This information is for anyone whose child has a hospital prescription for glasses.

Importance of well-fitting glasses

Glasses are usually a key part of a child’s eye condition treatment, especially if they have weaker vision or a squint.

Your child is more likely to wear their glasses if the frame fits well and is comfortable. 

The frame must be secure on your child’s face, centred over their pupils and not slip down their nose. (The pupil is the small dark circle in the middle of the eye.)

If the glasses are poorly fitted and slide down, your child is likely to look over the top of the lenses and their treatment will not be effective.

Many of the children we see have highly complex eye prescriptions.  If their glasses do not fit properly, the effective power of their glasses lenses can be different to their prescription. This can reduce the benefit of wearing glasses.

Suppliers of children’s glasses

UK regulations state that, for children under the age of 16, either a dispensing optician or an optometrist is legally responsible to make sure the glasses are made up correctly and fit well.

Dispensing opticians and optometrists are highly skilled professionals who must be registered with The General Optical Council. 

  • A dispensing optician advises, fits and supplies the most appropriate frames and lenses for your child.
  • An optometrist carries out eye tests. 

Important information

We strongly advise you to choose a dispensing optician to fit and supply your child’s glasses if they have a hospital prescription.

It is a good idea to contact an optician’s practice in advance, to find out if they have a dispensing optician available for appointments.

Make sure the dispensing optician will perform every step needed to supply and fit your child's glasses (rather than delegate to an optical assistant).

After your hospital appointment

We may give your child dilating drops during their hospital appointment. Dilating drops make your child’s pupils bigger. 

If we have given your child dilating drops, wait until they have worn off before you see a dispensing optician about your child's frames. 

Dilating drops usually wear off during the same day, but the effects can last overnight and into the following day.

When the drops have worn off, your child's pupils will be back to normal size. This means the dispensing optician will be able to suggest a frame that correctly centres the lenses over your child's pupils.

Choosing the right frame

The following information will help you to choose the right glasses for your child, after your appointment at the hospital.

Children's frames vs adult frames

The proportions of a child's face are different to those of an adult. Young children usually have a flatter, lower and broader bridge to their nose. This means the design of children’s glasses needs to be different to adult glasses. 

There are various types of bridge and side designs available in children's frames. A dispensing optician will take into account your child’s facial features and make accurate measurements to determine the best option. Plastic frames tend to be more robust and safer for younger children.

Your appointment with the dispensing optician

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) recommends that the dispensing optician does the following:

  • Begins by assessing your child's face and/or taking some facial measurements.   
  • Shows you a range of frames which will be suitable for your child, so they can choose from this selection only. (This approach can save a lot of time and disappointment.) 
  • Carries out a series of precise checks to make sure the chosen frame fits your child's face.  
  • Makes any necessary adjustments to the fitting – either at the time or when you collect the finished glasses.

NHS vouchers

Every child is entitled to 1 voucher for glasses each year. The voucher must be used within 6 months of issue.  (The eye prescription is valid for 12 months unless otherwise stated.)

Vouchers from the hospital eye service (HES3) are given as paper copies and can be taken to any local optician's practice.

Glasses that do not fit well

  • If your child’s glasses do not fit well, you do not need another voucher to get them adjusted. 
  • It is the responsibility of your dispensing optician (or optometrist) to supply appropriate frames that fit your child correctly. 
  • If your child’s glasses do not fit well, it is best to raise concerns directly with the dispensing optician or optometrist who supplied them. 

Care and maintenance of glasses

Frame adjustments (wear and tear)

It is normal for the fit of the glasses to loosen with daily wear and they may need occasional adjustment. 

If you need frame adjustments or repairs, do not try to fix them yourself.

Go back to your dispensing optician. Adjustments may include glasses sliding down, lost nose pads, lenses falling out and ​​​​bent or broken sides.

Broken or lost glasses

  • Broken or lost frames are covered under a repair/replacement voucher called a GOS 4. 
  • The optician who supplied the original frames will be able to advise whether your child qualifies for a GOS 4. They will also give you the GSO 4 if your child qualifies.
  • You do not need a new prescription for a GOS 4, unless the original is out of date.
  • If you buy spare glasses privately, they will not be covered by the voucher system. You will have to pay for repairs out of your own pocket.

Looking after glasses

The dispensing optician will show your child how to take care of their glasses. This includes using two hands for putting them on and taking them off, and remembering not to place the lenses face down on a surface.

They will show your child how to clean the frames by using a lens cleaner to rinse the lenses, and a lens cleaning cloth to polish them.

Contact information

Kingston Hospital Royal Eye Unit

Telephone:

020 8934 6404