First pair of glasses for DS10 question

[surfgirl]

I'll second (or third?) the recommendation for a backup pair from Walmart.

My 10yo daughter needed glasses last year. Instead of wearing them all the time, she carries them and puts them on as needed. While that reduces the possibility of losing during recess, for example, it increases the ability to just leave them behind. We were going on a big trip last year (Paris/London) and I would have killed her if she lost them on the first day. We went to Walmart and for $39, we got a 'backup' pair. Honestly, it was worth my piece of mind! When you get the $39 ones, there are limited frames to choose from, but she found a cute frame. We just brought in her presciption and they filled it from there. We now leave them in my purse (or my car) so they are with us when we need them.

 

[MickeySP]

ITA on back-up pair, if they offer insurance I would go for it too.

I got glasses at 12 and cannot tell you the grief I put my parents through. Lost, sat on, left on bus etc...

Also if he can take them off and on, try getting a really distinct case. I retrieved a few pairs becuase my case was self decorated & unique.

 

[golfgal]

One thing our eye dr said is that if they really need the glasses they wear them all the time (not reading glasses obviously). DS15 has had glasses for almost 10 years, has never lost or broken any. DD15 has had glasses for about 8 years, never lost or broken them. I think it is because they wear them and keep them on except to sleep (well, now they have contacts so they aren't bringing glasses to school any more). Our eye dr has a deal where if the they lose, break or need a new prescription within a year they get a replacement for free. That is just part of the package they sell for kids glasses. The exam, glasses, frames, etc. are all packaged at one price ($159 I think-they are too old for that now so we haven't used it for a while).

 

[design_mom]

Our eye dr has a deal where if the they lose, break or need a new prescription within a year they get a replacement for free. That is just part of the package they sell for kids glasses.

Ours has the same. (I know it covers breakage/prescription change. I'm not sure about loss.)

DS has been wearing glasses since he was 14 months old and last summer was the first time we've ever had anything happen. DS never has a strong/complex prescription and wears bifocals, so he never qualifies for those "complete pair for $XX" deals, so we've never had a back-up pair.

We've never lost a pair of glasses because he wears them all the time. Last summer was the first time a pair broke (got hit in the face with a basketball). We had an old pair he could wear for a few days while his were being fixed (not the same prescription, but better than nothing), but other than that, we've gone 9 years without incident. As long as they are *wearing* the glasses, I think they're pretty safe.

If you can get a cheap pair of back-ups for $40 or something, I'd be tempted...but if they cost a lot, I think you'll do fine.

 

[ColinCodyMom]

Our eye dr has a deal where if the they lose, break or need a new prescription within a year they get a replacement for free.

They did mention that they would replace them for free for one year. She said, just bring back all of the pieces and no questions, it's covered. Even with a scratch. So that is a bonus for sure!!

 

[emma'smom]

We had a similar deal---but it's two replacements of lenses within two years and unlimited replacement of frames.

One thing about the "back-up" pair-- our place (the Optician associated with the Opthamologist's Office) offered 50% a second pair of glasses with all of the same warranties. We took that deal!

Now we've got:

2 pairs of glasses (each with two replacements in two years) =6 chances!

They did mention that they would replace them for free for one year. She said, just bring back all of the pieces and no questions, it's covered. Even with a scratch. So that is a bonus for sure!!

 

[Tiger926]

You are all so lucky that the US offers such great choices for glasses. We just returned from doc's office, and after only 7 months, my DD needs a new prescription, so that's $150.00 for lenses. Glasses were purchased at Costco, so the whole pair of Easy Twist Transitions with frames was $189.00 due to a coupon. Replacement lenses cost a bit more as we are getting them from our doc this time, as he has a lab onsite, and fixes stuff for us right away. So, that is $340.00 for one pair of glasses. Ouch!

This is on top of the my 3 year old's repairs and alternate glasses this year. We get $350.00/2 years per person, but it doesn't go far around here with good quality glasses being so expensive. Plus, hubby just had to pay for a new pair of frames, as his frame was defective, so Costco put in new lenses, but we have to pay for frames as they are 13 months old.

Good luck to OP's son, Tiger

 

[gillep]

I have had glasses since I was 2 and I always wondered how they got my prescription so accurate when I was so young. About three years ago I was working part time in an optometrist's office while getting my master's degree and it all made a lot more sense. Before you sit down for the actual exam the Dr. or technician should have you sit for a few tests, one of which takes measurements of the shape of the cornea. These measurements allow the eye Dr. to get very close to the correct prescription and then they sit you down and look at a couple 'points' around that prescription value to determine if the prescription can be more fine tuned. Also if the prescription is incorrect i.e. the customer cannot see well with the glasses all eye care centers that I know of, and I have been to many over the last 23 years, will replace the lenses at no cost to you with a corrected prescription (this happens most frequently with long time contact lens wearers who don't take their contacts out a min of 12h before an appt as their corneas may not be fully back to their natural curvature). I actually worked for both a private physician and a large chain store during this time and I think that the customer service at the chain store was better and unless your private Dr. has a practice with lots of kids the chain stores usually see more kids and are better with them so I wouldn't worry about this in the future.

 

[jenrose66]

I got my first pair at 9....I think the prescription was fine. I think your gut response is probably your best which is why they ask the questions so fast.

 

[mickeyboat]

DD11 has been in glasses since she was 5 and has done really well with them. I had always taken her to an optometrist, until two summers ago when the optometrist spotted some scary things during her exam. I was referred to a pediatric opthalmologist. He didn't see anything scary in her eye (thank goodness), but he did re-examine her and found that her prescription was all wrong. He said he couldn't do a thorough exam unless he dialated her pupils. Then he said we didn't have to come back for 3 years.

Good luck to your DS!

 

[ColinCodyMom]

So, that is $340.00 for one pair of glasses. Ouch!

Yep, I paid 383 for this pair of glasses. Ouch is right!!

I have had glasses since I was 2 and I always wondered how they got my prescription so accurate when I was so young. About three years ago I was working part time in an optometrist's office while getting my master's degree and it all made a lot more sense. Before you sit down for the actual exam the Dr. or technician should have you sit for a few tests, one of which takes measurements of the shape of the cornea. These measurements allow the eye Dr. to get very close to the correct prescription and then they sit you down and look at a couple 'points' around that prescription value to determine if the prescription can be more fine tuned. Also if the prescription is incorrect i.e. the customer cannot see well with the glasses all eye care centers that I know of, and I have been to many over the last 23 years, will replace the lenses at no cost to you with a corrected prescription (this happens most frequently with long time contact lens wearers who don't take their contacts out a min of 12h before an appt as their corneas may not be fully back to their natural curvature). I actually worked for both a private physician and a large chain store during this time and I think that the customer service at the chain store was better and unless your private Dr. has a practice with lots of kids the chain stores usually see more kids and are better with them so I wouldn't worry about this in the future.

Thank you! That is great information to have! I appreciate the info!

DD11 has been in glasses since she was 5 and has done really well with them. I had always taken her to an optometrist, until two summers ago when the optometrist spotted some scary things during her exam. I was referred to a pediatric opthalmologist. He didn't see anything scary in her eye (thank goodness), but he did re-examine her and found that her prescription was all wrong. He said he couldn't do a thorough exam unless he dialated her pupils. Then he said we didn't have to come back for 3 years.

Good luck to your DS!

He did have his pupils dilated so it was a thorough exam. His glasses should be coming in the next couple of days so we shall see!

Thanks again everyone!