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education KIDS& OCTOBER I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW BY RONDA ADDY When your child is reading, do they squint? Are you constantly yelling at them to sit farther away from the TV? If the answer is yes, then there’s a good chance your child may need glasses. Finding out your child needs glasses is the easy part; getting them to wear the glasses is the tricky part. But don’t despair, there is a way. Children five years and younger should have their vision checked every time they go to the pediatrician. For children under three, in-depth vision tests are hard to do, so your pediatrician will be looking for problems such as crossed eyes or lazy eye. A more comprehensive eye test can be run when your child is between three and fi ve. Before your child goes into the fi rst grade, they should have a thorough eye exam. If they have no problems and there is no family history of vision problems, having their eyes checked every two years is acceptable. If they have vision problems or if there is a family history of vision problems, having their eyes checked every year is a good idea. Be sure to check with your child’s eye doctor to see what they recommend. Should your child need glasses, you will have to help them select the right pair. Sometimes, the optician will make recommendations, but more often than not, it will be left up to you and your child. The best type of lens material for children is polycarbonate. This type of lens is impact resistant, has built-in UV protection and can be coated to make it scratch resistant. Glass lenses are not recommended for children. They can break and shatter, and are heavier and less comfortable to wear. Along with lenses, you will have to help your child choose frames. Today, frames come in plastic or metal. Both styles are durable, lightweight and appropriate for children. Of course, the most important consideration when choosing frames is the actual prescription, in other words, the lens thickness. A stronger prescription means thicker lenses, so go with a smaller frame to eliminate distortion. Having frames with a proper bridge fi t is important for the glasses to stay in place. If there are gaps between the bridge of the frame and the bridge of the nose, the glasses will slide, and your child may look over the top of the glasses instead of pushing them them back in place. To ensure that the glasses don’t slide off your child’s face, the right temple style is important. For toddlers, wraparound temples or cable temples work best. For children who wear their glasses part-time, regular or skull temples work best. These go straight back and then curve around the ear. Hinges are another factor to consider. For children who may play with their glasses, spring hinges work best. This special type of hinge lets the temple fl ex outward away from the frames without any damage. If your child is into sports, you will need to help them select a pair of glasses that will hold up to play. In some cases, sports goggles may be the best option. With their large vertical eye openings and polycarbonate lenses, sports goggles often offer the best protection for athletes. They must be fi tted properly, so check with your opticician before getting them for your child. Be sure to get a warranty to cover damage to the lenses and frames of your child’s glasses. This is especially a good idea for those who have a toddler or fi rst-time eyeglass wearer. If your child cannot see without their glasses, a backup pair is essential. As children get older, their faces change. To make sure your child’s glasses always fi t them properly and look good, allow them to get a new pair every couple of years. More importantly, if their prescription changes, make certain they get a new pair of glasses, or at the very least, new lenses. It’s only natural for a child to resist something new in the beginning. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to help them make the adjustment and accept that wearing glasses isn’t so bad.


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