How to Get the Best
Glasses for Back to School

When you’re back to school shopping, it can be easy to lose track of what all you need to get your child to prepare them for the year ahead. We’re here to remind you that one of those things is clear vision!

How good a child’s eyesight is directly affects their ability to learn, their social development, and their self-esteem. That’s why it’s so important to help your kids see their classroom, their friends, and the world clearly with the right eyewear.

Buying Glasses for Kids Isn’t Always Black and White

What to Consider When Buying Kids’ Glasses

Eyewear is an investment for any member of the family, and when it comes to buying glasses for your children, you want to make sure that you’re choosing frames and lenses that will survive all the classes, sports, dances, and other activities that the school year brings.

Frame Build and Hinges

Not all glasses are built the same. One of the most important things to consider when looking at new eyewear for your child is the hinge material. The hinges connect the temples (the arms of the glasses that wrap around the ears) to the main frame. These tiny hinges usually come in one of two types: standard and spring.

Standard hinges create a rigid, 90-degree angle between the temples and frame. If the temples are bent too far in the wrong direction, standard hinges can easily snap. On the other hand, spring hinges are more flexible, making eyewear more durable and better able to withstand the wear and tear kids put on their glasses.

But when it comes to younger kids, it may be best to get away from hinges altogether and get glasses that are all one piece! These wraparound frames are often better for very young children because they keep glasses snugly in place.

Lens Material

It’s a common misconception that all glasses have glass lenses — it is in the name, after all! While glass lenses have many benefits, polycarbonate lenses are a great choice for children. These lenses are lightweight and don’t break as easily as glass lenses, making them an ideal choice for kids who are especially active or don’t know how to be careful with their glasses yet.

Bridge Style

You should pay special attention to the bridge styles on any glasses you look at. The bridge is the middle part of the eyewear that rests on the nose, helping keep lenses in place. Some bridges have adjustable nosepieces, while others rest directly on the nose.

While adjustable nosepieces can help keep eyewear properly aligned on small noses, every nose (and every kid) will have a bridge style preference. Be sure to have your child try on glasses with both types of bridges and ask which they prefer!

Your Kids’ Style

Parents usually know what’s best for their kids, but when it comes to shopping for back to school eyewear, it’s important that the child feels like they’re part of the process. Even if they gravitate towards styles or colors you may not agree with, in the end, they’re the ones who’ll be using the glasses all day — and they should love wearing them!

In our experience, children are happier and more willing to wear their glasses when they had a role in picking them out. With our large optical collections, there are no shortage of children’s frames to choose from, making it much more likely that you and your child can find frames you both like!

The Best Back to School Styles

We’re here to help your child feel great about their vision and how they look, and to make you confident in your eyewear purchase. Our opticians at Standard Optical are experts in all things eyewear, and they’re ready to help your family find the best eyewear for your unique lifestyle and vision needs. Schedule an appointment at the Standard Optical location nearest you to shop for your child’s next pair of glasses!