Key Takeaways
- Let children pick their own frames to boost their excitement.
- Start with short wear times at home before moving to school hours.
- Reward consistent wear with small prizes or a sticker chart.
- Talk to teachers about the new prescription and classroom habits.
- Schedule eye exams as recommended by an eye doctor to help maintain the right fit.
Help Your Child Adapt to Glasses
Your child has just been prescribed their new glasses, and you feel relieved that they’ll finally be able to see the board in school. But a new problem presents itself: They don’t want to wear them. At Total Vision Pasadena, our team is familiar with this issue, but we have a few tips that can help.
This guide will outline 5 tips to help your child get used to glasses, like involving them in the frame selection process and building up their wear time slowly.
Let Your Child Pick Their Frames
Make the Choice Fun
Kids love being part of the selection process. We provide a wide range of styles for children so you can browse colors together and help them find frames to be excited about. Sometimes, adding a fun accessory like a colorful case or a cleaning cloth can make the experience feel special rather than a chore.
Prioritize Comfort and Fit
A well-fitting pair of frames can help your child forget they’re even wearing glasses. Our team can check that the frames sit well on their nose without sliding down or pinching their ears and make adjustments based on their unique features.
For kids, selecting durable, lightweight materials is often a good idea, because children spend so much time running around being active.
Introduce the Glasses Slowly
How Long Does the Transition Take?
Every child is different, so there’s no 1-size-fits-all adjustment period to point to. Generally, however, many children adjust to their updated vision and the feeling of frames in around 2–3 weeks.
Start with short periods at home while they watch a favorite television show or read a book, and gradually increase the wear time each day until they keep the frames on until bedtime. It’s also important to know that wearing glasses does not make your vision worse.
Create a Morning Habit
A consistent daily schedule can help your child remember to wear their frames. You can prompt them to put their frames on right after breakfast, or leave sticky notes on the bathroom mirror as a visual cue. A simple morning routine turns this new requirement into a normal part of their day.
Use Positive Reinforcement and Rewards
Celebrate Their New Look
Kids often respond well to praise from their parents and family members. You can offer genuine compliments often to boost their mood and self-image. Try pointing out their favorite cartoon characters or professional athletes who wear frames, or wear your own glasses consistently to show them how normal this routine looks.
Set Up a Reward System
A visual tracking method can keep kids motivated. You could use a sticker chart to track daily wear on the refrigerator, and offer small prizes for consistency at the end of the week.
Build Confidence for School
Address Social Concerns Early
Kids often worry about looking different from their classmates when they return to school. This is understandable, and it’s important to listen to their worries without dismissing their feelings or fears. You can validate their emotions and remind them that many other children wear frames to manage common conditions like nearsightedness. You could even role-play positive responses together so they know exactly what to say to curious peers.
Partner with Teachers
A supportive classroom environment makes a big difference. You can inform teachers about the new prescription before Monday morning and ask for their support with gentle reminders if your child takes them off. If your child is very active, talk through a plan with them for what they’ll do during recess to help them see everything clearly and comfortably.
Visit Your Eye Doctor in Pasadena Regularly
Watch for Signs of Discomfort
A comfortable fit helps keep kids happy with their frames. You can watch for specific signals that it might be time for a visit to our office:
- Frequent squinting or rubbing eyes
- Complaints about headaches after reading
- Redness around the nose or behind the ears
These signs could indicate the need for a frame adjustment or a new prescription. Either way, our team is here to support your child and your entire family as they grow.
Schedule Your Child’s Visit
Our team at Total Vision Pasadena can help your child find the right frames for their active lifestyle and support you in guiding them through the adjustment. Schedule your family’s appointment today.
