How to Get Kids to Wear GlassesUseful Tips and Tricks
As a parent, you want to ensure the best for your kid, including finding the most stylish pair of glasses to improve their vision while helping them feel comfortable. However, it’s always frustrating if your child refuses to wear them. Not only are glasses a significant investment—your child needs them to see!
Forcing children to wear glasses probably won’t work well, especially since they might remove them as soon as they’re out of your sight. Instead, understanding why your child is resisting and finding ways to offer positive encouragement during the transition process are best when you’re wondering how to get kids to wear glasses.
At Visionworks, we’ve seen this situation countless times, so we share what you can do if your child is resistant to wearing glasses. We cover some of the main reasons kids refuse and provide encouraging tips. With our help, your child will love those new eyeglasses in no time!
Why Doesn’t My Kid Like Wearing Their Glasses?
Like anything new, children often resist wearing glasses for various reasons, even if those glasses help them see better. The most common reasons for resistance include:
Comfort
Glasses that don’t fit right can slide down the nose, itch behind the ears, pinch the bridge of the nose or give your child a headache.
Age
A child’s age significantly impacts their tolerance for wearing glasses. The older a child is, the more likely they will keep them on as they should. Toddlers typically struggle the most, so we provide toddler-specific tips later in this article.
Lack of Familiarity
When kids aren’t used to wearing glasses or sunglasses, they can get annoyed with them and try to take them off more often.
Outdated Prescriptions
If your child’s prescription is incorrect, they may remove their glasses often because they don’t provide the correct visual improvement.
Overstimulation
Some children may feel overstimulated and highly uncomfortable having glasses perched on their faces throughout the day.
Eyestrain or Dizziness
It’s rare, but sometimes a child wearing glasses for the first time may not know how to describe the discomfort of eyestrain or their feelings of dizziness with new frames. Instead, the child may avoid wearing them altogether.
Appearance Concerns
Children often feel insecure about wearing glasses for the first time. They may not initially like their appearance or even feel jealous of kids who don’t have to wear glasses.
Bullying
Sadly, kids may experience teasing or bullying for wearing glasses. Your child may refuse to wear glasses because they face social pressures at school.
Why Do Kids with Autism Have a Hard Time Wearing Glasses?
Children on the autism spectrum often struggle with wearing glasses because they do not like the feeling of something touching their faces. These children may experience hypersensitivity to the sense of touch. Glasses can become a powerful stimulus, potentially leading to children removing their glasses constantly or feeling overwhelmed when wearing them.
If you’re wondering how to get autistic kids to wear glasses, try introducing glasses into their daily routine in small increments to help them get used to the feeling. Rewarding your child may also aid in the process.
How Can You Convince Your Child to Wear Glasses?
If your child doesn't want to wear new glasses, don't worry. Here are eight tips to help children learn the importance of wearing glasses and encourage them to do so independently.
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Offer Options
First things first: Let your child choose their own frames! Giving your child a say in selecting new glasses makes them feel included in the decision and provides an outlet for self-expression. At Visionworks, we have hundreds of unique and stylish kids’ glasses frames to choose from to help your child get excited about having a new look.
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Set Expectations and Keep a Schedule
Sit down with your child and set clear expectations about wearing glasses. You could also create a schedule. Kids should put glasses on first thing in the morning rather than mid-day because starting later in the day can make it harder to adjust to new glasses and even lead to headaches.
Set a time in the evening or night when they can take the glasses off. Having a routine usually makes it easier for both your child and you. Talk to those who are around your child during the day, such as teachers at school or daycare, so they know the importance of helping your kid keep glasses on.
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Emphasize the Positive
Your child may have negative initial thoughts about wearing glasses and feel resistant to change. Counter this by emphasizing the positive.
With younger kids, present glasses as a magic superpower that brings clear vision. With older children, show them influential figures and celebrities who wear glasses. We obviously think glasses are cool, so make sure your kids know that!
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Invest in Backup Glasses
When it comes to kids, accidents happen. Instead of creating pressure for your child to always safeguard their frames, invest in a backup pair of glasses. While your child needs to learn to take care of glasses, knowing there’s a backup helps take some of the pressure off in case they lose or damage the frames.
