What Is the Process of Getting Kids Eyeglasses?

Prescription eyeglasses can help children see more clearly, reducing eye strain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Moreover, getting kids eyeglasses can be easy and convenient with the right optometrist. If your child needs glasses, here is what you can expect at every step of the way.

Signs to consider kids eyeglasses

First, it can be helpful to know when a child may need glasses. Some of the most noticeable signs include squinting and rubbing their eyes excessively. Crossed eyes can also indicate the need for eyeglasses. Lesser-known signs include:

• Tilting their head
• Holding objects close to their face to see better
• Complaining of light sensitivity, eye pain, or headaches
• Tripping, falling, or running into objects
• Difficulty focusing on or keeping up with homework

Visiting the optometrist for kids eyeglasses

Parents should take their children to an optometrist for glasses. While generic glasses are available at drug stores, an optometrist can create a custom prescription that corrects vision more effectively. Custom glasses can give the eyes a rest and, in some cases, may even improve a child's vision. Explore the process of getting custom kids eyeglasses below.

Eye examination

An eye examination aims to assess the overall health of the child's eye. This includes evaluating their focusing and tracking abilities, such as how well they can track an object, like a pen, moving side to side and then closer to their face. An optometrist will assess the patient's peripheral vision, color vision, and hand-eye coordination.

During an eye exam, the optometrist will also conduct tests to look at the internal structure of the eye. They may dilate the pupils with eye drops so that they can look into the eyes for signs of eye disease. Additionally, pupil dilation allows the optometrist to examine the health of the retina and the back of the eye.

Creating a custom prescription

The next part of an eye exam is the visual acuity test, in which the child will look at an eye chart through various lenses. The optometrist will ask the child which lenses make the chart appear clearer, creating a custom prescription as they conduct the test. Alternatively, this test will reveal if the child does not need glasses.

Selecting frames

The next step for children who need vision correction is to select frames. An optometrist's office typically has a wide range of frames to choose from, and an optical assistant can assist children and their parents in narrowing down their search based on the child's prescription and preferences. The optical assistant can provide advice on which frames suit certain face shapes, the size of the prescription, and more.

However, an optical assistant's main role is to fit whichever pair the child chooses to their face. This involves measuring the distance between the pupils (i.e., pupillary distance) and marking this on the frames. Once the fitting is complete, the frames are sent to a lab to have the child's custom prescription put in. Parents can typically pick up their child's eyeglasses in about five to ten business days.

Schedule an appointment for your child

If you think your child may need glasses, it cannot hurt to consult an optometrist. Ours at Carmi Eye Care will conduct an eye exam and determine if they need eyeglasses. Contact us today for an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.carmieyecare.com or call Carmi Eye Care at (618) 374-0513 for an appointment in our Carmi office.

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