Choosing Glasses for Children With Myopia

Part of our myopia control for children in Singapore at The Cathay and Jelita Mall.

Last reviewed and updated: 30 September 2026

Choosing glasses for a child is about more than finding a frame that looks good. The prescription must provide clear vision, the frame needs to fit comfortably and securely, and the lenses should be suitable for the child's visual needs and daily activities.

For a child with myopia (short-sightedness), there is another important consideration: are the glasses intended only to correct blurry distance vision, or is there also a need to slow myopia progression?

These are not the same thing. Ordinary prescription glasses can provide clear vision, while specially designed myopia-control spectacle lenses are intended to correct vision while also helping to slow the progression of childhood myopia.

This guide explains what parents should consider when choosing glasses for a child with myopia, from prescription and lens type to frame fit, comfort, durability and myopia management.

Start With an Up-to-Date Eye Examination

Before choosing a frame, start with an accurate and current prescription. Children's eyes can change as they grow, and a pair of glasses should be based on what the child needs now rather than an older prescription.

An eye examination can assess more than whether a child can read the smallest letters on an eye chart. Depending on the child's needs, the optometrist may also consider eye health, binocular vision, focusing, prescription history and whether there are signs that myopia is progressing.

If your child has not had a recent examination, you can learn more about EMME Visioncare's comprehensive eye examination and eye-care services.

Ordinary Glasses and Myopia-Control Glasses Are Not the Same

This is one of the most important distinctions for parents of children with myopia.

Ordinary single-vision spectacles

Conventional single-vision lenses are prescribed to focus distant images clearly on the retina. They correct the blurred vision caused by myopia, allowing a child to see the classroom board, recognise faces at a distance and participate more comfortably in everyday activities.

However, providing clear vision does not necessarily mean that the lenses are designed to slow the underlying progression of myopia.

Myopia-control spectacle lenses

Myopia-control spectacle lenses provide the child's distance prescription while incorporating additional optical design features intended to influence how light is focused across the retina. Modern designs have been studied for their ability to reduce the rate of myopia progression and axial elongation compared with ordinary single-vision lenses.

The aim is not to cure myopia or guarantee that the prescription will stop changing. Rather, the objective is to slow progression over time.

EMME provides information on spectacle-lens options including HOYA MiYOSMART myopia-control lenses and Essilor Stellest 2.0 myopia-control lenses. The appropriate option should be selected according to the individual child's prescription, progression, eye measurements, lifestyle and clinical findings.

Does Every Child With Myopia Need Myopia-Control Spectacles?

Not necessarily.

Myopia management should be individualised. A child who has recently become myopic, a younger child whose prescription is changing quickly and an older teenager with relatively stable myopia may have different needs.

An optometrist may consider factors such as the child's age, current prescription, previous prescription changes, family history of myopia, visual demands, lifestyle and measurements of eye growth.

There are also different evidence-based approaches to childhood myopia management. Depending on suitability, these may include myopia-control spectacle lenses, specialised soft contact lenses, Ortho-K or atropine prescribed and managed through an appropriate clinical pathway.

You can read more about the broader options on our childhood myopia control page, or explore how different approaches are interpreted in our guide to the effectiveness of myopia-control treatments.

Frame Fit Matters — Especially for Children

A frame that looks good but constantly slides down a child's nose is unlikely to be a good choice.

Children move frequently during school, sport and play. Their facial proportions also differ from those of adults. A suitable children's frame should remain stable without excessive pressure on the nose, temples or behind the ears.

Good frame fit is particularly important when specialised spectacle lenses are being prescribed because the position of the lenses relative to the child's eyes needs to be measured accurately according to the lens design.

Check the bridge fit

Young children often have a lower or less developed nose bridge than adults. If a frame does not sit correctly on the bridge, it may repeatedly slide down the nose.

When this happens, the child may look over the top of the lenses rather than through the intended part of the lens. Constant slipping can also make glasses uncomfortable and discourage regular wear.

Frames should therefore be assessed individually rather than selected according to the labelled size alone.

Check the temple length

The temples are the arms of the frame that extend towards and behind the ears. They should be long enough to sit securely without being excessively tight or loose.

For younger children or children whose glasses tend to move during activity, appropriately fitted ear hooks or retention straps may sometimes help keep the frame stable.

Consider spring hinges where appropriate

Children do not always remove their glasses carefully. Spring hinges allow the temples to flex outwards beyond the normal open position and may make some frames more forgiving during everyday handling.

They are not essential for every child, but durability and ease of adjustment are worth considering when comparing frames.

Consider the Prescription Before Choosing a Large Frame

A child's prescription can influence which frame shapes and sizes are most practical.

For higher myopia prescriptions, very large frames can result in thicker and heavier lens edges. A smaller, well-centred frame may help reduce unnecessary lens thickness and weight, although the final result will also depend on the prescription, lens material, lens index and frame design.

