Children's Eyeglasses: Durability and Safety Issues

While kids may want eyeglass frames with a specific color or brand, parents generally want something that's going to last.

Helpful Tips

Buying the Right Kids' Eyewear
Have your child pick out several frames they like. Then have the optometrist determine which ones provide the best fit.
Spring hinges improve a frame's durability, reducing your overall costs.
Polycarbonate is a very safe lens material and a great choice for children's eyeglasses. (It's the same material that bulletproof glass is made

Look for kids' frames with features such as spring hinges (which let the frame's temples bend in both directions) and flexible frame materials (which can withstand accidents such as sitting on frames or over-bending the temples when taking glasses on and off). These durability features reduce your costs over time.
Thinner, lighter and stronger materials, like stainless steel and titanium, are becoming very popular in children's eyewear. Frames made from these durable materials are great for kids who are hard on their glasses.
Also, most eyewear manufacturers and optical shops offer extended warranties on children's eyeglasses so you can feel more at ease about your investment in your kids' eyewear.
Polycarbonate or Trivex lenses are the best choice for children's eyewear. These lightweight and very impact-resistant lenses offer the best combination of comfort and safety.
Polycarbonate lenses for kids also are available with extra-durable lens coatings to make the lenses more scratch-resistant. Similar lens coatings can be applied to Trivex lenses as well.