Display Patient Information Leaflets

Date issued: April 2025 

For review: April 2027 

Ref: A-673/EC/Ophthalmology/Children’s Glasses

PIL: Children’s Glasses.pdf [pdf] 237KB

Why does my child need glasses?

• Glasses help to ensure the image entering the eye is sharp, which allows clearer vision. This helps to encourage normal visual development which occurs from birth to around 8 years of age. For our vision to develop to the full potential, there must be a clear image entering the eye. This image is then passed to the brain, where it is interpreted. 

• Glasses may also help with the treatment and control of a squint in the first instance. 

What type of prescription does my child have?

• Hypermetropia (long sight) is a condition in which the lens inside the eye needs to focus more than normal to see clearly. The   closer something is, the more focus is needed. 

•  Myopia (short sight) is a condition in which vision is clearer when something is close but becomes out of focus when looking at   things further away.

•  Astigmatism is a condition in which the front surface of the eye (the cornea) is more curved in one direction (like part of a rugby   ball). The image is distorted in one direction, and many appear elongated. 

Glasses can also be given to correct a combination of the above.

Where do I get the glasses from?

After your child has been examined by the Hospital Optometrist (Ophthalmic Optician), you will be given a spectacle prescription and voucher (if eligible) to take to our in-house hospital dispensing service (on the ground floor), or to a high street optician if more convenient. 

The voucher is accepted by any optician who does NHS work. A list of local NHS opticians can be found at the www.devon.nhs.uk website.

You can find out if your optician is registered with the General Optical Council by checking the registers on www.optical.org.

All children have the option to be dispensed within the hospital by the hospital Dispensing Optician.

How do I ensure the glasses frames are suitable and fit properly?

You should ask for your child to be measured and advised by the registered Dispensing Optician, who is regulated by law for dispensing children’s glasses. 

•   Rounded frame styles can be more suitable. 
•   Narrow frame styles can often allow the child to look over the top of the lenses.

Always ask for advice from a qualified Dispensing Optician, as they are trained to provide the most suitable lens to suit the prescription and frame fitting. You need to ensure that the glasses are the correct width, sit well on the nose, and grip well around the ears. 

We expect the need to visit your Dispensing Optician regularly to have the glasses adjusted to ensure the best possible fit. 

How often do the glasses need to be worn?

They need to be worn constantly, unless you have been told differently by the Hospital Clinician. Your child will get used to the glasses and accept them more quickly if they are worn all the time. It is very important that you try to keep to the instructions given by the hospital to allow your child’s vision to improve.

For how long will the glasses be needed?

This varies according to the underlying condition, and you will be advised at the child’s review appointments. 

Usually, the glasses are worn fulltime whilst the vision is developing. Some children can continue with them for certain tasks only, while others still need them constantly. 

Can my child have a spare pair of glasses?

The Department of Health does not fund spare pairs. It is, therefore, hospital policy to give a prescription or voucher for only one pair of glasses for each child. It is possible to purchase spare pairs privately. 

There are some exceptional circumstances where an additional pair can be authorised. 

Repairs and replacements for broken glasses are also funded under the Hospital Eye Service (HES). It is important to keep your HES2 prescription form to present to opticians, so they know the prescription is in date when providing repairs and replacements. Spare pairs that were purchased privately (or upgraded) may not be eligible for this service. 

Can wearing glasses weaken the eyes?

No. Glasses do not strengthen or weaken the eyes. However, they provide a clear image to the eye, so that vision can develop normally. 

What improvement will I see?

You may not see any improvement just by looking at your child’s eyes. When the vision with the glasses on is tested, it should show some improvement, provided the glasses are being worn correctly. 

How safe are the glasses?

All children’s glasses have plastic lenses. This means that the lenses are less likely to break but may be more prone to scratches. If scratches develop that are likely to affect vision, the lenses may be eligible for replacement under the HES scheme. 

The frames may bend or snap, and the opticians that supplied the glasses should be able to readjust or repair them under the NHS scheme when necessary. Sometimes there may be a charge depending on the type of frame or lens. 

Can my child have contact lenses? 

We do not prescribe contact lenses to children except in special clinical circumstances.

They can always be considered privately as an option, especially for sports and stronger prescriptions, with the agreement of the hospital eyecare team. This would be managed by a high street optician.