As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your child’s eye health is to teach them how to care for their glasses. Glasses are an essential part of many children's daily lives, and with proper care, they can last for a long time, providing clear and comfortable vision. However, children often don’t understand the importance of handling glasses with care, so it’s important to guide them through the best practices for keeping their frames and lenses in top condition.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can teach your child about taking care of their glasses, ensuring both the frames and lenses remain in excellent condition for long-lasting, clear vision.
Clean you’re Lenses Properly
One of the simplest and most important habits your child can develop is regular lens cleaning. Over time, dirt, smudges, and fingerprints can build up on the lenses, impairing vision. Here’s what to teach your child:
Use a Microfiber Cloth: Always use a microfiber cloth to clean the lenses. Avoid using your shirt, tissues, or paper towels as these can scratch the lenses. A microfiber cloth is designed to remove dirt without damaging the lens surface.
Cleaning Solution: If the lenses are very dirty, use an appropriate lens cleaner, not household cleaners. You can even buy lens cleaning solutions specifically designed for children’s eyewear. Spraying the cleaner directly on the lenses and wiping with a microfiber cloth will ensure that dirt and smudges are removed safely.
Routine Cleaning: Encourage your child to clean their lenses at the start of each day and whenever they notice dirt or smudges. This ensures that their vision remains clear and that the lenses stay in top condition.
Handle Glasses by the Temples (Arms)
A common mistake children make is grabbing their glasses by the lenses or rough handling, which can lead to distortion or bent frames. Teach your child to always handle their glasses by the temples (the arms that rest on the ears). This helps to maintain the shape of the frame and prevents unnecessary stress on the lenses.
Keep Glasses Safe: Show your child how to gently adjust their glasses by holding the temples and avoid pulling on the frame. If the frame feels tight or loose, encourage them to ask an adult for help instead of adjusting it themselves, to prevent any damage.
Store Glasses in a Case
Children tend to leave their glasses on tables, beds, or even on the floor, where they can easily get scratched or bent. Teaching your child to always store their glasses in a protective case will keep them safe from damage.
Use a Hard Case: Invest in a sturdy case that offers protection for the glasses when they’re not being worn. Make sure the case is easy for your child to open and close, and encourage them to use it every time they take their glasses off.
Avoid Leaving Glasses Around the House: If your child doesn’t use a case, they may forget where they placed their glasses, which increases the risk of accidental damage. Teach them to always store their glasses in a safe, consistent location.
Keep Glasses Away from Heat
Heat can damage both the frames and lenses, causing them to warp or become brittle. It's essential that your child knows not to leave their glasses in hot environments.
Don’t Leave Glasses in the Car: On sunny days, the inside of a car can heat up quickly, causing plastic frames to warp or lenses to become discoloured. Teach your child never to leave their glasses in the car, and remind them that hot places can weaken the materials.
Avoid Direct Heat: Glasses should also be kept away from sources of direct heat, such as radiators, stoves, or even hot showers. Constant exposure to heat can lead to frame distortion or lens damage over time.
Teach Your Child to Avoid Touching the Lenses
Many children touch their lenses frequently, especially when they’re cleaning them or adjusting their glasses. However, touching the lenses with dirty hands can leave fingerprints or smudges, and potentially cause scratches over time.
Clean Hands First: Before touching the lenses, remind your child to wash their hands thoroughly. This will reduce the risk of transferring dirt and oils onto the lenses.
Avoid Touching the Lenses: Teach your child to only touch the temples or the bridge of the glasses, not the lenses. This reduces the risk of getting smudges or scratches on the lenses.
Don’t Wear Glasses While Sleeping
It might seem obvious, but children can sometimes fall asleep with their glasses on. Sleeping in glasses can cause the frames to get bent out of shape or the lenses to get scratched.
Establish a Routine: Set a routine where your child takes off their glasses before going to bed. This simple habit can prevent potential damage and ensure that the glasses maintain their proper fit.
Leave Glasses by the Bedside: Make sure your child has a safe place to put their glasses when they’re not wearing them, such as a nightstand or a shelf next to their bed.
Regularly Check the Fit
Glasses may shift as children grow, and they may need adjustments to ensure they remain comfortable and secure. Teach your child to let you know if their glasses feel loose or uncomfortable.
Comfortable Fit: Regularly check that the glasses fit well on your child’s face. If the frames start slipping or pinching, they may need adjustment by an optometrist or optician. A proper fit will prevent discomfort and ensure the lenses stay correctly aligned.
Teach Your Child Responsibility
By teaching your child how to care for their glasses, you’re instilling a sense of responsibility and ownership. When children take care of their eyewear, they become more aware of the value of the things they use every day.
Accountability: Encourage your child to keep track of where their glasses are at all times. The more responsible they feel for their eyewear, the more likely they will be to take proper care of it.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child when they handle their glasses properly. Positive reinforcement helps them understand the importance of eye care and encourages them to continue developing good habits.
Caring for glasses is an essential skill that your child can learn to maintain their vision and extend the life of their eyewear. By following these tips—cleaning lenses properly, handling the glasses with care, storing them in a safe place, and teaching responsibility—you can help your child keep their glasses in great shape for many years. Not only will this lead to better eye health, but it will also teach your child valuable habits that can be applied to other areas of their life.
