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Q: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses?? ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   3 Comments )
Question  
Subject: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses??
Category: Health > Children
Asked by: thejenn-ga
List Price: $12.00
Posted: 22 May 2005 18:49 PDT
Expires: 21 Jun 2005 18:49 PDT
Question ID: 524473
My son is not even two and he needs to wear glasses to correct
strabismus. He doesn't talk yet, so explaining to him the need to wear
glasses in not possible. Is there some recommended training processes
I can use? So far, as soon as I put the glasses on him, he pulls them
off. I try showing him flashcards so that he can look through the
glasses and see the improvement, but he never wears them for more than
15 minutes. Any recommendations? How long should I expect it to take
before he wears them regularly?
Answer  
Subject: Re: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses??
Answered By: cynthia-ga on 22 May 2005 22:08 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi thejenn,

It's not uncommon for children to initially show some resistance to
wearing glasses.

The consensus is to continue to be positive, get good fitting glasses
that set the lens in the middle of the eye, they must fit well,
distract the child, and try to replace them immediately. If it becomes
an issue, your child is young enough for this idea to work:

This is totally my idea, but I bet you it works, and quickly!

If I were you, I'd play a game with my toddler. Immediately when he
takes them off --and wants your attention, say to him...

"I can't SEE you!  Where ARE YOU?  Where's your GLASSES?  If you don't
wear your glasses (insert nickname) then I can't see you !!"  (pretend
you can't see him)  Make a game of it, and stumble on them if he isn't
holding them and pass them to him and say "Where ARE YOU?."

Have a piece of his favorite toy in your hand but out-of-reach, and
whatever you do, don't reward him with it until you can miraculously
SEE him after HE puts his glasses ON.

I read a warning not to bribe your child with food, but if I had a
fruit snack  in my hand, I don't see the harm --unless I am using food
as a bribe EVERY time.  In any event, that one is your call.

Here's the traditional advice:

How to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses
http://www.ehow.com/how_4585_child-wear-glasses.html
Excellent collections of ideas here.

Common Pediatric Eye Problems - Glasses for Children 
http://www.aapos.org/pubresources/glassesforkids.htm
Scroll down to: How will I ever get my child to wear glasses?
..."Initially, some children may show some resistance to wearing their
glasses, but it is necessary for parents to demonstrate a positive
attitude.  Toddlers often may wear the glasses only when they are in a
good mood and reject them (and everything else) when they are not. 
Getting a good frame fit by an optician who is experienced in
pediatric eyewear is also of great importance..."

GLASSES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN - Dr Justin Mora - Eye Surgeon, Auckland Eye
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/glasses4kids.html
SCROLL DOWN TO: How can I keep glasses on my child?
..."It is most important that parents are positive about the glasses.
They should not make a big fuss about them but they must encourage the
child to believe that the glasses suit him/her.

If your child is an infant or toddler, distract him/her after you have
put on the glasses.

If your child removes them, then replace them immediately. If the
child removes them again, then put them aside for a short time and
then try again. You must be patient but persistent in having the child
wear the glasses..."


I hope these ideas help you!  If I can be of further assistance in
regards to toddlers being resistant to wearing new glasses, please
don't hesitate to ask via the "request for clarification" feature.


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google
toddler glasses ~resistance

Request for Answer Clarification by thejenn-ga on 23 May 2005 07:02 PDT
Thanks for your help. I found these articles before I turned to
google. But I am looking for a more structured phase-in plan. Are
there any recommendations on how frequently I should try the glasses?
Three times a day? Every hour? When he is tired? When he is alert?
After meals? Before bed?

How long should it take for them to be phased in? A few days? weeks? months? 

I know it is important for children to have patterns, so what pattern
is best to encourage glasses?

You don't have to write any summaries, but any additional links would be helpful.

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 26 May 2005 17:33 PDT
Hi again,

I've been very busy, sorry for the delay.  I'd love to get you some
additional resources!  I have to work through Saturday, then I have
several days off.  Thanks for your patience..

~~Cynthia

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 03 Jun 2005 16:41 PDT
Hi again thejenn,

Besides the advice links, I was able to find a couple more ideas that
you may find useful.

There are 2 products on the market:

"Baby Banz" and "My Wraps"

Below is an ad for Baby Banz that states the dark (sunglasses) lens
can be replaced with prescription lenses:

Blue Baby Boy Hat & Baby Banz Combo
http://www.geniusbabies.com/blbahatbabac.html

Baby BanZ have a trendy wrap-around design with an adjustable neoprene
band. Unlike traditional glasses, Baby BanZ are comfortable, so they
stay put and look great!!!

Made from tough polycarbonate, these glasses will stand up to some
tough baby play! They also are of ophthalmic quality, so the lenses
can be replaced with prescription lenses.

