Finding the right eyeglasses for your child can be difficult because many glasses for kids are more geared towards appearance rather than function. This is not to say that there aren’t some great-looking kids’ prescription glasses out there, but it’s more important to have a pair of glasses for your child that actually works AND gets the job done, whilst looking great too.
This is a contributed post.
Here are some tips for buying glasses for kids
Choosing glasses for children is a task that should be done carefully. You need to take into account the child’s age, the shape of their face and your budget to find the perfect pair. First, you need to consider what type of glasses you need – prescription or non-prescription.
Non-prescription glasses are also known as fashion eyeglasses as they are not meant for correcting vision. They can be used by children who don’t need corrective lenses or those who just need them for occasional use. However, if your child needs a prescription, then you will have to go with prescription glasses which will require an optometrist visit. It’s this scenario that this article is focused on.
1. Be Open To New Frame Styles
Be open to new frame styles. Unlike adults, children don’t always have a clear preference when it comes to style. If your child likes the look of an aviator or cat eye frame, don’t worry about whether it looks too young or old-fashioned — just try it on! If you aren’t sure how it will look on their face or body, ask your optician for a free trial pair.
2. Get Durable And Flexible Frames
The best glasses for kids are made from high-quality materials that will last through years of wear. Look for frames made of plastic, acetate or metal.
- Soft plastic frames are flexible and less likely to break than hard plastic or metal frames, but they don’t offer as much protection if your child accidentally bumps into something.
- Metal frames are sturdier than soft plastic ones, but they can be heavier on the face and uncomfortable over long periods of time.
- Acetate is a good compromise between soft plastic and metal — it’s somewhat flexible but also sturdy enough to protect your child’s eyes from injury if they run into something while wearing their glasses.
3. Find The Right Size Frame
A quick glance at your child’s face and you may have an idea of what he or she will look like in the future. But it isn’t just the shape of their nose or eyes that will make them unique, it is also their ear shape, as well as their lip and jaw line.
One of the most important steps to finding the perfect pair of kids’ glasses is ensuring that you have the right size frame. If your child has a large head or an unusually long face, it may be more difficult to find glasses for kids that fit properly. Your child’s doctor can help you determine if they need an extra-large frame or special prescription lenses.
4. Choose Comfort Over Style
Kids grow at an alarming rate, so if you buy glasses that are too tight or uncomfortable, they’ll likely outgrow them before they get a chance to wear them very often. We recommend choosing frames that are roomy enough in the nose pads and temples to allow room for growth. This way your child won’t outgrow their glasses and have to go through the process of getting new ones all over again.
5. Look For Flexibility
The most important thing to look for in children’s eyeglasses is flexibility. Kids grow fast and often outgrow their glasses before they have time to break them. Opt for polycarbonate frames instead of metal ones because they can bend and flex without getting damaged. The best kids’ eyeglasses also have adjustable nose pads so that they can grow with your child’s face shape.
6. Determine if they will wear their glasses full-time or just for certain activities.
When choosing the perfect style of glasses for your child, you should consider if they need to wear their glasses all the time, or if they only need them for certain activities such as reading close up, seeing the board at school from far away, or perhaps for sport.
7. Consider how much time you want to spend shopping for frames and lenses.
Getting the perfect pair of glasses can be a time-consuming task. With so many frames, lenses and stores to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’re having trouble narrowing down what style is right for you, or if you want to try a different look, these tips can help.
- Take your prescription to all the stores that sell glasses and ask each one of them to make sure they have your current frames. Many places will be able to order your glasses from their manufacturer and charge cheaper than if they had to do it themselves.
- Get two pairs of frames so that you can see how they look
- Do some online research in advance of going out to start trying on.
Conclusion
After reading through this article, you will be aware of your options and be more informed so that you can make a more informed decision on what to look for when comparing glasses for your kid. You’ll know what to ask the sales attendant and how to look at the options.
Leave A Comment