NEW GLASSES, INSTANT VISION?

Visual development in children

You have seen your optometrist, had a thorough eye examination, and collected your new glasses. Putting your new glasses on for the first time, you expect to be able to see perfectly clearly, but you may be disappointed. Your vision may be a little blurred or seem too sharp, your eyes may feel tired, and you may experience headaches. While some people may be able to see well and feel comfortable immediately, for many people there is a period of adjustment.Because we see with our brains, it often takes a while for the eyes and the brain to coordinate getting used to a new prescription.

The length of time for adjusting to your new glasses depends on whether you are wearing glasses for the first time, the strength of your prescription, or whether there has been a significant change in the prescription. You may have changed from a small frame to a larger frame, or vice versa, or even from contact lenses to glasses. All these factors can affect how quickly and easily you get used to your glasses.

Adjusting to bifocals or progressive lenses may take a little more time, particularly if you are wearing them for the first time. Bifocals will demand adjustment to the line in the lenses. Progressive lenses may alter your peripheral vision slightly, requiring some changes in your head and eye movements. In time you will become accustomed to these changes and they will feel more natural as you adjust to the new lenses.

Guidelines for adjustment

As tempting as it may be to wear your old glasses, alternating between your old and new glasses will make the adjustment period longer. Stop wearing your old glasses immediately.

Wear your new glasses throughout the day.

Wear your new glasses high on the bridge of your nose and as close to your face as possible.

If you are new to multifocals, practice turning your head (instead of just your eyes) toward the object you’re looking at. For nearer object, move your head vertically until the object glides into focus.

Time frame

For most people, the adaptation period will only last a few hours. Some individuals may need from several days to a couple of before they become completely comfortable. If you've been wearing your glasses for this period of time or longer and your vision still feels uncomfortable in any way, contact your optometrist. He will check your lenses against your prescription, to verify that your glasses have been made up correctly. Or he may need to recheck your prescription by retesting you.

Wearing glasses can be a big adjustment for children.

Help children adjust to new glasses through fun and play. Let them wear sunglasses or toy glasses at first, gradually introducing them to their prescription glasses.

Praise them for wearing their glasses.

Help them identify with others who wear glasses, particularly a “hero”, such as a sports icon.

If, after several days, they are still not wearing their glasses regularly, try to determine why. Are the glasses not comfortable or do they hurt their eyes? They could need a frame or even a prescription adjustment, so go back to your optometrist.

Give children a special place to keep their glasses when they're not wearing them.

Make putting glasses on in the morning and taking them off at night a part of their everyday routine.

Encourage children to take care of their glasses.

Care of children’s glasses

Proper care of children's new glasses will help them last longer.

If you have not been given a special cleaner for lenses, use a mild soap and warm water.

Never use paper towels, bath towels or other rough materials to dry lenses. A micro-fibre cloth is best, but a soft t-shirt is just as effective.

Don't store glasses in extreme temperatures.

When children are not wearing their glasses, keep them in a hard-cover case, to protect them from damage.

If necessary, use a strap around the child’s neck to prevent the glasses from falling, being damaged or getting lost.