Choosing eyeglasses for your toddler isn’t exactly as easy as choosing glasses for yourself. There are a lot of other things to consider when choosing glasses for your child: How do you know if they fit properly? What types of features should you consider? How quickly will your child outgrow them?

Luckily, at Payne Glasses, we know all there is to know about what makes toddler glasses unique. We’re here to help you choose exactly the right pair for your child, and we’ll make it easy (and affordable) with a great selection of eyeglasses for toddlers. Read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing the perfect toddler eyeglasses.

• Schedule an eye exam. First thing’s first: you’ll want to have your child’s eyes tested at the eye doctor and get a prescription. This is always the first step in choosing a pair of glasses at any age.
• Consider the lens thickness. Now that you have the right prescription, you’ll want to choose the proper thickness for the lenses. Typically, stronger prescriptions require thicker lenses, and vice-versa. If you find that your toddler requires a very thick lens, you may want to then choose a smaller frame size to reduce the weight and bulk of the glasses and extend the field of vision.
• Consider the lens material. While most adults opt for glass lenses, many doctors advise against glass for children as it is easy to break. Instead, you may want to get a pair of toddler glasses with polycarbonate lenses, which are much stronger, more scratch-resistant and have built-in UV protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
• Find the perfect frame shape. Next, have your toddler try on a few different pairs of glasses to find the right frame shape. While the look certainly matters, you’re also looking for comfort: ask your child frequent questions about the frames he or she tries on to find the ones that look and feel best.
• Find the perfect frame material. Toddler glasses frames come in metals, acetate and other materials. You may want to opt for a lightweight titanium frame for your child’s first pair, or a durable acetate frame that’s comfortable and resistant to bending or breaking.
• Have the bridge fitted to your child’s face. Many toddlers are unable to keep their glasses from sliding down their noses because of the small size of their nose bridge. Pay close attention to how the bridge fits when your child is trying on glasses, as you’ll want the glasses to fit close enough to their eyes, but not so close that they’re tight and uncomfortable.
• Choose the right temple style. Many toddlers benefit from glasses with temples that wrap around the ears to keep them from sliding down. If this is your toddler’s first pair of glasses, this may be the best choice. Typically, you’ll only find these types of wrapping temples on metal-framed glasses.
• Help them keep their new glasses safe. Now that you’ve chosen the perfect pair of glasses for your toddler, it’s time to keep them from breaking, getting lost, or getting scratched in your child’s backpack. Invest in a great glasses case to avoid any accidents, and be sure to teach your child about proper glasses care from an early age.