Picking the best glasses for your child means getting a few things right. You want a style they will actually wear, in a pair that holds up to daily life. The hundreds of frame options can feel overwhelming, and not all of them are a good fit for a kid.
Here are nine questions worth asking at your local eye doctor to land on the best, most durable glasses for your child.
1. What are the best frame materials for children?
Kids' frames come in metal or plastic. Plastic used to be the go-to for children because it was more durable, lighter, and cheaper. These days, metal frames match those qualities, so they are back on the table.
Let your child's comfort guide you, since one style may feel better than the other. If your child is allergic to certain metals, ask for hypoallergenic materials. And if the lenses are thick, look for the lightest frame so the glasses do not feel heavy.
2. How should glasses fit at the bridge for kids?
The bridge keeps glasses in place and is a key part of the fit. If a pair slides down your child's nose, they may end up looking over the lenses instead of pushing the glasses back up.
Some kids like plastic frames without nose pads, but those often slip on smaller faces where the nose bridge has not fully developed. Metal frames have adjustable pads, so they fit just about anyone. Any gap between the frame bridge and the nose will make glasses slide. If you are not sure, ask an optician to check the fit.
3. What are the best lenses for children's glasses?
If you want impact resistance without extra weight, look at polycarbonate lenses. They come with a scratch-resistant coating and built-in UV protection. They cost a bit more than regular plastic, but they hold up well next to plastic lenses that are also coated for scratches and UV.
Trivex lenses offer the same features and cost a little more than polycarbonate. Skip glass lenses, since they shatter when they break and can hurt your child's eyes. For safety reasons, most optical shops do not sell children's glasses with glass lenses at all.
4. What types of temples work best for kids' glasses?
For a younger child, consider cable temples, which wrap around the ear to stay put. They are great for keeping glasses from slipping off toddlers.
If your child only wears glasses part of the time, cable temples can be awkward to take on and off. In that case, go with skull (regular) temples. Spring hinges add flexibility and help prevent damage from rough play or curious fingers.
5. How do you choose the right style and color for your child?
If this is your child's first pair, they may worry about being teased and resist wearing them. The fix is to let them help pick. Kids are far more likely to wear glasses they chose themselves.
Think about their tastes, pull a few options you like, and let them make the final call. Point to popular figures and characters who wear glasses so your child sees that glasses can be cool too.
If you are stuck on color, some shades bring out a child's eyes. Rich browns, olive greens, and khaki pair well with light blue, green, or light brown eyes, while purple and navy tones suit darker browns, blues, and grays.
6. Do kids need special glasses for sports?
Even if your child's everyday lenses are polycarbonate, regular frames are not built to take a hit from a ball or an elbow. Fit really matters with sports glasses, so check with an eye care professional before buying. They only protect properly when they fit right.
Sports goggles should have a taller eye opening than regular glasses. That way, if they get pushed toward the face on impact, they are less likely to injure the eye itself.
7. Should you get a warranty for children's glasses?
Many shops offer a warranty that replaces glasses for a small fee if a frame or lens gets damaged, and some replace them at no charge. That is handy if your child is a toddler or a first-time wearer.
Warranties vary, so compare the cost of replacing a pair with and without the plan. It may be worth it if the warranty costs about the same as, or less than, replacing a single lens.
Warranties that cover badly scratched lenses are especially useful, since kid-level wear and tear leads to scratches, and those can weaken a lens's impact resistance and put your child's eyes at risk.
8. Why are backup glasses a must for kids?
When glasses break, it can take about a week to get a new pair, and that is a long time to go without clear sight. A second pair may be worth it, especially if your child struggles without them. Shops often discount a second pair bought at the same time as the first.
9. How should children handle and care for their glasses?
A backup is great, but not needing it is better. If this is a first pair, show your child how to take them off with both hands, straight off the face, instead of one-handed. That small habit prevents a lot of future adjustments.
If your child only wears glasses part of the time, get a hard case for storage, and add their name and phone number inside so a lost pair can find its way back from the playground or under a desk.
When cleaning, use a solution made for eyeglasses and a microfiber cloth. Paper towels and some fabrics can leave tiny scratches that make it harder to see.
Choosing the Best Glasses for Your Child
Kids resist glasses for all kinds of reasons. For little ones, look for stories about children who are new to glasses. Older kids often warm up faster when you point to well-known figures they admire who wear glasses too. Your eye doctor will have helpful tips to support your child through this first step.
Now that you are ready to pick out that first pair, take a look at other ways to make them last. And if you would like the added benefit of vision insurance but do not have a plan yet, see what a VSP® Individual Vision Plan could save you and everything it includes.
Ready for the next step? Take a look around VSP Direct, compare vision plans, or let the VSP Individual Vision Plan Selector match you with a plan in a couple of minutes. You can also see everything a plan includes on the Benefits & Savings page.
Sponsored by VSP. Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reviewed by Chris A. Smiley, O.D.
Chris Smiley, O.D. is the owner of Vision Professionals, a multi-location private practice in Central Ohio. With more than 25 years of experience, he focuses on comprehensive eye care, early detection of eye disease, dry eye, contact lens fitting, and helping patients maintain clear, comfortable vision.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Smiley is a VSP Vision Care provider and serves as a VSP Vision Ambassador, where he works with other doctors to improve patient access to care and promote eye health awareness. He is passionate about helping patients understand the connection between eye health and overall health.
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