Some children take to wearing their glasses straight away and find an immediate benefit to their vision. For other children adapting into glasses can take time. Your child may initially complain of blurred vision or headaches. They may want to take the glasses off frequently or look over the top. What is important is to reassure your child, keep encouraging wear and build up the time that glasses are worn

The glasses prescription / voucher

You have been given a glasses prescription for your child.
To have the glasses made up, you must take this prescription to an optician of your choice. Remember to keep your copy of this prescription.
The prescription acts as a voucher towards the initial cost of the glasses.
The optician will let you know how much the voucher is worth.
Although there are no ‘NHS glasses’ anymore, many opticians supply a range of frames and lenses within the voucher price. If you decide to choose a more expensive frame or request thinner lenses, you may need to make a contribution towards the cost. In this case you may have to pay towards any necessary repairs or replacements.

Obtaining your child’s glasses

Children’s glasses are fitted by the dispensing optician. Your child will need to be present when choosing and collecting the frames to ensure a good fit. Allow your child to take an active role in choosing the frame.

When choosing an optician consider:

How easy is it to get to for repairs?
Do they have a good selection of children’s frames?
How long do repairs and replacements take?
Is the optician good at dealing with children?

Poorly fitting glasses

Your child may dislike wearing their glasses if they are uncomfortable or do not fit properly. It is important that their glasses fit well. Things to look out for are:

Glasses slipping down the nose and your child looks over the top
Arms of glasses leaving a mark on the sides of the face
Nose piece of glasses marking the sides of nose
Redness behind ears
Frames seem too large and glasses slide around

In the first instance contact the optician who dispensed the glasses. Often simple adjustment of the nose pads or earpieces is all that is needed, but they may also be able to advise you about sports bands, silicone strip nosepieces, curly ends, rounder lenses or special frames.

Repairs

Children often have accidents with their glasses. If the glasses are bent out of shape or damaged they should be repaired as soon as possible.

Although you can go to any optician for repairs, it is better if you take them back to the same optician who supplied them. Therefore it is important that you choose your optician carefully. If you do choose to go to a different optician then you will need to take your copy of the glasses prescription.

A separate repair voucher can be issued by the optician. This is used towards the cost of adjustments, repairs or replacement of glasses

Second pair

A second pair of glasses can only be issued if there is a clinical requirement. In this case, the optician who dispensed the first pair of glasses will apply in writing on your behalf, to the governing body, which will make the decision. You can purchase a second pair of glasses yourselves, if you wish.

How often will a new glasses voucher be issued?

Usually your child will have an annual refraction (glasses test) at the hospital eye department. A voucher for new glasses will be issued if required. In some circumstances your local optician may be asked to carry out the refraction instead. The eye care team will advise if this is appropriate.

The first week

When introducing the glasses, choose a time of day when your child is happy and not tired. Make sure you have plenty of time to dedicate to supervising the glasses wear.

It is important to establish a routine. Aim to put the glasses on your child when they get dressed in the morning and take them off just before bedtime.

If your child removes the glasses, replace them without delay. Try to distract your child by showing them a favourite book, toy, video, game or taking them outside for a walk.

General tips for encouraging glasses wear

In most cases children are advised to wear their glasses whenever they are awake. Your orthoptist or optician will advise you.

It is important to explain when the glasses should be worn to anyone who may be looking after your child (e.g. grandparents, child minder, school/ nursery).

If your child is reluctant to wear the glasses then try to keep them well occupied with toys/games/videos. With younger children/babies it may be helpful to give them something to hold in each hand.

You may need to build up wear and begin with 10-20 minutes and increase each day.
Using a “star chart”, stickers or rewards can be an incentive to younger children.

Praise your child frequently for keeping their glasses on and encourage friends and family to make your child feel “important”.

Point out positive role models – family members, sports/ pop/ TV stars who wear glasses.

If your child is having problems, please check with the optician that the glasses have been made up correctly and fit comfortably.

If you have any further questions the eye care team will be happy to discuss each case individually.

My child is struggling to wear their glasses

If you feel that you need some extra support in helping your child to wear their glasses, please contact the orthoptic department on 0191 2824434 and ask to speak with the nursery nurse. We can arrange a telephone consultation.

For further information

Contact details

Appointments Office

To change or cancel an appointment: 0191 282 4444.

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

Orthoptic Department

To speak to an Orthoptist about treatment: 0191 282 4434.

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)

For help, advice and information about NHS services. You can contact them on Freephone 0800 032 02 02, e-mail northoftynepals@nhct.nhs.uk or text to 07815500015.

If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit https://www.accessable.co.uk

Useful websites

If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk