What You Need to Know Before Buying Prescription Glasses for Your Child
Choosing glasses for a child is about more than simply finding a frame they like. You also need to consider comfort, durability, fit and, of course, the quality of their vision.
The good news for Quebec parents is that several programs and coverage options can help reduce the cost. Between the government reimbursement for children’s glasses, RAMQ-covered eye exams, private insurance and warranties offered on certain frames, there are several options available.
Here’s what parents should know before choosing children’s glasses.
The $300 Government Reimbursement for Children’s Glasses
This is one of the benefits that many parents are still unaware of. Through the government’s Mieux voir pour réussir program, RAMQ offers a $300 reimbursement for the purchase of glasses or contact lenses for children under 18.
To qualify, the child must be covered by RAMQ and have a prescription issued by an optometrist, among other requirements. The purchase must be made from an optician or optometrist in Quebec. The reimbursement is available once every 24 months, and the application must be submitted within 12 months of the purchase.
Another interesting point: the reimbursement does not apply only to a complete pair of glasses. In certain situations, it can also be used for the replacement of lenses while keeping the existing frame.
Children’s Eye Exams Are Covered by RAMQ
Before choosing a frame, you obviously need to start with vision. In Quebec, children under 18 are eligible for an eye exam covered by RAMQ when it is performed by an optometrist participating in the public health plan. A complete eye exam and colour vision assessment are covered up to once a year.
It is therefore best not to wait until your child complains about their vision before booking an appointment. A child may have difficulty seeing the board, reading or following an activity without necessarily being able to explain why. Vision also plays an important role in learning.
Basic screenings performed through the À l’école de la vue program are intended for screening purposes, but a complete eye exam with an optometrist is still recommended. Once the prescription has been established, an optician can help you choose a pair of glasses suited to your child’s needs.
How to Choose the Right Frame for a Child
Children run, play, participate in sports and handle their glasses several times a day. A children’s frame should therefore be chosen based on much more than appearance.
A good frame should:
- be suited to the child’s facial features;
- stay securely in place on the nose and behind the ears;
- be durable enough for everyday use;
- provide good comfort;
- be compatible with the prescription;
- allow for precise adjustments.
Children’s facial proportions are different from those of adults. A frame that simply looks like a “smaller version” of an adult model is therefore not necessarily the best choice.
There is also one essential factor: your child needs to like their glasses. A frame that is comfortable and well fitted but that your child refuses to wear because they don’t like how it looks doesn’t really do its job.
At Les Branchés Lunetterie, our face-shape styling service helps children choose a frame that combines style, comfort and their specific needs.
A Two-Year Warranty on Children’s Glasses
Children’s glasses need to keep up with their everyday lives. Even a quality frame can sometimes develop an issue or leave you unsatisfied. At Les Branchés Lunetterie, children’s glasses come with a two-year warranty from the date of delivery.
This warranty covers the lenses as well as every part of the frame, including the temples and front. It applies to frames from the Faniel Children’s Collection and the Branchés Children’s Collection. If any part of the glasses presents an issue or dissatisfaction during the warranty period, we’ll replace it once, no questions asked.
Don’t Forget About Your Private Insurance!
The $300 government reimbursement may not be your only source of coverage.
If you have private health insurance, your plan may also cover part of the cost of your child’s glasses or lenses. It may therefore be worth checking your coverage before your appointment at the optical store.
Also, don’t assume that having private insurance makes you ineligible for the government program. The two can be combined, depending on the applicable conditions. Checking with your insurance provider could therefore make a difference to your final bill.
Faniel’s Légende Collection: Glasses Designed for Children
At Les Branchés, we believe that children’s eyewear shouldn’t have to be a compromise between style, comfort and quality.
That’s why we’re proud to offer the Faniel Eyewear Légende Collection for children.
The collection offers young wearers a selection of frames designed for everyday life, combining the style and artistic craftsmanship that define Faniel creations. With a variety of colours, shapes and designs, children can express their personality while enjoying frames that meet their needs.
And because great-looking kids’ glasses shouldn’t have to cost a fortune, Légende frames are now part of our Branchés Combo at $259 with single-vision lenses, or $359 with progressive lenses. If you only need a frame, Légende models are also available for $189 instead of $209.
Because, at the end of the day, kids don’t just want to “need glasses.” They want their glasses: a colour they love, a shape that feels like them, and a frame they feel comfortable wearing.
Good Vision Starts with the Right Glasses
For a child, a pair of glasses is much more than an accessory. It accompanies them at school, at home, while playing and during their everyday activities.
Fortunately, Quebec families have access to several benefits that make it easier to access vision care: RAMQ-covered eye exams for children under 18, a $300 government reimbursement for glasses or contact lenses every 24 months, and the possibility of receiving additional coverage through private insurance, depending on the plan.
At Les Branchés Lunetterie, our team is here to guide you from the prescription to the selection of the right children’s frame, including our face-shape styling service, and all the way through to the final adjustment.
With the Faniel Légende Collection, your child can also find a frame that truly feels like their own.
Because a good pair of glasses is one that helps your child see clearly, feels comfortable to wear… and makes them proud to wear it.