This does not mean that every child with myopia needs a very small frame. The aim is to find a sensible balance between appearance, comfort, optical performance and the requirements of the prescribed lens.

If a myopia-control spectacle lens is being considered, it is particularly useful to choose the lens and frame together rather than purchasing a frame first and trying to fit a specialised lens into it afterwards.

Choose a Frame Your Child Is Willing to Wear

Clinical suitability matters, but so does the child's opinion.

A technically excellent pair of glasses is of limited value if the child dislikes wearing it. Children may feel self-conscious when wearing glasses for the first time, particularly at school.

Allowing your child to participate in choosing the frame can improve acceptance. Colour, shape and style can all matter to a child, provided the final frame also fits properly and is appropriate for the prescription.

For myopia-control spectacles in particular, consistent wear as prescribed is an important part of treatment. Comfort, stability and the child's willingness to wear the glasses should therefore be considered alongside the optical design.

Plastic or Metal Frames?

Both plastic and metal frames can be suitable for children. There is no single material that is best for everyone.

The choice depends on the child's facial shape, prescription, comfort, activity level and the individual frame construction. Some plastic frames provide a comfortable fit for smaller noses, while metal frames often allow more adjustment through their nose pads.

If your child has previously experienced skin irritation from certain frame materials, let the optometrist or optician know so that appropriate materials can be considered.

What Lens Material Is Suitable for Children?

Children's lenses should balance optical performance, weight, durability and safety.

Impact-resistant lens materials such as polycarbonate are commonly considered for children's eyewear, particularly for active children. The most appropriate material may also depend on the child's prescription and the type of spectacle lens being fitted.

Scratch resistance is another practical consideration. Children's glasses may be placed on desks, dropped into school bags or handled less carefully than adult eyewear, so lens coatings and good care habits can help extend their useful life.

Your optometrist or optician can recommend a lens material after considering the prescription, frame and how the glasses will be used.

Everyday Glasses Are Not the Same as Sports Eye Protection

If your child regularly participates in ball sports or other activities with a meaningful risk of impact around the eyes, ordinary everyday spectacles may not provide the same protection as properly fitted sports eyewear.

Sports eyewear should be selected according to the activity and fitted securely so that it stays in position during movement.

If your child is involved in competitive or high-impact sport, discuss their activities when choosing their glasses rather than assuming their everyday frame will be suitable for every situation.

Should Your Child Have a Backup Pair?

A spare pair can be useful, particularly for children who depend on their glasses throughout the day or who have a stronger prescription.

Frames can be damaged during play, lenses can become scratched and glasses can occasionally be misplaced. Having a usable backup means the child does not have to function without clear vision while the main pair is being repaired or replaced.

If using an older pair as a backup, check whether the prescription is still reasonably current. An old pair may no longer be appropriate if the child's myopia has changed substantially.

Do Not Deliberately Choose Weaker Glasses to "Protect" the Eyes

Parents sometimes wonder whether giving a child a weaker prescription will stop the eyes from becoming dependent on glasses or prevent myopia from increasing.

Deliberately under-correcting a child's myopia is not an established myopia-control treatment. The prescribed correction should be based on an appropriate eye examination rather than intentionally leaving the child's distance vision blurred.

If the concern is that your child's prescription keeps increasing, the more useful question is whether their myopia is progressing and whether an evidence-based myopia-control strategy should be considered.

When Should Parents Consider a Myopia Assessment?

If your child's prescription is becoming more myopic over time, particularly at a younger age, it may be useful to assess progression rather than simply replacing the glasses with a stronger prescription each time.

At EMME Visioncare, axial length is measured for every child undergoing a myopia assessment. Axial length measures the length of the eye and provides additional information about eye growth that cannot be obtained from the spectacle prescription alone.

The measurement is interpreted together with factors such as age, refractive error, previous progression, eye health and other clinical findings. There is no single axial-length number that by itself determines whether a child requires treatment.

The purpose of monitoring is to understand how the child's myopia is changing over time and to determine whether the current management approach remains appropriate.

Choosing the Right Glasses Is About More Than Appearance

For a child with myopia, a good pair of glasses should provide clear vision, fit securely, feel comfortable and be practical for everyday life.

But parents should also understand whether the lenses are intended simply to correct myopia or whether they have been prescribed as part of a strategy to slow myopia progression.

If your child's prescription has been increasing, consider discussing their progression rather than focusing only on the next pair of glasses. An individualised myopia assessment can help determine whether active myopia control is appropriate and which option best suits your child's eyes and lifestyle.

References

1. Flitcroft I, Bullimore MA, Gifford KL, et al. Myopia Correction, Myopia Control and Myopia Management: Definitions and Recommended Usage. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2025;66(6):41.
2. Bullimore MA, Saunders KJ, Baraas RC, et al. IMI—Interventions for Controlling Myopia Onset and Progression 2025. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2025;66(12):39.
3. Bao J, Huang Y, Li X, et al. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmology. 2022;140(5):472–478.