Has anybody's teenager had to get glasses? Is it harder if they are getting them as teenagers vs younger kids?

[Illuminati_721]

My 14 year old was just told he needs glasses and due to an allergy, contacts are out of the question. He is not the biggest fan of the idea of wearing glasses. Most people I know started wearing glasses when they were much younger and basically grew up with them, so I was wondering if it's challenging if a teen starts wearing them late.

Any experience?

 

[BrianL]

I got mine the summer before 7th grade, so I was like 12. It wasn't a hard adjustment at all for me - as soon as I put them on and could see - I was amazed. I never knew that everybody didn't see the way I did, you know? I didn't get much flak from the kids at achool - well, not because of the glasses anyway. At the time, I had some really strong lenses with bifocals too, so they could have been targeted, but really most kids were just kind of curious about how that worked. They were kind of heavy though - though these days I get the high-index stuff that is lighter.

 

[sam_gordon]

My 14 year old was just told he needs glasses and due to an allergy, contacts are out of the question. He is not the biggest fan of the idea of wearing glasses. Most people I know started wearing glasses when they were much younger and basically grew up with them, so I was wondering if it's challenging if a teen starts wearing them late.

Any experience?

Find out why he doesn't want to wear them. Is he afraid kids will make fun of them? Worried about losing/breaking them? Think they're going to be a hassle?

I know I was a teen when I got contacts and was SO happy. Why? I could then wear sunglasses. That was my primary reason for wanting to be out of glasses.

 

[BrianL]

Find out why he doesn't want to wear them. Is he afraid kids will make fun of them? Worried about losing/breaking them? Think they're going to be a hassle?

I know I was a teen when I got contacts and was SO happy. Why? I could then wear sunglasses. That was my primary reason for wanting to be out of glasses.

I talked my mom into getting me prescription sunglasses in high school. I loved that! Got me some cool, very dark, aviators. I still do the switching between my regular glasses and RX shades.

 

[sam_gordon]

I talked my mom into getting me prescription sunglasses in high school. I loved that! Got me some cool, very dark, aviators. I still do the switching between my regular glasses and RX shades.

I had the proverbial "coke bottle" lenses. I'm not sure there was an option for prescription sunglasses (or a monetarily valid option).

 

[starlite_]

Find out why he doesn't want to wear them. Is he afraid kids will make fun of them? Worried about losing/breaking them? Think they're going to be a hassle?

I know I was a teen when I got contacts and was SO happy. Why? I could then wear sunglasses. That was my primary reason for wanting to be out of glasses.

This is very true, my reason for not wanting them was that none of them looked good on me.

 

[jo-jo]

I got mine the summer before 7th grade, so I was like 12. It wasn't a hard adjustment at all for me - as soon as I put them on and could see - I was amazed. I never knew that everybody didn't see the way I did, you know? I didn't get much flak from the kids at achool - well, not because of the glasses anyway. At the time, I had some really strong lenses with bifocals too, so they could have been targeted, but really most kids were just kind of curious about how that worked. They were kind of heavy though - though these days I get the high-index stuff that is lighter.

I was about that age. Had no idea how much I was missing. I hated them not so much during “normal “ school day but sports. Gym teacher made you wear goggles I swear they got from the science lab. Hot, sweating, couldn’t see, glasses jumping all over the place.

Today a lot more choices for playing sports.

My DD had a classmate wear glasses with no correction, just because he felt he looked better in glasses.

 

[Moliphino]

I got glasses when I was in high school and I was just relieved to be able to see the board. I didn't need to wear them all the time at that point, but I wore them a lot just because I liked being able to see perfectly.

I got contacts late in college and I do prefer them, mostly because of better peripheral vision and my glasses get dirty so easily (I have bangs and dogs).

 

[Illuminati_721]

Find out why he doesn't want to wear them. Is he afraid kids will make fun of them? Worried about losing/breaking them? Think they're going to be a hassle?

I know I was a teen when I got contacts and was SO happy. Why? I could then wear sunglasses. That was my primary reason for wanting to be out of glasses.

The two things he says are... 1) He thinks it will be uncomfortable having something on his face all the time. 2) he says it's weird to suddenly add glasses to his look now.

I told him on both points he will just kind of get use to it.

 

[ronandannette]

A couple of things could happen; one of which is that the improvement to his sight will be so great, he will welcome wearing the glasses. Secondly, glasses are a very fashionable accessory now and I'll bet he actually gets some compliments on them right away, which may also help.

 

[unrequited23]

Two of my nephews recently got glasses a little older than average, 15 & 13. The younger one has been "forgetting" them. The older one has had an easier adjustment. He can see a lot better and his parents have emphasized how important glasses are to learning to drive.

 

[BrianL]

I had the proverbial "coke bottle" lenses. I'm not sure there was an option for prescription sunglasses (or a monetarily valid option).

My first pair of shades were pretty thick! It might have helped that they wever very large lenses. Someone called them "Elvis Glasses" - I live in Memphis so that's not a bad thing!

 

[Sacahara]

I got them about a quarter way into my freshman year of HS so pinnacle time to get them lol. It is very weird to suddenly have them and to see the edges of them all the time and have to remember them...but I remember the first time I put them on and could SEE...I never realized how much I was missing out on, but I'm extremely near sighted with an astigmatism so HMMV. It's funny now how often I forgot that I needed them and I still, when they're off and I'm struggling to see, reach up to try and push nothing on my nose lol.

I get it though, it's different and weird and it takes a lot of getting used to and adjusting; glasses fall off or get jarred and if a curl of hair gets between them and your ear? Maddening! I don't remember how long it took me to get used to them but it's easier now a days, he has so many choices! Mine were ugly black squares that stood out so much and I hated them but now you can get ones that hardly look like your even wearing glasses or you can embrace your glasses and get ones that stand out! I now get bold colored ones with large frames and interesting styles!

 

[sam_gordon]

The two things he says are... 1) He thinks it will be uncomfortable having something on his face all the time. 2) he says it's weird to suddenly add glasses to his look now.

I told him on both points he will just kind of get use to it.

Change is a part of life.

 

[lanejudy]

I got glasses in 7th grade. Like a PP, I was surprised at what I could see that I didn't realize I'd been missing. I also have separate Rx sunglasses, though I did try the transition lenses that get darker outside but prefer separate pairs. I shifted to contacts in 12th grade but that only lasted a few years before I went back to glasses.

Let him pick out his frames -- even if it's not a look you'd choose. There are soooo many choices today! He'll find something he likes.

 

[fly girl]

The two things he says are... 1) He thinks it will be uncomfortable having something on his face all the time. 2) he says it's weird to suddenly add glasses to his look now.

I told him on both points he will just kind of get use to it.

I didn't tell my parents my vision was getting bad because I was fearful of glasses. Finally, at 12 years old in the 8th grade when I couldn't possibly squint any harder, I told them. (yeah, I was a bonehead)

I was fortunate enough to get contacts. However, I lost one in the 9th grade. And for some unbeknownst reason to me, back in the 80's getting gas permeable lenses took a while to get. So, I had to wear glasses for while. The horror! Well, it wasn't horrible. Nobody teased me, and I got quite a lot of compliments on how the frames looked.

I can see his why he is not thrilled, I was right there with him. As for his concerns:

1. Like you said, he will get used to it. After getting used to the depth perception, he will likely feel the glasses pressure the most on his nose and behind the ears. A few days and it will be nothing. But prepare of a few days of complaints.

2. I get that one. A new look when you don't want a new look is not easy. My only suggestion is to shop around. Go to places that have a wide selection. Have him try on lots of styles so he can see which one he likes best. If you go to just your optometrists office it may be very limited. My daughter loves her glasses she found at Lens Crafters, we went there after zero luck at optometrist's office.

I hope he finds a pair he falls in love with, and am sorry he is not allowed contacts.

 

[Moliphino]

I got glasses with clip on sunglasses, so I didn't need to pay for two separate pairs of prescription glasses.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I first got glasses for distance in either 9th or 10th grade. I was super shy as a kid and what helped make a difference to me in regards to glasses, was the spur of the moment kindness of a popular boy that many girls, myself included, putting them on in our Biology class one day so he could see better. I have worn them ever since for driving or seeing at a distance. Not a fan either of always having something on my face. As others have said, these days there are indeed so many options including pairs that truly are lightweight. I have prescription too as someone else shared. OP that your son finds glasses that work well fir him.

 

[tvguy]

I got glasses when I was about 11. I don't recall having any concern about getting glasses, and once I got them I was told them to wear them when I had to read things off the blackboard in school, but I never took them off because I could see so much better.
I did get contacts in College, wore them for a little over 10 years. What a hassle. My eye doctor did mention contacts again when I was in, last thing I want to do is deal with contacts all over again at age 65!

 

[NotUrsula]

Teens tend to prefer Transitions lenses. Get him some that go very dark in sunlight, and he'll look like he's wearing sunglasses much of time in daylight.

Do be sure to buy 2 pairs, and insure them. Teens who resist wearing glasses often "accidentally" lose them early on.

If there is absolutely no contacts option that will work, consider letting him get lasik when he's old enough.