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Don’t let your child think that he is “flawed” or “ugly” if he needs glasses.  Explain to him the importance of wearing the glasses and that his glasses will help him see the world around him much better.  If your child is old enough, let him pick out his glasses frames, but help him find a pair that matches his face and features.  Encourage your child with compliments about his glasses, and try to keep sibling teasing to a minimum.  Lots of positive reinforcement will be needed to teach your child to care for and appreciate his new glasses.  Also, if you have glasses, make sure you set a good example by wearing them.

What to look for in glasses

For most children, polycarbonate lenses are best.  They are lightweight, shatterproof, and strong.  However, they do scratch easily, so a scratch-resistant coating might be a good idea. Buy frames that match the lens type for the best fit. 

Also consider:

• silicone nose pads to prevent the glasses from slipping
• comfort cables to wrap the frames around the child’s ears
• flexible hinges that bend outward for children who do not take the glasses off gracefully or carefully
• straps to keep the glasses on