[angelkisses0102]

So we got good news and bad news today for DS at the ophthalmalogist. Good news...DS does NOT have the eye disease associated with his juvenile rhuematoid arthritis. YAY!!! WOO HOOO! I am beyond thrilled about that.

But as is poor DS's luck...he needs glasses...in all likelihood due to his nystagmus. His right eye is 20/150 with astigmatism...left eye is 20/60. We are trying glasses for three months and then we may have to patch. My poor kid is almost legally blind in one eye and we didn't know it...I am amazed he does as well as he does at school!!!

So where do we go for glasses for a 5 year old boy? The ophthalmalogist is not in our immediate area so he had no suggestions. I was thinking about checking out our super WalMart??? Any ideas, hints, suggestions?

Thanks as always for you help!!

[BrandyHagz]

Some place cheap - I swear, I have paid more for stinkin glasses than I will his education...arg.

I had good luck with America's Best - it was less than $100 for 2 pair of glasses (all kid proofed) and the exam.

Not sure if you have one there or not...but worth a try.

I think you can find them @ twopair.com

[momraine]

Somehow we are four for four on the kids needing glasses (dd needs them just for reading, all three boys wear them all the time) We looked into insurance through dh's work and that has helped some, but it limits where we can go. I think when we didn't have it we found the best deals at eyemasters. Definataly check on the warrenties as two of my boys are bad about breaking glasses!

[devildogwife]

One of my younger brothers used to wear glasses. He got them at Shopko. The most important thing was that my mom had a warranty on them for a year, which was really good. He somehow broke them constantly and they were always replaced free of charge. If I were you, I'd make sure his glasses come with one.

[Pinkie]

Antonina lost a pair of $240 glasses last week. She is now using her spare pair which she doesn't like but she has to wear them until I can buy some replacements and this time they will be more affordable.

By the way Angel, DS will look gorgeous in his glasses.

[BrandyHagz]

I should add, the under $100 we paid included a 1 year warranty.

[Ktates]

Hi Karen-
First check your insurance - some insurance only cover certain stores. Personally I would go with a place that does a lot of kid glasses - I'm surprised the opthamologist didn't have a recommendation. I go with a specialty shop in our practice. DD new frames with bifocal lenses was about $150. You can get insurance and some places have good packages. I have never had to replace her glasses completely but I have had to get a new bow (bough?) - when it broke off -but they gave it to me free of charge.

Also be sure it's convenient - I find we need a lot of adjustments due to her pulling them off with one hand, etc...though it's better now. Also ask what happens if they need to change the prescription in a few months...my place you would get a discount if the prescription changed quickly...

Good luck - I bet Alex looks super cute with glasses!

[becky26]

Hello,
our little daughter had glasses since she just turned two years old. Since we don't live too far from you, I can recommend you a very good ophtalmologist in Broward (will send you a PM). In fact, we just went to Bascolm Palmer in Miami two weeks ago. It is one of the best centers in the country, and they applauded us for the treatment so far.
We bought our first pair of glasses at a chain store - never again. The quality of the glasses was poor, and the selection of frames was very limited. We now buy the glasses from a store which is linked to the ophtalmologist (same building). We had to change the strength of the lenses several times. They are very accomodating - much easier to deal with than the large stores. Just my opinion... Good luck!

[Mil]

My daughter has worn glasses since she was two years old. We always went to a place that specialized just in glasses, such as Lens Crafters or small optical shops in our area. The places such as Sears and Walmart are really cheap, but any follow up service isn't so great. Being two, my daughter needed a lot of adjustments. I always chose a place close-by so that we could just swing in when needed for FREE adjustments. Also, they're better about fast changing prescriptions. But where ever you go, ask about these things first. Cheap isn't always the best in the long run.

[papedge]

Emerys getting glasses to @ walmart(hope its ok to say) charges 40.00 for the lenes @ least thats what they said about emerys then they had frames from 10.00-300.00 for kiddos the 10.00 dollar frames were notheing great thats not what emery picked he picked some sponge bob frames and they were 60.00 I think.

Kimberley

[Max'sMommy]

We use a doctor's office the specializes in children glasses. We bought the metal ones that are called "X games" (they are the bendable kind) They have done quite well in a years time, we did patch for a while, only while playing. DS is 5 years old and was 4 when he got them.

These glasses have been great!

1. they were walked on and bent all up at daycare. I thought they were toast! Took them back to the doctors office, they fixed them right back up!

2. DS "lost" them outside for 3 days. They were rained on, frosted over and pretty much left for dead til I did the search and rescue walk in the backyard.

The doctor said that they will wear them more if they need them. He wears them all the time without us reminding him to do so.

[KimOH]

DS has worn glasses since he was 14 months old (6 weeks after we brought him home. He could have used them sooner, but that's the quickest we could get in!) He's been in bifocals since 2 years old, we've had a surgery, and he patched for 4 years! It's never fun for your kid to need glasses...but it'll all work out!

I agree with Tkates and Becky. You want someplace that does a lot of children's glasses, someplace with a good warranty, and someplace that's convenient enough to go in for adjustments. (Although, we've found, in a pinch, most eye places to be very accommodating about doing adjustments on glasses that they didn't sell.)

We go to the shop that's associated with our ophthalmologist's office and our local Children's Hospital. We've had good luck there. The warranty has been honored (we've broken several pair and scratched up lots of lenses). The shop we go to was recommended by a family friend who is an optometrist. He said you want someone who specializes because kids glasses are "tricky." He also suggested avoiding anyone who guarantees glasses in an hour or a day. Apparently they stock common prescriptions and will give you "the closest available" rather than making them *exactly* to order.

[angelkisses0102]

Thanks...I am at such a loss. I may call the ophthalmologist's office to get his recommendation because I am completely clueless and I would rather drive and be comfortable than dealing with the 'unknown. 'No one here wears glasses...not even reading glasses. Walmart would be the closest and most convenient (I'm there every weekend) but based on some of these responses...I am torn.

I am tempted to check out Becky's suggestion after talking to the doctor...it will most likely be the same distance as going to a place close to our doctor. Not close by but probably better service...I am going to call our very local pediatrician tomorrow as well.

There's a lot going into this decision because as always DS is not the typical situation...with his nystagmus....so I am just CONFUSED. I hate to invest too much but I would hate not too. But we will probably start off by erring on the side of caution and going to a more 'specialized' place. Although DS would LOVE Spongebob frames from WalMart....

Thanks so much...I appreciate it.

And DS is so funny...he keeps asking 'when am I getting my glasses?' Hopefully tomorrow I will have a better idea.

[britfish]

Our eye dr. (who does not sell glasses) cautioned us against using a place like walmart. His concern is that if the lenses are incorrect or put in the wrong eye, a child will not be able to articulate that as an adult would. He says if you go to a discount chain to have the lenses read at his office before using them.
I second finding a place close to you because of repairs and lens changes. Grace had hers changed every 6 mos. for few years. We were able to find a deal through the office (or maybe the state) that covered repairs and lens changes for the first year.
I bet he will look handsome in glasses!!

[jeannecr]

I would think your pediatrician can recommend someplace close by.

Sorry to hear that DS needs glasses, but how wonderful that the JRA hasn't affected his eyes. It will be great for him to be able to see well.