Sizes:
Baby sunglasses 15"-17" (38cm-43.2cm) Baby hat up to 18.5" (48cm)

Lenses:
~ 100% UVA/UVB Protection
~ Ophthalmic quality; capable of being replaced with prescription lenses
~ 100% Polycarbonate

Frames:
~ Durable, 100% Polycarbonate

Straps:
~ Neoprene elastic band matches chosen color of sunglasses
~ Allows for flexibility, breath ability and comfort Side adjustable
Velcro allows for years of wear as the child grows.
~ They also float!


Herte's the page for the sunglasses alone:

Blue Baby Boy Banz
http://www.geniusbabies.com/blbaboybasu.html


Here's a picture of My Wraps at eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1261&item=8308139482&rd=1
The pictures show the front and back (note bottom pic).  They are
difficult to remove. They have flexible strap around the head, and a
soft cord stretches across the back to connect them. They seem to be
sunglasses, however, I'm sure they can be ordered with prescription
lenses.

Perhaps your pediatrician or child's opthamologist can recommend a similar product.

Here's the Baby Banz web site:
http://www.babybanz.com.au/

*******************************************************************************

You could also try "toupee tape" :

The page gives advice to parents of kids with cerebral palsy and hearing loss:
http://www.raisingdeafkids.org/special/cp/cp.pdf

Try these ideas to keep your child's hearing aids or glasses on:
? Put special tape made for sticking to skin over the hearing aid to
keep it on. Look for something called "toupee tape."
? Keep glasses on with a headband.

Here's a page with a the "TopStick" brand of toupee tape:

Topstick Tape And Vapon Hairpiece Accessories
http://www.adiscountbeauty.com/page137.html

Another:
http://123wigs.com/wigstore/accessories/view.asp?id=600024

The page that recommended the TopStick brand said to cut the tape in
thin strips and affix the glasses to the side of the face, before the
ear with the tape.

*******************************************************************************

Here's a summary of all the advice:

1) Be positive.

2) Good frame fit, frame should be very comfortable with the eye
centered in the middle of the lens. Many children?s frames have soft,
comfort-cables that fit around the ears.

3) Lenses made of a material called polycarbonate will provide the
best protection for your child because this lens material is
shatterproof.

4) Find some stories or picture books that show children wearing
glasses or that deal with the issue of getting glasses.

5)  If your child removes them, then replace them immediately. If the
child removes them again, then put them aside for a short time and
then try again. You must be patient but persistent in having the child
wear the glasses.
 
6) Clean the lenses regularly ' your child is more likely to keep them
on if she can actually see through them. Show her how to clean them
herself if she's old enough.

7)  If you don't wear glasses regularly, consider getting some empty
frames to wear around your child, just to show that you will willingly
wear glasses too.

8) Distract him/her after you have put on the glasses.

9) Resort to bribery if needed. Many kids like stickers.

*******************************************************************************

Additional links:

How do I keep glasses/patches on my baby?
http://www.growingstrong.org/rop/glasses.html
Several "letters to a doctor" here.

GLASSES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN 
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/glasses4kids.html

10 Tips for Buying Kids' Eyewear
http://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/kidseyewear.htm


I hope these new suggestions work!


~~Cynthia


Additional search terms used at Google:

toddler glasses ~resistance -impact "takes off"
glasses accessories baby
thejenn-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Thanks for the additional clarification. He's wearing them for several
hours a day now!

Comments  
Subject: Re: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses??
From: myoarin-ga on 23 May 2005 02:28 PDT
 
If you don't wear glasses yourself, you might get a pair with similar
frames to his (neutral lenses, of course) and be a role model for him:
 "Oh, we've got to put on our glasses now," in the morning, and so on.
Sure, you'll feel a little funny about being seen that way, but
everyone will understand.  Maybe you can event prompt a friend, whom
he also recognizes, to remark positively about his and your new
glasses.  And so on  8-)
Subject: Re: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses??
From: greendunkn-ga on 08 Sep 2005 16:18 PDT
 
My son has been diagnosed with alternating esotropia...basically my
understanding is that he only uses one eye at a time to focus but it
alternates from eye to eye. So now he has to wear glasses as well. He
HATES it. We have only been trying for 3 days now, but we have had
them on him a maximum of 10 minutes at any one time, with holding his
hands at his sides. As soon as we let go, he rips them off. How long
did it take you child to keep them on for a few hours at a time? My
son is 19 months.

Thanks, Kristin
Subject: Re: How can I get my toddler to wear glasses??
From: thejenn-ga on 09 Sep 2005 13:03 PDT
 
That is exactly how my son acted for the first few weeks. To get him
used to the glasses, we held his arms down while he sat in our laps as
we showed him flashcards. He found this entertaining and once he
realized he could see better, he was more patient with the glasses. I
think it felt funny on his nose at first, but then he got used to it.
He still doesn't wear them all day as he is supposed to, but he keeps
them on for a few hours at a time. This process took at least a month.
He had eye surgery which corrected a lot of the turning, but he still
has to wear glasses to resolve the rest. Every time I put the glasses
on him, I cheer or say "wow!" This seems to encourage him. Stay
positive! Let me know if you have any questions. You can email me at
jenniferdbuchanan@msn.com

Good luck.

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