Back to School Eyeglasses

Back to School Eyeglasses in Jacksonville, FL at VAL-Uvision

It’s estimated that more than a quarter of children have a vision problem that wearing glasses would correct. However, for some parents, a diagnosis through an eye exam is only the start of the problem.

While some children happily take to wearing glasses, enjoying both the novelty and the vision improvements they bring, a large number of kids are much more reluctant.

Unfortunately, uncorrected vision problems can have serious long-term effects, from delayed educational development to greater eventual sight impairment.

Why Are Back To School Eye Exams Important?

Direct Effects of Poor Vision on Schoolwork

There are a couple of factors which affect your child’s ability to do schoolwork. Poor vision has a physical effect on eyestrain causing visual fatigue and headaches. The other effects being able to read the board and written instructions are directly related to how well your child can see.

Indirect Effects of Poor Vision on Learning

Children who cannot see well may also display other issues that are related to poor vision but in a less direct way. These include things like frustration with schoolwork because it is so difficult, lack of attention, inability to focus or concentrate, and what appears to be learning difficulties or reading at a below-grade level. Because so much schoolwork is reliant on both seeing up close and at a distance, it is easy for a child who doesn’t see well to become discouraged or appear incapable of doing the work.

Vision Exams for Children

One of the differences between adults and children who have a poor vision is that children frequently don’t realize anything is wrong. They do not look around and wonder why everyone is finding it so much easier than they are or consider whether the words on the board are blurry to everyone. This means that if your child needs glasses, you will probably only be able to determine this by visiting a qualified optometrist for an exam.

Considering this, what can parents do to encourage children to put their glasses on more readily?

How To Encourage Your Child To Wear Back To School Glasses

Prepare the Positive Ground

If you suspect a vision problem, start preparing your child well before actually arranging an eye exam or buying glasses for them. Emphasize the benefits that glasses could bring if they need them.

Describe how they’ll find school easier and more fun, they’ll be better at sports, and they’ll feel less tired and headachy all the time. 

Approach this from a positive perspective rather than making a big deal about the downsides. As any parent knows, children can be exceptionally contrary. They’ll quickly dig their heels in if they feel they’re being scared or bullied into something they don’t want to do.

Let Them Choose Their Own Frame Style (Even If You May Not Like Them)

It’s your child who will be wearing the glasses, so let them choose their own frames (although probably with a little gentle guidance). If they’re unhappy with how they look or feel, it’ll only make the battle harder.

Many optometrists offer a discount deal on buying multiple eyeglass frames, and this can be very useful. Let your child choose an outlandish or fun pair for leisure time and a more somber pair for school or formal occasions. 

Be The Role Model & Wear Your Own Glasses, Too

If you also need eyesight correction, you may have graduated to contact lenses for convenience. However, now’s the time to start wearing your own glasses more often instead to help it seem more normal and everyday.

Find Celebrities or Sports Figures They Admire Who Sport Glasses

Start gently pointing out celebrities and other public figures who are wearing glasses. This is especially effective if your child already likes and respects the person, even more so if it’s a famous child.

Reward Your Child

It can help to occasionally reward your child for wearing their glasses without being told. However, take care over this. Make it an occasional reinforcement of a good habit, rather than something they’ll come to expect as part of the whole glasses-wearing deal.

Emphasize the Improvements

Lastly, as your child starts to wear their glasses more often and more easily, emphasize the benefits they’re gaining. Point out how much their school results have improved and offer genuine praise. Remind them how often they used to have headaches and how much better they now feel. Again, point out the positives rather than trying to scare with negative warnings.

Some children take to the novelty of wearing glasses completely naturally. However, some quite naturally kick back against such a major change. But if you approach the issue in the right way, you’ll avoid glasses becoming a source of conflict as well as protect your child’s eyesight into the future. 

 Call a VAL-Uvision Eye Doctor in Jacksonville, FL To Learn More!

If you would like to learn more about getting the best eyeglasses for your kids in Jacksonville, please contact a VAL-U Vision eye doctor today!