Child Diagnosed with Astigmatism & near Sightedness

impoze on 30/08/2022 - 12:22
Last edited 30/08/2022 - 12:36

Our 4yo recently had the StEPS screening done at daycare and was advised to go to an optometrist for further testing.

Confirmed near-sightedness and also astigmatism so will need to wear glasses full time.
Glad it was picked up before starting school next year.

Any tips or advice on where to best buy glasses?
Specsavers didn't have much of a range and the kids can be quite particular with the characters. One pair fit well, but he didn't want to have buzz lightyear on it.

Clearly.com.au seems to be popular and can claim with health fund.

are lens upgrades worth it?
thin lenses?
coatings & impact resistance?

Thanks

Health & Beauty Glasses

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Comments

  • MS Paint on 30/08/2022 - 12:25
    +22

    Don't go online for a child's first pair of glasses.

    Best to try various optical stores until you find the perfect frames that the kid likes.

    You might just need to pony up here. Don't frig around and be a tightarse with your kids first pair of glasses.

    The kid needs to feel confident in wearing them.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 12:30
      +1

      thanks, will have to visit a few more stores to try and find one he likes.

      • MS Paint on 30/08/2022 - 12:34
        +3

        It's worth the effort. You may need to do it over several days. Trying too many frames on in a short period is overwhelming for some adults let alone kids.

        Take note of the frame model number and take a photo of the pair your kid likes in case you need to go back to a store. It will be easier to find them again.

    • denz on 30/08/2022 - 12:41
      +3

      100 percent.

      And if you can do it, get two pairs. They will lose them and break them. We usually go for for one nice pair and one durable pair.

      • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 13:48

        Anything in particular for durable pairs? Saw a few online are more active use

  • SnowDragon on 30/08/2022 - 12:29
    +3

    I've purchased several glasses and sunnies from Zenni Optical and been happy.

    Clearly.com.au looks pretty similar and if you can claim health fund then even better.

  • AustriaBargain on 30/08/2022 - 12:32
    +1

    When ordering from sites like Zenni you should order multiple pairs in different frame styles, in case one doesn't fit properly. It's also good to have spares. Once your kid is used to glasses they will struggle without them.

  • Ozymandias on 30/08/2022 - 12:44

    The standard anti-glare coating is worth it IMO, as is thinning if the prescription is high, e.g. -3 or more. It'll be more comfortable for your child to wear and it'll significantly reduce the 'coke bottle' effect. Keep in mind though that these are rarely if ever covered by private health.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 13:46

      The script was ±2 & +1.75, cyl of -1.5 & -2

  • YTW on 30/08/2022 - 13:06
    +1

    Lens upgrades are always worth it; anti-glare, thinning and scratch resistance especially.

    Help them clean them regularly and encourage the use of a case when they're not on (less likely to get scratched or bent). I used to keep a case in my swimming bag as that was one of the places I'd take them off.

    As a kid who had glasses, please bear in mind that when they get lost/damaged etc it was never their intention to do it and they are in a class full of kids who don't understand how to treat glasses. Soccer balls to the face, knocks when playing etc. It happens.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 13:47

      Thanks,

      I think we will end up with quite a few pairs, some cheaper ones as backups

  • c64 on 30/08/2022 - 16:48

    make sure you ask for a copy of the prescription

    • MS Paint on 30/08/2022 - 17:21
      +1

      And the PD which typically is not on the prescription.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 19:00

      I got the prescription but havent measured the PD yet, going to go back to measure it.

      I'm guessing the PD will also change as they grow

      • c64 on 30/08/2022 - 21:15

        if necessary you should be able to measure it with a ruler

  • chickentaste on 30/08/2022 - 17:58

    Agree, get those first glasses in person.

    Once they get older I wouldn't feel too bad about going online for them. I used to buy a new pair every 3 years, now I shop exclusively online for glasses and it's basically yearly as they're SOO much cheaper.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 18:58

      With or without health fund?

  • Shame on 30/08/2022 - 20:25
    +2

    First glasses should be fit in store as a bad pair can pinch nose or put pressure on top of ear. If you don't know what I'm talking about buy a pair of servo sunnies and try wearing for 24 hours. After that online is okay. Zenni is pretty good except their coatings wear off after a year or two but they are around 7x cheaper than OPSM so still worth it.

    Lightweight lens is worth it but for +2 prescription I wouldn't bother.

    Anti glare is worth it, UV coating is "why not?" and I'm not sure "scratch resistant" even works?

    Your child will drop them in 2 years and they will be destroyed, nothing you can do about it. I dropped my first pair in the backyard and the dog chewed them. Probably cost my parents $250 in 1993.

    • impoze on 30/08/2022 - 20:53

      Thanks, definitely going in store for first pair, just have to visit a few more stores.

      Will try zenni and clearly for some backup pairs

  • Chandler on 31/08/2022 - 09:39
    +1

    are lens upgrades worth it?

    Depends on what upgrades.

    If you've got a strong prescription, then lens thinning can be worth it.

    Impact/scratch resistance I wouldn't bother - how much more "resistant" are they going to be. And where are you putting them that they're going to get scratched/impacted: should either be on your face, in your chest pocket or in their case (IMO).

    Anti-glare/reflective coating definitely worth it. I've got a anti- blue light coating on mine and can see the difference but whether it's actually made a benefit who knows.

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