Getting glasses represents an adjustment for a child. Parental support can contribute to acceptance of his or her new look.
If glasses help the child see better, he or she will want to wear them. To help them accept the transition, spend a little extra on the frames and stay away from "geek" glasses. With kid-friendly manufacturers such as Disney, Raggedy Ann, Nintendo, Peanuts and Crayola, parents and kids can find a frame that's durable and looks cool.
Opticians recommend a metal frame with flexible hinges for durability and nose pads for comfort. The lenses in children's glasses must be made of impact-resistant polycarbonate—look for ones specially made for kids by Fisher-Price. If your child participates in sports, consider fitting him or her for polycarbonate goggles (prescription or non-prescription) to protect the entire eye.
You may also want to purchase a book about getting glasses, such as Arthur's Eyes by Marc Tolon Brown (Atlantic/Little Brown Books). |