Screenings at a pediatricians office can catch nearsighted children, and farsighted kids may have issues focusing on schoolwork. But you should always verify and have a trained ophthalmologist do a comprehensive eye exam to determine if a visual problem exists and the best course of treatment.
Help Your Child Love Wearing Glasses
Getting kids to do anything, especially something they aren’t thrilled about, is difficult enough as it is. Throw in the general stigma they may face from peers and the hassle of keeping up with wearing glasses, and you are in for an uphill climb with getting younger children to wear needed corrective lenses regularly.
It is a difficult adjustment, but there are several things you can do to help your child implement glasses into their life with less issues.
Get the Right Frame
A good-fitting pair of glasses is going to make life easier. You want something lightweight and durable that your child will forget they are even wearing. Facial features are unique, and a pair of glasses should be a custom fit for your child. You want them to stay on the face and not be fiddled with constantly.
As far as materials go, you want something that can withstand being dropped and scratched as much as possible. The better the quality of material and fit, the fewer times you’ll need them adjusted, repaired, or replaced. Consider getting a second pair as a backup if your budget allows.
- Lenses: You want something that won’t break easily when it inevitably gets banged around. Lenses with anti-reflective coatings can be particularly scratch-proof.
- Frames: It may be tempting to go for a cheaper material option for the frame, thinking they might lose or break them. Cheaper alternatives like hard plastic or nickel-based metals are more prone to breakage or discoloring the skin. Frames made from Ultem, rubber, or stainless steel will be more durable.
Don’t forget to let your child help in the frame selection process. There is a wide variety of colors and styles, and letting them pick a frame they think is cool will help incentivize them to wear it.
Make It Routine
You have gone through all the trouble of getting that perfect pair of glasses, and your kid even loves them, but that means nothing if they do not remember to wear them. Make sure to begin incorporating their new glasses into morning and nightly routines to make sure they set good habits.
It may take incremental steps, especially for much younger children, to consistently wear glasses but integrate them into a routine early. Have them close by so putting them on is the first thing they do in the morning, and have them clean and put the glasses in their case before bed at night. Setting a reminder before they walk out the door for the day is a great way to catch any slip-ups.
Also be sure to incorporate glasses wearing with other everyday things. Just like adults might have a mantra of keys, wallet, phone before they walk out the door, set one for your kid.
If they are heading out to school, making sure to check for backpacks, lunch, glasses can be an easy, no judgment way to check that they have prepared for the day.
Keep It fun
Some kids may be thrilled about wearing glasses from the outset; others, however, may take some convincing. Take the time to compliment your child on their appearance. It can bolster confidence if they are unsure of how they look.
Eyeglasses have been in use for thousands of years. Whatever your kid’s interests might be, you can easily find examples of people, real or fictional, wearing glasses. These examples can be helpful when helping them pick a frame style. Pull up pictures that will get them excited to be just like their beloved character, and let them know glasses are entirely normal.
If your child has a tough time setting good habits, consider turning it into a game. Incentivize them with small rewards or treats when they regularly remember to wear them independently.
Be Patient
Becoming comfortable with and remembering to wear glasses regularly will take time. Be patient with your kid as they get into the routine of wearing and caring for their new pair of glasses. Kids are impressionable, and the attitude you take toward them wearing glasses is the one they will take.
Be prepared to explain why they need to wear glasses and all the benefits that come with them. And unfortunately, also be ready to help them through teasing. You likely don’t want to bring it up beforehand, but it’s possible a classmate may poke fun.
Asheville Vision and Wellness
If you think your child may have vision problems, schedule an appointment with us today for a comprehensive eye exam. Serving the Asheville and surrounding Western North Carolina area since 1989, Asheville Vision and Wellness is the area’s go-to ophthalmologist’s office.
Our optometrists are trained to deliver the perfect fit and style for our customers’ needs. We can ensure your kid’s prescription is perfect with on-site optical finishing. With a wide array of carried brands, we are sure to find a style that gets them excited to wear their new pair(s) of glasses.