have a warranty. Make sure the warranty covers the lenses becoming scratched from normal wear. Scratches on the lens cause glare and blurred vision and the can also affect the impact resistance of the lenses, putting your child’s eyes at risk. 

Buy A Back Up Pair

Children can be tough on the glasses, so it can be a smart idea to buy a second pair to keep as a back-up of them. This is especially smart if your child has a very strong prescription and can’t get by without their glasses. 

Ask your optician if they can offer a discount for a second pair. Some will do this if you buy two pairs of the same frame at the same time. 

If you’re really stuck for a spare, you can use their sports goggles. If their prescription hasn’t changed much, keep their old glasses as a spare. They can be worn until you can replace the proper prescription.