Like many primary school students in Singapore, your child may be wearing spectacles. In fact, around the world, specs are the most widely-used aid to correct vision problems like myopia. To meet the different needs of wearers, there is a wide variety of specially designed lenses. Here, we explain some of them.

 

Lenses with different coating or tinting

  1. UV CoatingUV Coating (Image)

    This provides ultraviolet (UV) protection for your eyes by blocking damage to your eyes by the sun’s harmful rays. Overexposure to UV rays is believed to cause cataracts, retinal damage and other eye problems. Sunglasses should have at least 95% UV coating to prevent damage to your eyes.

     

  2. Hard CoatingHard Coating (image)

    A clear, hard coating makes these lenses more scratch-resistant.



     

  3. Multi-CoatingMulti Coating (Image)

    Lenses with an anti-reflective coating or multi-coating helps to minimise the glare, reflections, and halos around lights. This is useful for safety purposes when you are driving at night.


     

  4. PhotochromicPhotochromic (Image)

    Photochromic lenses change from a light colour to a dark colour depending on the amount of UV light that they are exposed to.



     

  5. TintingTinting (image)

    Tints are available on plastic as well as glass lenses



     

Caring for your spectacles

If your child has started wearing spectacles, teach him how to take proper care of his spectacles. Here are a few tips:

  • Wash them in warm water.
  • Dry them with soft cotton or cleaning cloth.
  • Do not use tissue paper or your T-shirt to wipe the lenses as these can scratch them.
  • Wash or blow off dust or grit.
  • Do not place your spectacles with the lenses facing down.
  • When not using them, store the spectacles in their protective case.
  • Do not put spectacles in your pocket—they may fall out or get bent out of shape.
  • Put on or take off the spectacles with both hands.

Wearing contact lenses

Get your child to practise these tips when wearing contact lenses.

  • Make sure they learn the correct handling of their contact lenses from their optometrists.
  • Always wash hands before handling their contact lenses.
  • Clean their contact lenses daily with the method taught to them.
  • Keep fingernails short to avoid scratching their contact lenses.
  • Do not wear contact lenses if there is discomfort or redness in their eyes.
  • Use lubricating eyedrops whenever they feel their eyes are dry.
  • Always keep a spare pair of spectacles with them in case they are unable to wear their contact lenses.

Related: Healthy Eyes, Clear Vision

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