Backup glasses allow your child to play with different styles and change them occasionally, making wearing glasses more exciting. Visionworks always has special offers to make getting a backup pair of glasses affordable.
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Find the Right Fit
Children are all about comfort. If your child’s new glasses don’t feel good, they tend to resist wearing them. Have your child try on multiple frames in person to find the ones that fit the best.
At Visionworks, we offer free adjustments and cleanings so your child’s frames always feel and look their best.
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Get an Updated Prescription
Your child’s prescription lenses are the most important part of their glasses. If the prescription is out-of-date, they may experience eye strain, headaches or even dizziness. To avoid this issue, keep up with annual or back-to-school eye exams so your child’s prescription is always current.
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Have a Transition Period
Young children and those with mental or physical disorders often have trouble wearing glasses. Training your child by having them practice wearing their glasses can help them overcome these challenges.
You can ease your child into the experience by having them wear sunglasses with the lenses popped out for a few hours every day. Another idea: When they first get their new glasses, start by wearing them for an hour at a time, increasing the wear time until the child gets used to having them on all day.
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Explain How Glasses Work
Younger kids may not understand how glasses work and why they must wear them. During an eye exam, take time with the eye doctor to discuss how glasses function and their importance. At home, explain that wearing glasses takes getting used to, and point out how well they can see when wearing their glasses.
At Visionworks, we want children to love how they look, see, and feel in their new glasses. That’s why we offer our 100-day guarantee. If your child doesn’t love the new frames, we’ll exchange them for up to 100 days after purchase.
How to Get Your Toddler to Wear Glasses
Toddlers often find it especially difficult to wear glasses. The tips below are specific to younger kids who may need help understanding the importance of wearing them.
Wear Glasses Around Them
Toddlers learn by imitating their parents and family members. If your toddler sees you wearing glasses, even non-prescription ones, they might become more interested in wearing theirs.
Get A Strap
A strap connecting the arms of their glasses behind their head holds glasses in place. This addition keeps the glasses from getting bumped out of place as easily and helps prevent the child from removing them.
Offer Rewards
Give your child some motivation and let them know they can earn a prize if they keep their glasses on all day. If your child meets their daily goal, give them a special treat.
Provide Distractions
Toddlers are distracted very easily. When your child expresses frustration with their glasses, try to catch their attention with something else, like a snack, a new game, or going on a walk.
What Are the Best Glasses for Kids?
Toddlers often find it especially difficult to wear glasses. The tips below are specific to younger kids who may need help understanding the importance of wearing them.
- Try frames with spring hinges for a comfortable and secure fit.
- Both metal and plastic frames are durable, so let your child try each type and choose which material feels more comfortable.
- Invest in polycarbonate lenses, which can stand up to scratches, smudges and the impact of an active lifestyle.
- Consider light-reactive or blue light filtering lenses to help shield your child’s eyes from the sun’s UV rays and blue light from digital devices and TV.
- Involve your child in the process of choosing new frames. Let them choose glasses they like, such as frames in their favorite color or featuring a unique pattern or shape.
- Invest in a backup pair of glasses, just in case. Kids will be kids!
Children tend to be rougher on glasses than adults, so select frames that can transition from the classroom to the playground and everywhere in between. At Visionworks, we have top kids’ glasses brands, including Ray-Ban, Nike and Converse, that can fit all kids’ needs. We have you covered—no matter what style your kiddo may prefer.
Choose Visionworks for Your Child’s Glasses
If you notice clues telling you your child needs glasses, look for a Visionworks store near you. As your one-stop shop for all your child’s eye care needs, our providers know how to work with kids to get accurate prescriptions and make them feel comfortable during the process.
We’re on a mission to simplify eye care. Visionworks is your one-stop shop for all your child’s eye care needs. Schedule an appointment at a Visionworks store near you to get an updated prescription, shop for new frames and get the proper adjustments for the most comfortable fit ever. With our help, your child will love those new glasses!
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Information received through Visionworks® content 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.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
