Talk to us about your child's eyes
“Where do I even start?”
We have so many parents ask this question of us over the years, and we wanted to make a series of blog posts to try and make this process just that little bit easier.
Most families are unaware that their little baby requires glasses, meaning they get a total shock when the paediatric ophthalmologist explains that this is a necessity.
There are many reasons young babies need glasses including certain types of squint (crossed eyes), nystagmus (wobbly eyes), ROP, cataracts (cloudy lens inside the eye) to name a few, but all require a well fitted, age-appropriate pair of glasses.
This blog will cover some tips and tricks to assist you in the initial few months, whilst your baby gets used to their glasses.
“How will I get them to stay on?”
Most small babies will keep their glasses on without issues as they do not have the strength or dexterity to remove them yet, its once they turn approximately 9-12 months that this starts to get a little trickier.
Here are some tips to help you out:
Distraction! – the busier you can keep their hands, the better!
Leave the glasses on whilst they are having daytime naps – sometimes the process of putting them on makes your child hyper aware that they are wearing glasses. If your child has a silicone-type frame you can let them wear the glasses whilst they nap. The ultimate aim is that they forget they are wearing them, and therefore get used to them that much quicker
Watch out at teething time! – Glasses lenses have been the victim of a teething baby many times in our careers. If you child is teething and chewing on everything, try and keep them distracted, or occupied with any chew toy and watch them closely so they dont use their lenses as something to munch on! The type of damage this causes generally requires at least a replacement lens, if not a replacement frame.
Use a glasses head strap/retainer – these straps are not designed to be a restraint but are a way to keep the glasses in an optimal position. This means a strap on its own won’t prevent glasses from being removed by an older baby (10-12mths) but it will slow them down enough to give you an opportunity to catch them removing them!
Watch out during walks – if your child starts to remove and throw their glasses, take them off if they are in the pushchair/pram during a walk. This is an issue in front facing pushchairs only.We have seen too many pairs disappear during walks by being dropped or thrown! If there is a rain or sun cover on the pushchair then you will not need to worry though.
We have met one parent who adapted a dummy clip so that it attached securely onto the glasses during walks, so that if the glasses were dropped or thrown, they wouldnt go far!
Consider using gloves or mittens to slow them down – if your child is relentlessly taking off their glasses, pop some mittens on them! That will make it much harder to remove the glasses and hopefully they will give up.
Our final recommendation is an odd one, but it works! If all else fails, put some baby floaties on your child’s arms. It is often enough to stop them being able to reach their glasses
Note: Neck floats have been reported to be dangerous for babies to use in the pool, but with supervision they are great for preventing glasses removal
How can Adelaide Orthoptics help me and my child?
Are you struggling to get your baby to wear glasses?
Do you need to talk to someone who is experienced in assisting families with chosing the right frames, or where to even start with the process of buying glasses?
We can help
Adelaide Orthoptics team are available to provide advice via telehealth appointments on Microsoft Teams or Zoom for those requiring additional assistance and tailored advice.
Please contact us at reception@adelaideorthoptics.com.au for more information and to make an appointment
