By Dr. Charles J. Bock

Eye Glasses for Your Child

Dr. Bock has recommended that your child wear eye glasses. Although many parents are concerned that it will be difficult to encourage their child to wear glasses, you can increase your chance of success by following a few simple steps when choosing the glasses.

Choosing the frame

It is most important that you choose a quality frame that fits your child well. Although small lens frames are very stylish, it is important that the lenses be large enough that your child cannot easily look over them. This is especially important if your child has strabismus (misalignment of the eyes). Most children do best in frames with adjustable nose pads. Many children have nasal bridges that are too flat for non-adjustable frames to fit; the result is a pair of glasses that is constantly sliding down your child's nose. To help keep the glasses from sliding, many parents choose wrap-around temple pieces for the glasses. These are flexible wire pieces that wrap around the child's ear. Some children like to use a strap to keep their glasses up, but for others this is uncomfortable.

If you choose the more expensive, flexible frames, you may be rewarded with fewer trips to have the glasses adjusted. However, it is usually best not to advertise this feature to your child---very often, this results in repeated bending of the frame (to show friends in school), which ultimately shortens the life of even the most durable flexible frame.

Perhaps the most important predictor of whether your child will wear the glasses or not is that your child likes the glasses. Ultimately, your child must feel comfortable in the glasses, which may mean that your son chooses frames that are neon green or your daughter selects fuschia ones. Parenting is full of compromises.

Picking up the glasses

You may want to discuss with some excitement that the glasses will soon be ready. Some parents like to include a special treat (ice cream cone, favorite activity) after picking up the glasses. When you pick up the glasses, do take extra time to be sure that they fit well.

If your child has crossed eyes and a bifocal is being used to help straighten the eyes, remember to check that the line of the bifocal has been placed high enough that your child will use it. The line of the bifocal should bisect the pupil.

The adjustment period

If your child is particularly self-conscious or apprehensive, it may help to have the whole family help out during the adjustment period. Family members who wear contacts can wear their glasses instead. Family members who do not wear prescription lenses may wear sunglasses.

If your child is farsighted, or has strabismus or amblyopia (poor vision in one eye), it is crucial that the glasses be worn full time unless Dr. Bock has told you otherwise. Children with these problems often must wear glasses despite having good vision in one or both eyes. The glasses in this case may not necessarily make the child's vision seem better, because they are being used to better align the eyes or to make just one eye see better.

Farsighted children in particular may complain that the glasses are blurring their vision. Full time wear will decrease the amount of time it will take for your child's eyes to relax their focus and accept the glasses. In some cases, farsighted children who will not wear their glasses can have their eyes dilated, thereby relaxing their focussing muscles and allowing them to accept the glasses. If after several days of trying the glasses your child continues to resist, feel free to call our clinic to discuss dilating drops.

If you think all hope is lost and your child continues to resist, please call our office. We may be able to offer you additional tips to help your child adjust to the glasses. Children with Down syndrome in particular can have a very difficult time adjusting to glasses.

For the athlete

If your child needs to wear glasses full time and is very active, you may want to consider purchasing a pair of sports glasses or goggles. These are more durable and offer better protection to the face and eyes than regular glasses.

If you have additional questions

Please feel free to call our office 503-656-4221 at any time. Our goal is that you understand completely your child's condition and treatment.