Common Questions About Lenses

  • Do children really need sunglasses? 1

    Yes. Young children are very vulnerable to the sun’s UV radiation. The skin around their eyes is very delicate and should be protected. Because UV light from sun exposure can cause problems later in life, children who spend a significant amount of time outdoors should wear sunglasses. Studies show that prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause cataracts and other eye diseases. Sunglasses need not be expensive, but it’s important to ensure that they offer 100% UV protection.

  • 2

    Thousands of eye injuries could be prevented each year if more children wore protective eyewear. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are approximately 40,000 sports-related injuries each year that are severe enough to require emergency services. That's one sports-related eye injury every 13 minutes. Eye injuries happen all too frequently when kids are enjoying sports or while in the home. Children are especially vulnerable to eye injuries because they often don’t consider that their eyes, and possibly a lifetime of healthy vision, can be at stake. It is extremely important that children with limited vision in one eye use protective eyewear.

  • 3

    It is not uncommon for children to break or lose their eyeglasses. A spare pair will ensure that your child can continue wearing glasses while their other pair is being repaired or replaced.

  • 4

    Not necessarily, although certain eye conditions can be hereditary. If there is a significant family history of an eye condition, early examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist is recommended.

  • 5

    Many children like to sit close to the TV so that the picture is as big as possible. While this may be a sign of nearsightedness, it is not necessarily an indication of eye problems.

  • 6

    In the pediatric population, in particular, it can be very tricky since a badly made eyeglass prescription can interfere with actual treatments to improve visual development in a child, including lazy eye (amblyopia), strabismus (misaligned eye). This raises concerns that purchasing eyewear online may not be the best option. The main issue is the abundance of websites that sell glasses without expertise from a pediatric licensed optician. The result is eyewear that doesn't match what has been prescribed. At Optiwow, we have over 25 years of experience fitting and making children's glasses and all orders are all inspected by a professional pediatric optician. This is why we can guarantee your prescription will be filled correctly.

  • 7

    Prices can vary dramatically based on quality, brand, and current styles. Beware of buying cheap glasses or generic brands online. Children are active and rougher with eyeglasses than adults, so quality is critical. Some sites sell eyewear that has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Optiwow only sells high-quality eyewear from well-known brands in styles that are still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

  • 8

    Most eyewear shops carry a limited assortment of children’s eyeglasses. Many online stores do not carry the best brands or the best brands in a wide range of sizes. Fitting your child with the correct size and shape is extremely important. We have many years of experience fitting infants and toddlers, and we have the largest selection of eyewear products for kids.

  • 9

    This is a common problem. If you wear glasses, many kids like a mini-me look, so email us a photo of your frames and we'll find something similar for your child. Of course, infants and toddlers should not wear miniaturized adult frames; they have much smaller faces and undeveloped nose bridges. But we offer the largest selection on the planet, so you and your child are sure to find an awesome pair.

  • 10

    Kids can be rough on their glasses, and over time the frames may lose their shape. Have the glasses adjusted properly and frequently. If they continue to slide, the glasses may no longer fit. Email a photo to us so we can diagnose the problem and point you in the right direction.

  • 11

    We provide a special case, eyeglass cleaning solution and cloth with every Optiwow order to help protect your child’s eyewear. These simple rules will keep glasses like new: Always keep glasses in their case when not wearing them. Remove glasses with both hands to avoid bending them out of shape. To avoid scratching the lenses, don’t put glasses face down on any surface. Always clean glasses with eyeglass cleaning solution and a special cloth to avoid scratching or damaging the lens treatment.

  • 12

    We do not accept third-party payments. However, we provide a detailed receipt so that you can submit a claim to your insurance.

  • 13

    Yes, we do! You can read more about it on Easy Payments.