Since you’re a parent searching for the perfect pair of glasses for your son or daughter, you undoubtedly know that it can be challenging to walk into an opticians. There is no lack of eyeglass frames for children. The trouble is working out which glasses your child is happy to wear; and will they even survive longer than the journey home?
If you’re unsure of where to start or how to make the right choices, it’s a good thing you stopped by this handy blog post! Keep reading to learn more about the 5+ tips for buying stylish and durable glasses for your offspring:
1. How thick are the lenses going to be?
Prescriptions are always the first factor to consider when choosing the right glasses. Before you begin to look for frames, please consult with the optician first about your child’s lenses — the reason why is simple. If the prescription demands strong lenses – ones that are going to be thick – you should avoid selecting large frames. That’s because they will almost certainly increase the thickness of the lenses!
Smaller frames with thick lenses will also mean there is a lower risk of distorted or blurred peripheral vision.
2. Should you choose plastic or metal frames?
The next thing to consider when choosing frames is whether they should be made of plastic or metal. There was once a time where plastic frames were the preferred choice due to the lower likelihood of them snapping or getting bent. They were also selected because of their light weight and relatively low cost.
These days, manufacturers of eyeglasses are designing metal frames that incorporate all of those practical features from plastic frames. If you talk to your optician about the plastic versus metal frames on offer, they can tell you which ones are most suitable for your child from their current range.
Another consideration to make with frames is whether they are made from hypoallergenic materials or not. Some kids are sensitive to certain substances, particularly with metal frames.
3. Which style is best for your child?
You need to bear in mind that your son or daughter is going to feel self-conscious about wearing glasses for the first time. They will have undoubtedly seen other people wearing glasses before, but it’s a new personal experience for your child.
When it comes to selecting the right frame style, it’s best to choose one that is both modern and appealing. Eyeglasses help to define an adult’s look, and the same thing applies to children as well. Be patient with your child, and make sure you work with them to choose a set of frames that best suit their facial features and size/shape of their head.
If your child isn’t very keen on wearing any glasses at all, consider selecting ones with photochromic lenses. What they do is darken when outdoors, and so your child may find such a feature “cool”!
4. Which type of material is best for the lenses?
As you can appreciate, children love to run around wherever they are, and as a result, they seldom think about treating what they wear with care. Unfortunately, the same thing applies to glasses, and that’s why it makes sense to choose a material for the lenses that are very durable.
The good news is that eyeglass manufacturers recognize that kids need sturdy frames and lenses that can tackle a lot of abuse. With that in mind, you can usually select from polycarbonate or Trivex lenses. Both types are impact-resistant, and they’re lighter than regular plastic lenses. What that will result in is a more comfortable fit for your child. A couple of other benefits to polycarbonate and Trivex lenses is they have built-in UV protection, and they’re also scratch-resistant. As you can appreciate, that’s welcoming news for parents that don’t want to buy new lenses (or frames) for their child on a monthly basis!
5. Is it worth buying a backup pair of glasses?
In a word, yes. The trouble with glasses is that even though you can invest in the toughest pair out there, they aren’t indestructible. Your child has a need for corrective glasses, and if they must wear them at all times, it’s absolutely wise to buy a backup pair. As much as you don’t want to admit it, your offspring is likely to destroy their first pair at some point, and so you’ll need to have a spare pair to give them.
Of course, getting a second pair of glasses as a backup also raises another question: should you buy a pair identical to the first ones? It’s something that some parents do, but you ought to consider purchasing a part of “sports” glasses instead.
Rather than using the first pair of glasses for all activities, they can use the sports pair for play, gym, and, of course, sports! The optician can advise you which frames are sturdy enough for such activities, and also recommend lenses that are least likely to shatter upon impact.
6. Will my child need to learn how to care for their glasses?
Yes, don’t assume that your optician will give them any training on how to look after their new eyeglasses. It’s important that you teach your son or daughter how to wear their frames correctly, and what to do with their glasses when they aren’t wearing them.
When you and your child choose the frames they want, it’s important to ask the optician if they come with any cases. It’s not unusual to buy glasses, and they have no case included as part of the purchase. Those that do come with a case, you’ll typically find they are soft, flexible cases.
In any event, it’s worth spending the extra money buying at least two or three hard cases for your child’s eyeglasses. They are an inexpensive purchase, and lessen the likelihood of glasses getting accidentally damaged at home, school, or when they are out and about!
