How to choose smart glasses for kids?
I am almost legally blind. Michael can’t see either so I guess I should not be surprised that my 7-year-old appears to have some vision issues. He passed the eye exam at the pediatrician’s office but they thought he seemed to struggle. They suggested I take him to a real eye doctor, which now I need to do.
I am dreading being told the kid needs glasses. He’s not going to want to wear them, and I feel certain they will be lost or broken rapidly.
So give me your best advice for purchasing frames for kids? Are the plastic frames stronger? Do the metal frames bend in case he’s kung-fu chopping with some kid? Do you definitely do the scratch protection? Do kids needs the anti-glare? (They aren’t driving but they are on the computer.)
Are there brands of frames or retailers of glasses that hold up well or have good deals on kids’ frames (like they’ll replace them if they break)? Do you get insurance on the glasses for kids? Is that a worthwhile investment? What is a reasonable price to pay for kids’ glasses? (I know stronger prescriptions cost more.)
Also, are big frames in again? (Please say no!) Check out this gallery of stars in glasses from the New York Daily News that suggests they are!
So please give me any and all eyeglass purchasing, protecting, convincing your kids to wear them advice. I need it.
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60 comments Add your comment
jarvis
January 26th, 2011
4:23 pm
Thanks Jeff. Always the last place you look.
motherjanegoose
January 26th, 2011
4:25 pm
@ jarvis…hubby will not go to the eye doctor and we have vision insurance. He wore those awful black rimmed glasses as a kid and hates wearing glasses, even though he needs them. Can’t help you with your keys…sorry!
Stacey
January 26th, 2011
4:37 pm
LOL @ Roswell Jeff answer to Jarvis
Actually, Jarvis...
January 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
…if you will put your glasses on, you will see your keys…
b
January 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
I have a 16 yo who wears contacts (has for 6 years) all day every day but wears his glasses at night and sometimes (when not going anywhere) on the weekend days. We have gotten the twist-any-which way you can for the last 5-6 years. Also, the scratch resistant and the ones where the lenses will not shatter. Vision insurance is used on the contacts, so for the glasses I pay cash. I don’t buy on-line as I want to make sure if they need to be adjusted I can get it done easily and quickly. Never had a problem with him wearing contacts or glasses….he can’t see in school or play sports without them.
Sandra
January 26th, 2011
4:53 pm
Do they still give eye tests when driver’s license is renewed? and will car insurance still pay out if you either need glasses and haven’t bothered getting tested or don’t wear the glasses while driving?
Becky
January 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
@jarvis..Not sure where your keys are, but I haven’t seen my car keys in over a week..One of the kids opened the car with them, and poof..
So Jeff, if you saw where jarivs’ keys were, please find mine..
catlady
January 26th, 2011
5:15 pm
Jarvis–so, where’d you lose them?
I’ve lost some weight, but I SURE don’t want to find it!
Yeah, I know eye exams are expensive. So is blindness. I have always considered them de rigeur (is that how you spell it?) Just one of those things, like wellness care, that a parent does for their child on a yearly basis. My son started with the opthomologist before he was 4 due to an accident; the girls were taken right about their 4th birthdays. There are things that parents don’t notice that can rob your child of sight! I would not depend on the pediatrician or the health department to examine my child’s eyes (well, I would for a baby with the pediatrician. Sometimes they are the ones that catch the cataracts, etc, in babies.) But by the time a child is responsive, I would have an exam by a professional eye person. Same for teeth.
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
January 26th, 2011
11:14 pm
One topic today because I had to the 3 year old to the doctor for lung issues. Had been treating barking and wheezing and today went into crackling and having to stop to get a breath while talking so we went to the doctor! Low blood oxygen level so on three meds now. So hopefully better in the morning.
I forget who commented on the top photo but I agree we need to update the photo — but alas I too will be 3 years older!! hmmm..
jarvis
January 26th, 2011
11:44 pm
Sorry to hear about the youngster TWG. Hope all is well.
I think filled in admirably in your absence. The location of my keys are usually a hot-button topic. Feel free to fall back on it yourself anytime you need it.
Turns out they were in my pocket.