Wearing glasses children (easy read)

Easy read fact sheet on wearing glasses for children. 

This is an easy read document

Glasses can help children to see clearly

A vision test

All children should have an eye test at least every year.

An optician

The person who tests your child’s eyes is called an optometrist.

We will call them an optician in this factsheet.

Glasses

After an eye test the optician may say your child needs new glasses.

Reading

Your child might need glasses to see things close to them:

Reading and writing.

Food

Eating.

A tablet

Using a computer, phone or tablet.

A television

Your child might need glasses to see things further away:

Watching TV.

A vision test

Watching someone signing.

Theatre

Going to the cinema or theatre.

A wheelchair user

Moving around safely.

Clear vision

Wearing the right glasses will help children see clearly.

Blurry vision

Some people need to wear glasses all the time or just sometimes.

A prescription

Your child’s optician will tell you why your child needs glasses.

They will give you a prescription which tells you about your child’s eyesight.

Thumbs up

You can go to any optician to choose your child's glasses.

You need to take your child's prescription and voucher with you to the optician.

A form

We have a form called – ‘The results of your child’s eye test’.

You can ask the optician to fill this form in.
 

Thumbs up

Your child may need 2 pairs of glasses.

Glasses for seeing things close to them, and glasses for seeing things further away.

Different colour glasses

To help you and your child remember which glasses are for which activities:

Your child could have different colour glasses.

Glasses case

Your child could have different colour glasses cases.

Television sticker

Your child could use stickers on the case to show what activities they are for.

Glasses

There are different types of glasses to choose from.

Bifocals or varifocals are glasses that have special lenses.

The lenses will help your child see further away and close to them.

Sunglasses

Your child can get glasses that help them see clearly that are also sunglasses.

Sun

Some glasses have lenses that go dark when the sun is out.

Trying new glasses

There are lots of frames that are very strong or very thin or flexible.

These frames might fit your child’s face better.

You should talk to a dispensing optician who will help you choose the right glasses.

It is important that your child wears their glasses

Different colour glasses

Tell people who help and support your child about their eyesight.

Health action plan

They need to know what your child’s glasses are for.

You could write why your child wears glasses in their health action plan or personal records at home or school.

Glasses

You may need to pay some money for your child's glasses.

Talk to the optician about the cost of your child's glasses.

Money

You will be able to get a voucher that makes your child's glasses cheaper or free.

Trying on glasses

The optician will make sure your child’s glasses fit well.

They will measure your child’s face to check the glasses fit well and are comfortable.

It may take a week or more for them to make the new glasses.

New glasses

It can take time for your child to get used to their glasses.

Your child may need to practice wearing them for a short time each day before they are happy to wear them all the time.

They may need support from people to help them get used to their glasses.

Glasses with a strap

Your child can have a strap for their glasses.
This stops their glasses falling off, getting lost or broken.

Glasses

You can ask the optician if you can have your child’s name put on the glasses frame.

Help your child to keep their glasses clean

Cleaning glasses

Your child should clean their glasses gently with the cloth in the glasses case every day or when you see they are dirty.

Soap

If your child’s glasses get very dirty, wash them carefully in warm soapy water then dry them with a glasses cloth.

Glasses case

Use the glasses case.

When your child takes their glasses off, keep them safe in the glasses case so they don’t get scratched or broken.

Wearing glasses

Tell your optician if your child’s glasses don't fit, are broken or uncomfortable.

Adjusting glasses

Your child’s glasses can become loose, slip down their nose, or even fall off their face.

Fixing glasses

You can take the glasses back to the optician if they are uncomfortable or you need to get them fixed.

An optician will often do small repairs for free.

Your child’s eyesight can change

Blurry vision

If you find that your child can’t see as well, things are blurred or they are screwing their eyes up to see with their glasses on, their eyesight may have changed.

A vision test

It is important to book another eye test.

It might be time to get new glasses.