Must-know by parents in buying children’s eyeglasses

It is always hard for parents to select eyeglasses that both satisfy their children and last a long time. Children’s nearsighted or farsighted glasses come in a variety of frames, lenses and materials. Other factors such as the lens power and full- or part-time wear are also worth careful consideration. This writing describes several aspects about children’s eyeglasses selection.

In the past, only plastic frames could offer features such as durable, lighter and more resistant that were needed for children’s use. With the improvement of alloy technology, many metal frames also incorporate these precious features. In selecting the type of frame bridges, the double bridges are mostly for boys, while single bridges are unisex. Children may like eyeglasses frame styles that are designed for adults. Heavy prescriptions always demand for thick lenses, so that those frames should be as small as possible to make a compromise. Small frames also cut away peripheral blur.

Children like cool, fashionable frames and lens either for full- or part-time glasses. However, parents should ensure the eyeglasses’ quality and vision correction requirement. Photochromic lenses that darken outdoors can always flatter children.

Eyeglasses bridge fitting is another bothersome issue for children, since their noses have not full developed and their bridges are not mature to hold the glasses. To maintain the glasses in the best place is critical, because kids may be lazy to push the slipping glasses back. So that most metal glasses are made with adjustable nose pads to fit the children’s bridge, which is beyond plastic glasses.

Two types of glasses temples are available: temples that wrap all the way around the back of the ear and temples that go straight back and curve around the back of the ear. For toddlers, the former type is more capable of keeping glasses on their noses, but these temples are inconvenient for frequent putting on and taking off. Spring hinges are also helpful, since children always put on and take off glasses without good care. Spring hinges eliminate frequent adjustments and repairs.

Lenses material is another important aspect for children’s glasses. Glass lenses are dangerous. Actually, the most preferable lens material for children is polycarbonate, which is the safest. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more resistant and thin than conventional plastic lenses, while require only the comparable prices. These lenses can be treated with additional coatings such as UV coating and scratch-resistant coating.

Sports eyeglasses are mostly made of polycarbonate lenses, but they should also be equipped with special sports frames to provide enough resistance to large objects. And for children who like sports, the best solution is sports goggles, in order to get the most protection against balls or flying elbows.

A warranty plan for eyeglasses replacement or repair is worth consideration, since children’s eyeglasses are easier to be broken. Most children may scratch their lenses frequently so that the replacement cost may be significant.

Both sports goggles and prescription sunglasses can be backup glasses for children who need a full-time wear, in case of emergent cases. Doctors can also tint children’s old glasses with dark coatings so as to get a pair of sunglasses.