When your child needs glasses, it can feel confusing at first. There are different types of lenses to learn about, numbers on the prescription to decode, and making sure the glasses fit well. But don’t worry! By understanding a few basics and tapping into the expertise of the eyewear specialists at America’s Best, you can choose the best prescription lenses for your child that will help them see clearly and feel comfortable and confident. 

Reading Your Child’s Prescription 

After an eye exam, your child’s eye doctor will give you a prescription for lenses. It might look complicated, but it can be easy to understand once you break it down. Here’s what the main parts mean: 

• OD and OS: These tell which eye the doctor is talking about. OD stands for the right eye, and OS stands for the left eye. 
• Sphere (SPH): A negative number means your child is nearsighted, or they can’t see things far away. A positive number means they are farsighted or they have trouble seeing things close-up.  
• Cylinder (CYL) and Axis: These numbers will be on the prescription if your child has an astigmatism. Astigmatism means the eye has an unusual shape that causes blurry vision. 
• Add: This part is for children who need help seeing things both up close and far away. It adds a special lens to help with near vision. 

Recommended reading: How to Read Your Eyeglasses Prescription 

Did you know that kids with vision problems should get their eyes checked every year? Now’s the time to book an eye exam!  

Lens Types for Kids 

Once you understand the prescription, it’s time to choose the lenses. There are a few different types to pick from. While you weigh the lens options at America’s Best, consider your child’s needs and daily activities.  For example, you may want to choose a different type of lens if your child plays sports. The most common options for kids include: 

• Plastic Lenses: These are lightweight and usually less expensive than other lens types. They’re great for everyday use. They can scratch easily, but you can add a scratch-resistant coating to help protect them.  
• Polycarbonate Lenses: These lenses are super strong and don’t break or scratch easily, making them great for active kids. In fact, at America’s Best, we will automatically upgrade glasses to polycarbonate lenses for kids 13 and younger at no additional cost. They’re also lightweight and provide UV protection. This is important for protecting your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.  
• High-Index Lenses: If your child has a strong prescription (-5.00 or higher), high-index lenses are a good choice. They are thinner and lighter. And they are more comfortable to wear.  

Lens Coating for Extra Protection 

Lens coatings can make your child’s glasses last longer and may even help improve their vision. Here are a few common coatings to think about: 

• Scratch-Resistant Coating. It’s not hard for a child to scratch thier lenses. Adding a scratch-resistant coating to plastic and high-index lenses helps keep them clear. 
• Anti-Reflective Coating. This coating reduces glare from screens or bright lights, which can help your child see better and lessen eye strain. 
• UV Protection. Even if your child doesn’t spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s important to protect their eyes from UV rays. Polycarbonate lenses come with UV protection built in. 
• Blue Light Protection. Tablets, phones, and computers more often give off blue light that can hurt your child’s eyes long-term. You can try blue light blocking lenses which can help protect their eyes from the harmful effects of too much screen time. 

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Making Sure the Glasses Fit 

The right lenses are important, but a good fit matters just as much. Glasses that don’t fit properly can be uncomfortable, and your child may not want to wear them. The opticians at America’s Best are pros at getting the perfect fit, but here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Check the Nose Piece: The glasses should sit comfortably on your child’s nose without slipping down. If they leave marks or hurt, they might be too tight. 
• Temple Length: The temples are the arms of the glasses that go over the ears. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If they’re too tight, they can cause headaches. 
• Lens Alignment: Make sure the lenses sit right in front of your child’s eyes. If they’re too high or too low, your child won’t be able to see properly. 

Remember, let your child help choose the frames. When kids like how their glasses look, they’re more likely to wear them every day.  

With the right lenses and a comfortable fit, your child will have clear vision and be excited to wear their glasses all day long. 

Press play to learn about the surprising signs of vision changes in young kids: 

Medically reviewed by: John Bankowski, O.D.

See our sources: 
Reading prescriptions: American Academy of Ophthalmology 
UV protection: American Optometric Association  
Blue light: American Academy of Ophthalmology