How do I get DD to wear her glasses without a breakdown?!

[Glassesmare]

My DD who is 5 got glasses 2 weeks ago. She was absolutely distraught that she needed them and has been in a state ever since we collected them.
She's cried so much that the skin around her eyes is bleeding, she's been sick from crying so much and she's refusing to eat saying it feels weird with them on. I have to watch her like a hawk otherwise she's hiding them or trying to break them. I've tried getting her books with characters with glasses and bought her a doll with glasses, but she just can't or won't calm down! I don't know what to do to help her. Please does anyone have any idea what I can do or tell me that it gets better!

I had a pair of glasses that were very nice but too have on my nose. It gave me head aches... never used them...

When I got my first glasses I had to clean them every day. Every little spot irritated me for the first 2 weeks... now I care a lot less.

But also importantly: with every new pair of glasses that I have I have a few days of adjustments. Especially with depth perception. Walking feels very strange... And the new 'clarity' that is gives, it is almost too sharp the first few days.

@Glassesmare if she has a strong prescription, did you get her lenses thinned at all? Thick lenses can be really heavy on the face, especially if you're not used to it.

Poor thing, I remember it well from her age :-(

First, make sure they have been properly fitted and adjusted, so they are comfortable to wear. Places to check are behind her ears (are they fitted too tight, is skin rubbed)
The bridge of her nose, (do they keep sliding down? )
and the tops of her cheeks. (does the bottom of the frame dig in to chubby cheeks).
Does she feel any discomfort/strain in her eyes themselves, from the lens correction of her sight problem.

ASK her if the feel ok at those spots and if not, take her and the glasses (together) back to the opticians to have them adjusted.

Other wise, you might try straight bribery until she gets used to wearing them. maybe a very glamourous professional facepaint session that makes the new glasses look good? Gorgeous headbands or hat?

I started wearing glasses aged 10. The optician told me to not wear them all the time straight away but increase time until I got used to them..that was 1976. We picked mine up the morning we were going on holiday to Butlins 😀 the distraction of holiday meant it didn't take long at all.

My son was bad at wearing his glasses. He has SN tho. But what the optician said is eventually he will realise he can see better with them and will want to wear them.

I hated mine as a child but they were ghastly NHS ones!!

I had glasses at a similar age and it was a revelation to be able to see - leaves on trees! - now who would have thought!? It was worth enduring the teasing which happened at that time, but I do not think the teasing aspect is so great now - they seem to provide kudos.

If your DD hates them so much, it may be that the prescription needs checking; or that there has been one incident with another child that has pout her off.

If they are very heavy lenses because of the prescription could you discuss high index thin lenses?

My DD had glasses from about 2 and she was happy to wear them - she could see so much better - but she was hopeless (understandably) at keeping them in one piece.

30 mins a day (set a timer), increase it by 15 mins every day. Check behind her ears, mine used to get sore as a child, it was miserable.