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| DISPENSING EYEWEAR TO KIDS |
| 1. Make the dispensing area fun for children. |
| 2. Always greet the child first. |
| 3. Bring the child into the decision making process. |
| 4. Consider the prescription when selecting glasses. |
| 5. Consider the child’s activities to determine the proper function of the frame. |
| 6. Explain to the child how to care for his/her eyewear. |
| 7. Making the frame selection. |
| 8. Inform the parent that routine scheduled visits for exams |
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| 1. Make the dispensing area fun for children. |
| Encourage them to be enthusiastic about wearing eyewear. The attraction to children should begin with window displays which children will see before walking into your office. Fill the window with bright primary-colored props, stuffed animals, dolls and toys. Inside your office, create a section devoted to children’s frames. Take advantage of the merchandising materials and displays offered by ClearVision Optical. In addition, create a collage of your own patients wearing their new eyewear. |
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| 2. Always greet the child first. |
| Eyecare professionals deal with two customers: the parent and the child. Sit children on high “bar” stools or kneel down to their level, if necessary. Make sure you are not looking down at them. |
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| 3. Bring the child into the decision making process. |
| By allowing the child to express his/her personal tastes, you are allowing his/her personality to shine through. Therefore, he/she is likely to wear his/her chosen frame rather than forget it, lose it, or break it. Along with your observations of the child (i.e. his/her taste in clothing), and his/her direction in eyewear choices, you will need to “control” the situation by directing the child to the frames that not only appeal to him/her, but that you know will allow for the proper fit. |
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| 4. Consider the prescription when selecting glasses. |
| After determining the prescription, take 15 minutes to talk with the parent about the specific frame and lens combination requirements. This will build the parent’s confidence in you. This will also enable you to work directly with the child to select a frame because the parent now understands you have the child’s best interest in mind. |
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| 5. Consider the child’s activities to determine the proper function of the frame. |
| A more active child will require a more sturdy frame, perhaps with spring hinges and cable temples. Spring hinges are stronger than standard hinges and hold the frame in better adjustment. Cable temples wrap around the ear to help keep the frame from slipping. |
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| 6. Explain to the child how to care for his/her eyewear. |
| The child must be able to select a pair he/she likes and will be proud to wear. Once he/she has chosen that special pair, explain to him/her that the frame is to be placed in its “special place” – the case – when not on his/her face. |
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| 7. Making the frame selection: |
Since the bridge supports over 75% of the frame’s weight, bridge fit its the most important factor in selecting the proper frame. There should not be any space between the nose and the frame bridge. The frame should be secure when it is moved from side to side. The weight should be evenly distributed over the nose.
The child’s eyes should be properly centered in the lens.
The frame should sit close to the face without touching the cheek or brow area. Frames digging into the cheek area are not only uncomfortable but will leave marks on the child’s face and will look awkward when the child smiles. Generally, the eyewear shape should follow the shape of the brow. For example, if the brow is highly arched and the frame is too straight, the child will look surprised. If the brow is straight and the frame arches, the child will look stern or unhappy. A frame that flares out at the lower temporal edge is perfect for the child with a full jaw, while a less full jawline will accept the oval or round frame.
The frame should be equal in width with the widest part of the face. Never, ever select a frame for the child to grow into. The face formula: the face is 1/3 forehead, 1/3 frame, and 1/3 bottom of the frame to the chin. |
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| 8. Inform the parent that routine scheduled visits for exams |
| and glasses are needed to maintain the integrity of the eyewear. As the child continues to grow, the vision continues to change. |
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