Your Child's First Pair of Glasses: The Process from Start to Finish

Getting glasses for the first time can feel very foreign for children, as is typical with any new thing we do. Every child will have a different experience the first time they try on glasses. Your presence as the adult can be a defining factor in whether this is a positive experience. Any assistance you can offer in keeping your child calm will significantly help the optician work with your child to select the right frames for their needs. So, what is the process of getting glasses?

The Exam

The first step before getting your child new glasses is completing a comprehensive eye exam. This will allow your eye doctor to identify your child's prescription and identify any visual impairments. 

Comprehensive eye exams are the most effective at identifying your child's unique visual needs. To start, they will run a few tests.

Tests to Expect in a Comprehensive Eye Exam for Your Child

• Visual acuity - ability to see detail and clarity in the surrounding environment

• Amblyopia - a condition in which the eyes do not develop properly, causing an inability to see clearly in one or both eyes

• Eye-tracking - the process of tracking the movement of an individual's eyes in order to study their visual behavior

• Color vision - an evaluation of a person's ability to see colors accurately

• Stereopsis (3D vision) - measures how well someone can see objects at different angles

• Convergence – a test to measure the distance you can use both eyes without seeing double

• Ocular health – determines overall eye health and diagnoses any present eye diseases

These tests will check for common refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia. They will also help the eye doctor assess for any other underlying visual issues affecting your child.
 

Getting the Prescription

During the comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor will perform a test known as a refraction test. The test can either be computerized or manual. The automated version involves using a machine to shine light into the eye to measure how it refracts. The manual test usually consists of the eye doctor shining a light into your child's eye. All of these tests help identify the exact prescription for your child. 
 

Picking Out Lenses

The next step after the test and identifying the prescription is choosing a lens. When picking out a lens, the optician will usually ask what features your child may need. At this point, you can engage your child and discuss with the optician all the options available. Some of the options include extra thin lenses, glare-free lenses, and scratch resistant lenses. 

Tips to Adjust to a New Life with Glasses

To assist your child in getting used to a new life with glasses, you can start by letting them pick out the frames they like. You can also find public figures they may admire who wear glasses to help them feel better about adjusting to life with their new eyewear. 

Another strategy is to help them focus on the benefits of the glasses rather than the inconveniences. It is essential to give positive reinforcement by complimenting them and recognizing when they take good care of their glasses. It is also crucial that you are patient with your child while they adjust.

For more information on your child getting their first pair of glasses, contact Special Eye Care in Camp Springs, Maryland. Call (301) 298-3241 to book an appointment today.