Is your child’s performance in the school going down despite the hard work? Children are often not aware of vision problems. However, it affects their studies to a great extent. An even bigger concern is that incorrect vision when left untreated can grow bigger. Find out if your child experiences frequent headaches, feels confused when writing letters and is not anxious to go to school.
You need to get an eye check-up scheduled to detect what the nature of the error is. For refractive errors in eyes, the ophthalmologist will prescribe glasses. Parents experience dilemma when choosing eyewear for their kids and it is not for no reason. There is no dearth of eyewear available for children but the problem for parents is that they need to figure out the right one.
So, if you are not really aware of what the parameters are for buying kids’ glasses, check this guide by an optometrist in Malaysia to make an informed decision.
Eye examination
When you start looking for glasses for your kid, get their eyes checked at by an optometrist. The specialist may ask questions about vision errors in the family as well as probe the medical history of the child. During the examination, the optometrist may use a few devices and checks whether your child has an eye disease. Apart from this, they will also check for vision skills, binocular vision, and visual acuity before prescribing the number.
Motivate your child to wear glasses
Remember that the experience of putting on glasses for the first time is undoubtedly an intimidating experience. Therefore, as a parent, you need to motivate your child and explain to them the significance of wearing eyewear. Also, you need to tell them wearing glasses is actually stylish and show them picture books where the characters have glasses. Make sure you visit a store to buy kids’ eyewear in Malaysia when the child feels relaxed.
Thickness of the lenses
When your child needs to wear eyeglasses for vision correction, following the prescription should be a priority. Don’t just choose any frame you come across when you visit a shop to buy eyeglasses for kids. Find out the types of lenses that are available for the kids and which one is more appropriate for them. For higher correction number, the eye care giver will usually prescribe thick lenses. Similarly, for lower numbers, lenses with less thickness can suffice. Now, when buying thick lenses, you must avoid large frames as they might cause discomfort. Moreover, smaller lenses tend to have fewer deviations compared to large lenses. Therefore, it reduces the risk of blurred vision towards the periphery.
Consider the frame size
Now, this one is going to be tricky, especially because you can’t go for one-size-fits-all for children of all ages. Follow the prescription to choose the lens and pick a frame based on the face shape of your child. The frame must cover the field of vision but not too wide to cover the face or exceed beyond the eyebrows. Find out whether the lens fits in the frame and is well adjusted to the centre of the pupil.
Frame material
Once you know what the frame size is, switch to choosing the right material. Usually, the material you pick needs to cater to the age of the child. Moreover, it must be lightweight and easy to handle, especially if your kid goes to school. The frame needs to be strong to withstand breakage. If your child is above 6 years, you can choose between acetate or titanium as the latter is hypoallergenic as well as lightweight.
Things you cannot miss
Well, choosing a fashionable eyewear for your kid is fine but you may consider the following when choosing the best eyeglasses:
- Check for side pieces when buying eyewear for kids. That way, the glasses can be wrapped around the ear. It is a good option for toddlers or youngsters who often tend to pull the glasses off. You can also pick frames with adjustable elastic straps that can be wrapped around the head.
- Rubber frames are excellent for kids and highly flexible. That is why they offer a good fit. These frames are available in varied colours and are affordable. Besides, the nose pads come attached to the frame.
- Glasses with spring hinges are a good option for kids and toddlers and allow the temples to stay outward without causing any significant damage. Moreover, it reduces the need for frequent repairs or adjustments.
Choosing between plastic or metal frames
Frames for children are usually made from metal or plastic. Moreover, there are several different frames to choose from. What happens is that children feel tempted to pick frames based on styles and colours. However, plastic frames are more reliable and made from material that is durable and lightweight that won’t break or bend easily. However, if you are inclined to choose metal, make sure you pick a hypoallergenic and lightweight material like titanium that is safe for the skin.
Good fit
Whether you buy kids’ frames online in Malaysia or elsewhere, getting a perfect fit is one of the major challenges. Wondering why? The primary reason is that the noses of kids are not fully developed and is softer, so the eyewear tends to slide down easily. However, metal frames with adjustable nose pads sit on the nose. Even plastic frames can be made to order so that they don’t slide down the nose easily and eventually break. Try to check if there is a gap between the bridge of the frame and the nose and choose a frame that can bear the weight of the lenses.
Material of the lenses
Lenses for kids are made from different materials but can rely on polycarbonate as they are more resistant to blows. They are also lighter than plastic lenses, and hence are more comfortable. If your child needs prescription glasses for correct vision ad can’t do without any, a high-end polycarbonate lens may be the right choice. However, you must check whether the material protects against UV rays and are resistant to scratches. You can also get an anti-glare and blue-light protective coating to safeguard your child’s vision and enhance the longevity of the lens.
Buying prescription glasses for your child is a crucial decision whether it’s choosing the perfect fit, a durable frame, or proper thickness of lens. You can follow the aforementioned parameters and get warranty against breakage. For getting eye checkups by professional optometrists or buying designer eyewear, stop at https://www.malayaoptical.com/ to value add to your choice when buying one for your kids.
FAQ
What are the signs your child needs glasses?
Viewing anything from too close and reduced performance in studies are the commonest signs that your child needs vision correction with glasses.
Should kids wear glasses throughout the day?
Children up to eight years of age may need to wear glasses all the time unless the ophthalmologist advises otherwise. The duration of wearing glasses depends on the advice of the optometrist and the eye specialist. A child may need to wear glasses all day or partially but remove them during bath or at bedtime.
Which glasses enhance the focus of your kids?
Multifocal lenses helps increase the child’s focus in studies and reduce eye strain, fatigue, and blurred vision.