More kids need glasses than ever before. School-age children now spend less time outdoors and more time looking at nearby objects like digital devices. That makes them more likely to develop myopia, or nearsightedness. Time spent in school can worsen myopia, too, since it also keeps kids indoors doing near work like reading and writing.
That said, you may eventually find that your kid needs to wear glasses for the first time—but doesn’t want to. This refusal is most likely due to peer pressure. The Review of Optometric Business notes that if few kids in their class use glasses or they’re likely to get bullied, kids won’t want to wear them. They may also reject glasses if they don’t like the appearance, fit, or effect they have on their vision.
Myopia will progress as your kid’s eyes grow. If they don’t wear their glasses, these specs can’t play their part in slowing the development of the condition. So, how do you help kids get comfortable wearing them? Here are some tips that can work great with schoolchildren.
Get the right prescription
Glasses that correct your kid’s eyesight aren’t enough. If good eyesight helps your kid see all the letters the optometrist shows them, functional vision allows them to move, focus, and track objects with their eyes so they can better interact with their surroundings. In a presentation during the annual meeting of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Dr Brandon Begotka explained that schoolchildren may reject their glasses because their prescription doesn’t account for functional vision. In other words, they won’t wear glasses they believe don’t work for them.
You can nip this issue in the bud by ensuring they get the right prescription. Book an advanced eye test that will check for both refractive errors and functional vision abilities like eye coordination. Getting an exam specifically designed for kids—the visual charts will use more fun images, and they’ll even get a sticker after—may better motivate your child to get tested. And you’ll leave the optometrist with the best prescription possible to help them feel comfortable wearing glasses!
Have them pick their frames
Cultivating independence in schoolchildren despite their young age is vital: it fosters confidence in their capabilities, improving their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. If your kid resents their glasses because of their appearance or fit, turn things around by having them pick their own frames.
Take them to the local opticians so they can try on different glass frames, check how they look, and test how they fit. That way, they pick a pair that isn’t too tight or too loose and helps them best express their personality. It’s a great way to ensure they’ll be comfortable wearing their specs—and since they had a hand in picking them out, they may even feel more responsible for taking care of their new glasses in the long run.
Help them discover the benefits
If peer pressure keeps your kids from wearing glasses—even if they know they need it—they might need a little more convincing to start getting comfortable with their specs. You can do so through show, not tell, by doing some activities with your kid that rely heavily on good vision.
Watch family-friendly films like The Adventures of Tintin or play competitive video games like Mario Kart, but only allow your kids to wear their glasses halfway through. And if you’re having your kid spend more time outdoors, try organising a glasses-free treasure hunt. That will demonstrate to your kids how glasses make it easier for them to go about their day so they become more comfortable wearing them—no matter what others may think.
Set a good example
Just like how restricting your screen time encourages kids to do the same, wearing glasses yourself can help them get more comfortable with their own. That’s because children model their behaviour after yours. This tip will be straightforward if you or your partner already wear prescription glasses.
If you don’t, you can always wear other glasses to achieve the same effect. Those who don’t need reading glasses can always invest in blue light glasses. Aside from being a prop for the example you’re setting, these can serve another purpose. By blocking excess blue light from the sun and digital screens these can reduce your chances of blue light straining your eyes and disturbing your sleep cycle. They can thus serve as a good motivation for you to set a consistent example, too!
Ask for support
If your child is comfortable enough to wear their glasses at home but not in school, it’s time to call in reinforcements. Consider asking their teacher to encourage your kid to wear glasses during class or their guidance counsellor if they’ve experienced bullying while wearing glasses. These professionals can then talk to your child and even their classmates to foster a safe school environment where it’s comfortable for schoolchildren to wear their glasses consistently.
