The Importance of Eye Exams: One Mother's Story
In January 2015, shortly after my son Asher turned two, I discovered he would need glasses.
I was in denial.
"The doctor was wrong, he had to be!"
"There's no way!"
"I don't wear glasses nor does my husband, so why would my child?"
I doubted the doctor's diagnosis, but shortly came to the realization, "My little love bug was struggling to see."
I remember the very day we picked out his glasses. We walked out of the clinic, I placed them on his face and told him he would have to wear these, and we never looked back. That's when I knew they worked. If a two-year would keep a pair of glasses on their face.
This whole experience has been super eye-opening for me. I knew nothing about glasses and before I knew it, I was thrown into this world of eyecare for my two-year old.
I can't help but think that I could have probably caught Asher's eye issue earlier on in his life if I would have just taken him to a pediatric ophthalmologist.
That's when I decided, as a mom, I wanted to educate the world on vision awareness, encourage fellow parents to schedule those yearly eye exams, and just be an advocate for vision awareness.
I've learned through my own experience that just because you may not wear glasses, doesn't mean your child won't have vision issues. I learned not to rely so much on Asher's pediatrician to make these vision calls and exams either. The doctor knows the basics, but I cannot stress the importance enough to have your child's eyes checked by an eye specialist themselves.
Just a couple of months into Asher wearing glasses, I was told about Jonas Paul Eyewear through Instagram. A week later, I ordered their home try-on kit and the rest is history.
We ordered Asher's first set of JPE frames in the Spring of 2015. He was 2 1/2 years old and The Jonas frame fit him perfectly. After they arrived in the mail, I took him to his pediatric ophthalmologist to have them adjusted and everything just fell into place after that.
He's been only wearing Jonas Paul frames ever since and I'd like to shout from the rooftops about how much I love them.
Asher is currently sporting The Ryan in Cobalt, but we own many styles from Jonas Paul and they all have been stylish, functional and rock solid.
Parents, I know it can be scary finding out your child needs glasses and it's normal to worry about how they will adjust to the news, but here are a few of my favorite tips. For younger kids a rewards system works wonders, or read books that highlight glasses wearers. To name a few we love Arthur, Waldo, Gerald from Piggie and the Elephant series. And lastly, let them apart of the process! Have them pick out a pair of glasses they love and they will be so much more happier to wear them.
I am glad we have gone through this journey, and come out on the other side with Asher loving his glasses. Asher in glasses has just become a part of who he is. I can't even imagine him without them! He is still the ambitious dreamer I've always known and my favorite sidekick. He has lived in four states, (at just being 5 years old!) and wants to be a cop when he grows up. I adore his big heart to pieces and his constant need to have dessert after dinner... every time.
I am so happy that glasses have not taken away from his fun, loving personality.
Written by Emily // Continue to follow her on Instagram @emilyloeffelman
