Kids’ glasses: a guide for parents

Children often do not know that they cannot see well. They think everyone sees the same way. That is why parents and teachers notice problems first. This guide covers the signs, the eye test, and how to choose glasses for a child.

Signs your child may need glasses

• Sitting very close to the television or holding books and phones close.
• Squinting or tilting the head to see.
• Rubbing the eyes often, or frequent headaches.
• Trouble reading the board at school, or a drop in school work.
• Closing or covering one eye.

These can have other causes, so an eye test is the way to find out. If you are worried, do not wait.

How often to test

Short sight often starts or gets stronger during the school years, so children are usually tested more often than adults. Ask your eye care professional how often your child should come back. Spending time outdoors is linked to a lower risk of short sight in children.

Choosing frames

• Size. A frame that is too big slides down. Check the numbers on the arm against our frame size guide. Kids’ frames are usually about 42 to 48 mm lens width.
• Flexible and light. Children are active, so choose a light frame with arms that can bend without breaking. See our kids’ eyeglasses, which start from Rs 750.
• Comfortable nose fit. A bridge that fits keeps the glasses from sliding and leaving marks.
• A colour they like. A child who likes their glasses will wear them.

Choosing lenses

Ask about impact-resistant lens materials, and a scratch-resistant coating. Read types of eyeglass lenses for the options. Your child’s eye test gives you a prescription, which our guide to reading a prescription explains.

Helping your child wear glasses

• Let your child choose the frame.
• Make wearing them a routine, such as putting them on as soon as they get up.
• Teach them to take them off with two hands and to keep them in a case.
• Have the fit checked now and then, because children grow. We adjust frames at our counter in Shah Faisal Colony. See frame adjustment.

Sunglasses for children

Children need UV protection too. Look for UV400. See the sunglasses buying guide.

Next steps

• Browse kids’ eyeglasses and see glasses prices.
• Check a frame with the frame size checker.