Don’t worry — it looks more confusing than it is! Here’s the quick decoder:

OD means right eye, OS means left eye. SPH (sphere) corrects nearsightedness (minus numbers) or farsightedness (plus numbers). CYL (cylinder) and AXIS correct astigmatism — if your child has it, both numbers will appear together.

Some prescriptions also include ADD (for reading power) or prism (for eye alignment). Most kids won’t have these, but if yours does, just enter them exactly as written.

The most important thing: make sure your prescription is current (less than 1 year old) and comes from a licensed eye care professional. If anything looks unclear, snap a photo and send it to hi@eyebuddykids.com — we’ll help you figure it out before you order.

PD stands for pupillary distance — the space between your child’s pupils, measured in millimeters. It tells us exactly where to place the optical center of each lens so your child sees clearly and comfortably.

Some eye doctors include PD on the prescription, but many don’t (especially for kids). If yours didn’t, no problem! You have two easy options:

Option 1: Use our PD Buddy tool. It’s a camera-based measurement right on our site. Just have your child sit still, look straight ahead, and follow the on-screen guide. It takes about 30 seconds.

Option 2: Call your eye doctor’s office and ask. They usually have it on file even if they didn’t print it.

Typical kids’ PD ranges from about 43mm to 58mm depending on age. If you’re unsure whether your measurement looks right, reach out to us — we double-check every order before it goes to the lab.

Size is the #1 reason online glasses don’t work out — so we’ve made it really hard to get wrong.

Every EyeBuddy frame is organized into age groups based on lens width, the most reliable indicator of fit:

Mini Buddies (Ages 1–4): 40–44mm lens width. Little Buddies (Ages 5–8): 44–48mm. Big Buddies (Ages 9–12): 48–52mm. Cool Buddies (Ages 13+): 50–54mm.

The fastest way to check: look at your child’s current glasses. There’s usually a set of numbers printed on the inside of the temple arm (the part that goes over the ear). The first number IS the lens width. Match that to our age groups and you’re golden.

No current pair to measure? Use our Fit Guide — it walks you through finding the right size using age, face shape, and a quick reference photo. And remember, every order comes with our Perfect Fit Guarantee. If the size isn’t right, we’ll swap it free.

Short answer: yes. Long answer: we built every frame and lens choice around the reality that kids are basically tiny stunt performers.

All our lenses are impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex — the same materials used in sports goggles and safety glasses. They meet FDA impact-resistance standards and are CPSIA-compliant for children’s products.

For frames, our FlexBuddies line features 180-degree flexible hinges that bend without breaking. Our FeatherLite frames are ultra-lightweight so kids barely notice they’re wearing them. And our SportBuddies are designed specifically for active play with wraparound protection and secure fit.

That said, glasses aren’t indestructible. Here are Buddy’s tips for making them last: always store them in their case when not being worn, clean with the included microfiber cloth (not a shirt sleeve!), and hold with both hands when putting them on and taking them off.

If something does break during normal use, contact us. We’ll work with you to get your child back in action as quickly as possible.

We offer three lens materials, each designed with kids in mind:

Polycarbonate — The Everyday Hero: A durable, impact-resistant lens built for kids’ daily adventures — from snack time to the playground. It’s thin, lightweight, and blocks 100% of UV rays. This is our most popular choice and works great for mild to strong prescriptions.

Trivex — The Clarity Champ: Strong, safe, and super clear — lenses made to keep up with every jump, run, and tumble. Trivex is the lightest lens material available and offers superior peripheral clarity, meaning sharper vision at the edges. Great for kids who wear glasses all day.

High-Index — The Slim & Light Option: Slim, light, and comfy — perfect for growing kids who need a little extra vision power. If your child has a stronger prescription, high-index lenses are noticeably thinner and lighter than standard options, so they look better and feel more comfortable.

All three come with scratch-resistant coating and full UV protection standard. On top of any lens, you can add: Blue Light filtering for screen time, or Transitions lenses that darken outdoors and go clear inside.

Not sure which to pick? Polycarbonate is perfect for most kids. Trivex is the upgrade for all-day wearers who want the lightest, clearest option. High-index is the way to go for stronger prescriptions where thinner lenses make a real difference. And if you’re still torn, ask Buddy in the chat — he loves helping with this one.

Kids’ eyes change fast, and many vision problems show zero obvious symptoms. The American Optometric Association recommends this schedule:

First exam at 6 to 12 months old (yes, really — babies can have eye exams!). A second exam at age 3. Another before starting school (age 5–6). Then every year after that through age 18.

Signs to watch for between checkups: sitting too close to screens or books, frequent squinting or head tilting, complaints of headaches or tired eyes, losing their place while reading, or one eye drifting inward or outward.

If your child already wears glasses, annual exams are especially important because their prescription can shift as they grow. A prescription older than one year may no longer be accurate — and we want every pair of EyeBuddies to give them their sharpest vision possible.

New glasses can feel a little strange at first, even for adults! Here’s what to expect:

For a first pair: most kids adapt within 1–2 weeks. During this time, things might look slightly “bent” or “wobbly” — this is normal as the brain learns to process the corrected vision. Encourage your child to wear them consistently (not off-and-on) to speed up adjustment.

For an updated prescription: if the change is small, adjustment is usually just a few days. Bigger changes might take a week or so.

Red flags to watch for: if your child is still complaining of blurry vision, headaches, or dizziness after two full weeks of consistent wear, contact your eye doctor. It could mean the prescription needs a tweak.

Buddy’s pro tip: start with low-activity times (reading, screen time) and work up to active play. This helps kids build confidence in their new view of the world!

Absolutely. Buying glasses online for a kid takes trust, and we want you to feel completely confident.

Every order comes with our 30-Day Perfect Fit Guarantee. If the frames don’t fit, the style isn’t right, or your child simply doesn’t love them, you can return or exchange within 30 days — no hoops to jump through.

For exchanges, we’ll help you find the right size or style and get a new pair on the way. For returns, we’ll process your refund as soon as we receive the frames back.

We also double-check every prescription order before it ships to catch any potential issues with PD, prescription accuracy, or lens compatibility. If something doesn’t look right, we’ll reach out before making the lenses — not after.

Have questions about an order? Chat with Buddy, email us, or use the contact form.