e are two weeks into Father’s Month, and sensitive to the role that fathers play in the children’s lives, we think it’s worthwhile to bring your attention to the importance of frames when buying glasses for your youngsters.

And remember, apart from our Father’s Day promotion. We are offering children under the age of 12 years free eye tests, until the end of the year.

The age of your son or daughter will determine the type of frame he/she will feel comfortable wearing. The first step, however, is an eye examination. This can be somewhat daunting for children, but we are sympathetic to their sensitivities, and in a short while they will understand that there is no pain attached to all the ‘heavy-duty’ equipment they see.

Children’s eyes can change rapidly, so your child must have an up-to-date prescription for the best possible vision and comfort, before investing in new frames.

Once the test has been completed the fun time begins…

With the variety available, choosing a frame can be confusing – here are a few tips to consider.

• It’s important that the frame does not sit on your child’s cheeks and cause pressure marks and discomfort – and it should not be higher than the eyebrows or wider than the face. As a rule, the smaller the frame, the less likely it is to bother your child.
• Most children will be self-conscious wearing glasses for the first time, so choose a frame that has a modern, attractive style. One should be conscious of the fact that sometimes the nickel in metal frames causes an allergic reaction.
• Features such as photochromic lenses that darken automatically in sunlight may help inspire your child to want to wear glasses.
• If your child needs strong lenses that are likely to be thick, avoid a large frame that will increase the thickness of the lenses – and keep in mind that smaller lenses decrease the risk of blurred or distorted peripheral vision.
• Ensure a proper bridge fit. Children’s noses are not fully developed so they don’t have a mature bridge that would prevent the frame from sliding down the nose. There must be no gap between the bridge of the frame and bridge of the nose because the weight of the lenses will cause the glasses to slide, no matter how well the frame seems to fit before the lenses are put in.
• Ask your optometrist about temples that wrap around the ears – and temples with spring hinges.

If your child is involved in sport, we recommend a proper sports goggle with polycarbonate lenses because that will provide the best protection against eye injury.

Our previous blogs offer insight into eyes and vision – and how to take care of both.  We recommend that you visit: https://visionworksbayside.co.za/eyecare-articles/ – and we welcome you to pop into