If you’re a parent in search of your child’s eyeglasses, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed walking into an optical store. Don’t worry, children’s eyeglasses won’t run out. The real question is, which glasses will your child be willing to wear and which will last the longest? Focus on the following details to find your best option:
The Lens Thickness
First and foremost, you must consider the eyeglass prescription before you start looking for frames. If your child is going to need strong and thick lenses, large frames will just add to the thickness of the lenses making them very uncomfortable to wear. Choose smaller frames to cover up for the thickness.
The Style
Most kids will become self-conscious about having to wear glasses so it’s important you get your children excited about it. You can compare them to other people that they know who use sunglasses or even people they look up to such as a superhero (Superman). In fact, studies show that kids tend to choose eyeglasses frames similar to their parents. Additionally, children are attracted to features like photochromic lenses that darken automatically when exposed to sunlight.
Plastic or Metal
As stated above, kids usually choose to wear glasses that are worn by their parents or someone they look up to whether they are plastic or metal. Contrary to the past, manufacturers are now making metal frames that are as durable, less likely to bend, and lighter in weight as plastic frames. Having said that, we recommend choosing frames made up of hypoallergenic materials to avoid any skin sensitivity.
The Bridge Fit
It’s difficult to choose a suitable frame for a young child since their noses are not fully developed and don’t have a bridge to prevent the glasses from sliding down their nose. That being said, manufacturers have made plastic frames smaller to fit smaller noses and have added adjustable nose pads to metal frames for a better fit. If the bridge fit is not correct, the glasses won’t stay in place, and will cause your child to be looking over the top of the lenses.
The Lens Material
For added safety, your child’s lenses should be made of polycarbonate or Trivex. Apart from being lighter than a regular lenses, these types of lenses offer the highest degree of protection while providing clear vision. They also have built-in protection against ultraviolet rays that can damage children’s eyes as well as a scratch-resistant coating. It’s crucial to avoid choosing glass lenses for your child since they can break very easily and will be more uncomfortable for them to wear.