Nicole Klein, OD, FAAO, Optometrist, Southwest Health Eye Center
“My glasses broke!”, “These frames keep falling down!” and “I can’t see out of my new glasses!”
What does a parent do when they hear these dreaded words from their child? Purchasing glasses from the optical at The Eye Center at Southwest Health Center offers benefits that I believe as an optometrist are especially important for a child’s visual experience: fit, quality and accuracy.
Selecting and fitting glasses for kids can be a fun but potentially stressful experience. Trying on different frame styles and colors and finding the one that fits them well, and that they can fall in love with, can go a long way in ensuring proper wear and adaptation to glasses. Career opticians in the optical department of the Eye Center at Southwest Health who can also advise on proper size, shape and colors for their facial features. Our opticians ensure that patients find the right frame to match their prescription.
Children wear glasses daily, which puts a lot of strain on them. Active kids can be tough on their eyewear, so durability is key. As eye care providers, we don’t want their glasses getting in the way. Here are a few key elements to consider when purchasing glasses for kids:
- Invest in high quality frame materials like flexible metals, plastics or hinges that can make the glasses better able to withstand wear and tear.
- Consider lens materials like Trivex plastic, which can be more durable and offer cleaner vision without distortions or aberrations.
- Compare options for lens treatments like anti-glare and transitions/color changing lenses. This can be excellent choices for protecting kids eyes from light interference and UV rays.
- Purchase glasses from a provider that cares for your glasses after the purchase. When glasses do get bent or broken Southwest Health opticians can adjust, repair or assist in taking advantage of our one-year frame and lens warranty for prompt replacement.
We often take for granted that glasses will be made accurately according to the prescription from the eye exam, but this is not always the case.
According to a study by the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council, 44.8% of glasses ordered from an online retailer have some form of inaccuracy in the prescription or do not meet safety standards. These small inaccuracies can be especially detrimental for a child’s developing visual system, causing discomfort, strain or reduced vision.
The laboratories used by the optical at the Eye Center at Southwest Health offer precision fabrication lens systems and each pair of glasses is verified onsite by our opticians to ensure they meet American National Standards Institute criteria for accuracy. We stand behind our work; we stand behind our doctors’ work. If a prescription needs to be changed, we will change it at no charge for the first 90 days.
The Eye Center at Southwest Health providers are all dedicated members of southwest Wisconsin communities and are committed to ensuring all of our patients, child or adult, are seeing their best with well fitting, quality and accurate glasses.
Southwest Health’s Eye Centers in Platteville, Darlington, and Lancaster are excited to announce a Back-to-School Eye Sale, offering parents the opportunity to purchase a second pair of glasses for their children ages 18 and under at 50% off. This promotion runs from August 1 to September 30, helping families prepare for the new school year.
The sale includes 50% off a second pair of kids’ glasses or sunglasses at any Southwest Health Eye Center. This offer is perfect for dealing with everyday wear and tear, accidental damage during sports, or providing protection with blue light blocking lenses. Every pair of glasses from Southwest Health comes with a one-year warranty.
It’s recommended children get their eyes tested before starting school, as an eye exam is the only way to ensure children see clearly and can fully participate with their peers. While most children can pass a vision test at school, this doesn’t screen for more severe problems like myopia, lazy eye, crossed eyes, or misaligned eyes. Scheduling a yearly eye exam can help give parents peace of mind that children have all the tools they need to succeed, in and out of the classroom.
