Children’s Glasses: 3 Trendy Styles for Back To School

When selecting frames and eyewear for children, a couple of important features come to mind - sturdy and strong, for when they’re running around the playground or on the sports field with their friends. But ever since Harry Potter made eyewear cool for kids, fashion has played a big part in choosing the perfect pair of spectacles for children. The more a child loves their glasses, the more they are likely to want to wear them, so it is wise to get children involved in the purchasing decision process as much as possible. More often than not, kids tend to pick styles they are familiar with seeing on their parents or friends. So we have to keep in mind that parents will put the same amount of effort, if not more when picking out the perfect pair of glasses for their kids.

Kids eyewear is a growing market and there has been a big focus on fashionable frames for children. Here are some fashion trends for kids, so your buying and frame boards are optimized for back to school.  

Thin metals:

Light metal frames are being seen on the faces of fashionable adults across the world. The flexibility, lightness, and durability of these designs are ideal traits for kids' glasses. Look for frames that are made from titanium or stainless steel, metals that are super strong and flexible. These materials have the added bonus of being hypoallergenic, so they are less likely to irritate a child's skin. This almost indestructible spectacle material is the perfect choice for active, sporty children; if they have any pressure applied to them, they are so flexible and strong they will bounce back into shape. Titanium and stainless steel frames are so thin and lightweight they will not distract from the child’s face. These metals are available in any color you can imagine, which gives you the opportunity to add a little pizazz to the child’s frame choice and match their favorite color. Aviator and round shapes are a great option for a more fun and refreshing style.

Chunky acetates:
A big trend we are seeing this year on both adults and kids is bright, colorful eyewear. The best way to have some fun with frames and add some color to a wardrobe is with a pair of acetate frames. The material itself is made from wood pulp and cotton and has strength in its rigidity. Look for frames with sturdy hinges as these are the part of the eyewear that gets the most stress and tension. Acetate comes in a range of colors and thicknesses giving your young patients the option of eyewear that is more bold and brave or more refined and subtle.

Aviators:
One of the coolest styles this season for adults and kids is the aviator frame. It’s a shape we are all familiar with, but it is coming back with force in 2021. The double bridge feature gives the frame extra durability over the center part of the frame. It’s a style that has a little extra attitude when worn with clear lenses. This shape is available in a metal material which gives a softer look or in an acetate material for an extra edge. A beautiful, unisex design that suits all face shapes.

By now, we’ve already been super busy ramping up eye appointments for back to school. Our patient outreach efforts should stress the importance of a comprehensive eye exam--whether the child is able to read or not. It is important to let parents know that if their child is complaining of headaches, eye strain, or seems to have problems with hand-eye coordination – for example, they may struggle in school or sports.

The new school term is upon us! Yes, can you believe it? A friendly email or SMS pamphlet on the importance of regular eye tests is a great way to invite your patients and their children back to the practice for a follow-up eye exam. You can also add any links to articles, research, or even your blog about blue light filtering lenses and computer glasses to get ahead of digital eye strain issues.

Encourage parents to schedule an exam for themselves.  Children tend to be more relaxed and open to an eye exam if they see their guardian undergo one first.

Extra tips:
Ensure a good bridge fit. Younger kids usually have a slightly underdeveloped bridge compared to adults, so make sure the frame fits the child’s bridge when considering which pair to purchase. Adjustable nose pads may be a good solution for this. If the bridge fits well this will diminish the chances of the frame slipping down the child’s face. Make sure the arms of the glasses aren’t too long for the child. Offer to adjust the frame behind the ears to ensure every kiddo’s new frames fit correctly before they walk out the door. 

Have fun! Remember that if our young patients are feeling self-conscious in a pair of glasses it is likely they will remove them when parents aren’t around. If they look good and feel good then they are going to WANT to wear them.