Following are some frequently asked questions about vision tests for children and talking points to help children who have been prescribed glasses.

When should my child have his or her first vision test?

Here are general age guidelines to follow to ensure your child's vision health. Remember that other factors, such as your child's overall health and genetic predisposition to develop eye problems, can affect the eye exam schedule. Follow your eye care professional's advice. The Vision Council of America recommends that everyone has a regular eye exam.

Children under 5

It's difficult to perform in-depth vision tests on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The American Optometric Association recommends that infants have an eye exam during their first 12 months of life. You and your eye care professional will be the best judges of when a full eye exam is appropriate for your child. The Vision Council of America recommends that everyone have a regular eye exam.

School-age children and adolescents

Before your child enters first grade, he or she should undergo a complete vision check-up. Your pediatrician's routine eye exam does not replace the need for this comprehensive eye exam, performed by an eye care professional, which should be repeated according to the schedule your eye care professional recommends.

How can I prepare my child for a vision check-up?

Most people, particularly children, are more frightened of the unknown than when they know exactly what to expect. Demonstrating what will happen during a vision check-up will help to reduce any anxiety your small child might be experiencing. It also helps to learn about your child's specific fears and concerns so that you can address them ahead of time.

• Use a doll or stuffed animal to "act out" some of the procedure. Often this reveals worries that your child might not be able to articulate.
• Reassure your child that you will be there with him or her during the entire procedure.
• Make sure your child understands that the check-up is not a punishment but rather a way to guarantee the healthiest vision possible.
• Respect the wishes of an older child who might not want you to be present during the procedure. Privacy is important to adolescents and should be protected.

Your eye care professional has prescribed glasses for your child. Congratulations! If you think we're kidding about having a reason to celebrate, consider this:

Children who have undiagnosed vision problems can suffer from low self-esteem. They can become frustrated more easily, have trouble concentrating on reading, feel stupid, experience frequent headaches, or rub their eyes until they smart. Once their vision is corrected, children with eyeglasses hold their heads high and exude confidence---if their parents are positive and supportive.

How can I help my child feel better about the need to wear glasses?

Check your own attitude about glasses first. Don't assume your child won't want to wear them. Eyeglasses have come a long way since the "coke bottle" lenses of our parents' generation. With the advances in thin, lightweight plastic and photochromic lenses, and so many neat frames, your child could very well be enthusiastic about wearing glasses to emulate older kids or express an individual sense of style.

Photochromic lenses, which change from light to dark when ultraviolet light is present, are a good option to consider. They have an eye health advantage by automatically providing 100% protection from harmful UV rays and glare. And, they can actually boost a child's willingness to wear glasses. Kids find it's cool to wear glasses with "magic" lenses that darken in the sun.

Whether it's a new pair of eyeglasses or a growth spurt, kids can always find reasons to tease each other. Happily, teasing incidents are usually short-lived. Squelch the urge to rush to your child's rescue. Instead, provide tips for your child to handle the situation on his or her own. Maintaining a sense of humor helps.

How do we choose glasses that both my child and I love?

Make certain that your child feels a part of the frame selection process. Nothing is more important in terms of getting children to wear their glasses and take better care of them as well.

Without the constraints of adulthood, such as a conservative office environment, kids have a lot more freedom in the style, color, and shape of the glasses they can wear. Take advantage of it!

While kids might want a specific frame color or brand, parents should be concerned about the durability and safety of the lenses and the frame. Your eye care professional is your best source of information on what's available: durable spring hinges, flexible and strong new frame materials, impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses, and UV-blocking photochromic lenses that automatically change from light to dark when UV is present.

What about protecting children's eyes from the sun?

About 80 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Parents generally take precautions to protect their children's skin from the sun, but they seldom make any effort to protect children's eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and glare.

Even on an overcast day, UV light from the sun can cause sunburn of the skin and the cornea of the eyes, which is called "photokeratitis." Over a long time, it can increase the risk of cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) and damage to the retina that might lead to total blindness.

Sunscreen protects your children's skin from overexposure to UV rays. Proper lenses can safely block UV radiation and protect their eyes. Photochromic lenses, which change from light to dark when ultraviolet light is present, have an eye health advantage by providing 100% protection from harmful UV rays and glare. And they do it automatically, which eliminates the need for kids to keep track of two pairs of glasses — regular glasses and sunglasses.

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