Today we’re going to talk to you about a topic that most parents with school-age children feel strongly about: choosing their children’s eyeglasses

In fact, 80% of children’s learning takes place through their eyes, and it is therefore essential to protect them from visual problems right from early childhood, bearing in mind that the latter can influence children’s schooling to the point of creating psychological and behavioural discomfort.

Let’s go, therefore, to identify the characteristics that must have an eyeglass to be suitable for children.

Aesthetical Appearance

First of all, it is a good idea for the child to indicate the glasses that he or she feels are closest to his or her tastes in terms of colors and shapes. If the color is right, then the child will be more motivated and proud to wear them, without fear of not being accepted by classmates and friends.

The frame of the glasses should also follow the shape of the face, so as not to be perceived as something foreign.

Frame

Leaving aside the aesthetic aspect, let’s move on to analyze what is purely linked to practicality of use, i.e. the frame and its fit.

In this sense, the structure and characteristics of eyeglass frames can be summarized in three aspects:

The size of the glasses depends on the size of the eye sockets and the distance between the child’s eyes. The center of the spectacles should coincide with the center of the pupils. Also, they should not be higher than the eyebrows or wider than the face. In conclusion, the smaller and more compact the frames, the less risk of them being annoying. Buying glasses that are too large so that the child can grow without having to change them is absolutely not recommended.

Fitting Method. Small fitting errors significantly affect the performance of eyeglass lenses, even when it comes to frames dedicated to little ones. It is estimated, in fact, that conventional eyeglass fitting methods usually cause at least 40% of the loss in optical efficiency of the lenses.

Material. The material used for eyeglass frames must be suitable for the natural predisposition of children to movement, in other words, the essential elements must be sturdiness, but at the same time lightness and flexibility.

To avoid possible allergic problems related to the choice of materials, pure titanium is an excellent solution for children. It is a lightweight material that is extremely durable and tolerated. When purchasing, remember to look for the label “made of pure titanium!” (made of pure titanium).

Nasal Struts and Bridges

One element of eyeglass frames that deserves special attention are the temples, which must not cause excessive pressure on the temples in addition to keeping the glasses in the correct position.

What does the market offer for more dynamic and sporty children? An almost obligatory alternative in this sense are sport temples. The latter are flexible and adapt perfectly to children’s ears since they are covered with soft plastic, which allows the temples to reach the lobes.

Fast-moving ball sports or judo cause normal spectacles to slip, resulting in a risk of breakage. Various children’s spectacles are suitable for sports, but there are also special sports spectacles that, depending on the model, are made entirely of plastic. An elastic band on the temples worn around the nape of the neck can ensure greater stability of the glasses.

If your child has a passion for swimming, it may be worth buying swimming goggles with prescription lenses.

The nose bridge of the goggles should have the widest possible contact surface. The younger the child, the more important this is, since small children do not have a clearly defined nasal septum on which the goggles can rest. If the contact surface is large, the weight of the spectacles is therefore better distributed.

Finally, we would like to conclude by advising you to use all the services that your optician can offer, such as, for example, professional ultrasonic cleaning, which keeps the product in good condition and guarantees your child correct vision. As a rule, these services are totally free of charge.