Kids, sports and glasses: the honest answer on impact resistance

Basketball on the barangay court, football at school, a Saturday swimming class, a sprint across the schoolyard. Filipino kids are active, and glasses take a beating. Parents ask us the same question: which lens is shatterproof?

The honest answer is that no lens is unbreakable, and we do not name a specific impact-resistant lens product in this article, because we want to give you an answer that is confirmed and not a guess. Here is what we can say, and what to ask in store.

What we know

Lens material affects how a lens behaves in an impact. The frame matters as much as the lens, because a frame that snaps or pops a lens out can be as harmful as a cracked lens. A child who takes a ball to the face can be hurt by any glasses. Prescription glasses are not the same as protective sports eyewear made to a safety standard.

What we do not claim

The Vision Express lens mat does not list a named impact-resistant lens line, so we do not name one here. We will not tell you a lens is shatterproof, and we would be wary of any shop that does. If your child plays contact sports or games with fast balls, ask the team about the toughest lens material available for your child's frame, and ask what the limits are.

Six things that protect a child's eyes and glasses

• Choose a flexible, well-fitted frame. A frame that bends and returns is often more forgiving than a rigid one. Ask the team what suits your child's face.
• Get the fit adjusted. A sports strap or a snug fit keeps glasses from flying off. Free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment means you can come back as your child grows.
• Consider a backup pair. Children lose and break glasses. A second pair means a broken frame is a small problem.
• Keep a case in the sports bag. Glasses tossed into a bag get scratched and bent.
• Ask a coach about protective eyewear. For high-impact sports, dedicated protective eyewear may be recommended, and prescription options may exist. Ask the team what is available.
• Get sports injuries checked. A hit to the eye or brow needs medical attention. Do not wait to see if it settles.

Everyday lenses that work for active kids

For a child's everyday pair, the lens mat names Opulens Advanced 1.60, which is kept in stock and can be ready in 20 minutes. That matters for active children, because a broken pair can be replaced quickly. For humid, sweaty days, the mat also points to Opulens Ultra 1.60, also ready in 20 minutes.

If your child spends time in the sun, ask the team about Essilor Photochromic Elements White 1.56, ready in 1 to 2 days.

If your child is myopic

Active kids can wear myopia control lenses too. Essilor Stellest, Shamir Optimee and Hoya MiYOSMART are designed to slow progression, and the optometrist decides if they suit your child. Ask the team how the lens handles sport and what to do about the frame.

What to do when glasses break at practice

• Check your child's eye and face for cuts before anything else.
• Do not let a child wear glasses with a cracked lens. Small pieces can chip off.
• Bring the pair to the store. The team can tell you what can be repaired and what needs replacing.

Book your Vision7 exam

Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store, and tell the optometrist which sports your child plays. The seven-step exam gives you a current prescription, and the team can then talk through frame, fit and lens material with you. For an everyday pair that can be ready in 20 minutes, ask for Opulens Advanced 1.60. For the toughest material available for your child's frame, ask the team directly.

Every pair comes with a 1-year warranty, free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning and free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment.