The TDSB school year opened on September 8, and the start of a new school year is often when parents notice that their child’s glasses no longer fit properly or the prescription needs updating. A frame that worked well in grade three may not be the right fit by grade five. This guide looks at the kids eyewear trends Toronto families are seeing this fall and what to look for in frames and lenses. Style matters, but a good fit and functionality should come first.
What are the kids eyewear trends in Toronto this fall?
Kids’ eyewear tends to follow the same styles seen in adult frames, with some changes for smaller faces and active lifestyles. Here are some of the styles parents will see in kids’ collections this fall at the Tonic Eye Care optical dispensary on Yonge Street.
Shapes: round, hexagonal and softened square
Round frames continue to be a popular choice for younger children. Hexagonal and other geometric shapes are also showing up more often in kids’ collections. For tweens, rounded rectangles and softened squares offer a more grown-up look, while slim ovals and smaller aviator shapes are options for teens.
Colours: autumn tones and translucent frames
Burgundy, plum, moss green, navy and warm brown are some of the colours appearing in new kids’ frames. Clear and translucent acetate also continues to be popular, with smoky grey and amber tones adding a little more colour.
“Small adult” styles for tweens and teens
As children get older, kids’ collections start to look more like adult eyewear in smaller sizes. Thin metal rounds, tortoiseshell squares and double-bridge styles are among the options available for tweens and teens. Tonic Eye Care carries Ray-Ban Junior, Nano Vista, Tomato Glasses, Indii Kids Eyewear and Roshambo Shades, with styles for toddlers through teens.
Sports and activewear frames
Some everyday kids’ frames now use features borrowed from sports eyewear, including rubberized temple tips, grippy nose bridges and deeper lens rims. For children playing sports such as soccer, basketball or hockey, dedicated sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses are a better option than regular glasses.
Which kids eyewear trends in Toronto are built to last?
The material of a frame can make a big difference in how it handles everyday use. Some are more flexible, while others offer a thinner or more grown-up look. Here are four materials commonly used in children’s eyewear.
| Frame material | What it is | Where it works best | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetate | A plant-based plastic, available in a wide range of colours and patterns | Tweens and teens who want a more adult style | Heavier and less flexible than TR90 |
| TR90 | A flexible nylon-based material that can bend and return to its original shape | School-age children and active kids | Fewer options for deep colours and patterns; adjustments should be done at the optical |
| Silicone and flexible rubber | Soft, flexible frames that may include a head strap | Infants, toddlers and children who don’t like rigid frames | Fewer style options and children may outgrow them quickly |
| Metal | Stainless steel, titanium and memory metal frames with adjustable nose pads | Teens and children who need more adjustment around the nose | Nose pads need occasional adjustment; some metals can irritate sensitive skin |
Clear and translucent frames are available in both flexible materials such as TR90 and harder materials such as acetate, so parents don’t necessarily have to choose between style and durability.
Whatever the material, a frame can still be damaged by everyday habits. Pulling glasses off with one hand or falling asleep while wearing them can put extra stress on the hinges.
How should kids’ glasses fit a smaller face?
Children’s noses tend to have a lower, flatter bridge than adults, so an adult-sized frame may slide down and leave the child looking over the top of the lenses. Our guide to how glasses should fit covers the measurements in more detail. For kids, three things matter most:
- The bridge sits properly on the nose. There should be no large gap between the frame and the nose. Kids’ plastic frames may use a moulded or saddle bridge, while metal frames can have adjustable nose pads.
- The temples fit comfortably around the ears. They should reach the ears without pressing. Cable temples, wraparound styles or a strap can help keep glasses in place for younger children.
- The frame is the right width. The lenses should line up with the child’s pupils without the frame being too wide or too narrow.
An optician will measure the child’s pupils and adjust the frame when you pick up the glasses. It’s also worth having the fit checked again after the child has had time to wear them.
Which lenses and coatings do kids’ glasses need?
Lens material is one of the first things to consider when choosing glasses for a child. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends plastic or polycarbonate lenses for children’s sunglasses rather than glass. Its 2023 position statement also recommends UV protection for children’s distance prescription glasses, either built into the lens material or added as a coating. The CAO notes that children can receive significant UV exposure over the course of their childhood, making year-round protection worth considering.
Polycarbonate is a common choice for children’s glasses. It is lightweight and impact-resistant, and provides UV protection without needing a separate UV coating.
| Lens feature | Built in or added | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV protection | Built into polycarbonate; can be added to regular plastic lenses | Blocks UVA and UVB | The CAO recommends UV protection for children’s distance glasses |
| Scratch-resistant coating | Included with our polycarbonate lenses | Helps protect the lenses from everyday scratches | Useful for glasses that spend a lot of time in backpacks and on desks |
| Anti-reflective coating | Included with our polycarbonate lenses | Reduces reflections and glare from lights and screens | Clearer vision |
| Photochromic lenses | Lens option | Darken outdoors and become clear indoors | Convenient for children who may forget or lose sunglasses |
| Blue light filter | Added coating or lens option | Filters some blue-violet light | Not necessary for most children |
| Myopia control lenses | Specialized lens design | Designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness | Worth discussing with the optometrist if your child is myopic |
Do blue light glasses help kids in Toronto?
Parents often ask about blue light, especially when their children spend a lot of time on screens. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that there is no scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices damages the eyes, and that blue light-blocking glasses do not improve symptoms of digital eye strain. It does not recommend special blue light-blocking eyewear for computer use. It does note that heavy screen use late in the evening can make it harder to fall asleep.
Tonic Eye Care offers a blue light filter as a lens option, but it is not a solution for tired eyes after homework. Regular screen breaks can help, including the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Keeping the screen at a comfortable distance and limiting screen use before bed can also help.
If your child’s prescription has increased at each of the last two exams, ask about myopia control lenses and other options before choosing new frames.
Does your child need new frames every year?
Not necessarily. If your child’s prescription has not changed and the frame still fits well, a simple adjustment, new nose pads or replacement lenses may be enough. A new frame makes more sense when the current one has become too small, damaged or difficult to keep in place.
Sports are another consideration. A frame that slips during a game can be distracting and may not provide the protection a child needs for certain activities. For kids who play competitive sports regularly, ask your optometrist whether sports goggles, contact lenses or another option makes sense for the activity.
Style should always come after fit, vision and safety.
How do you get a child to wear new glasses?
Start by giving your child some choice. Once the optician has narrowed things down to frames that fit properly, let your child choose the colour or style they like. Picking between three or four good options gives them some control without letting style get in the way of fit.
Once you have the right pair, encourage regular wear from the start unless your optometrist recommends otherwise. It can take some children a little time to get used to how their glasses feel and how the world looks through their new prescription. Our post on helping a child adapt to glasses covers what parents can expect during the adjustment period.
If your child keeps taking their glasses off, complains that they hurt or says they cannot see clearly, have the fit and prescription checked. A children’s eye exam at Tonic Eye Care can confirm whether the prescription is still appropriate and whether the glasses are fitting properly. Our school vision checklist for Toronto parents also covers signs that a child may be having trouble with their vision at school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which eyeglass frame material is best for children?
There is no single best material for every child. Flexible TR90 frames can be a good everyday choice for school-age children, while acetate suits tweens and teens who want a more adult style. Silicone and flexible rubber frames can work well for younger children, while metal frames with adjustable nose pads offer more flexibility for children who need extra adjustment around the nose.
Do children need sunglasses?
Yes. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends UV protection for children’s eyes and recommends plastic or polycarbonate lenses for children’s sunglasses instead of glass. Look for sunglasses labelled UV400 or 100% UV protection. A dark tint on its own does not mean the lenses provide UV protection.
Do kids need blue light glasses for school?
No. The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend blue light-blocking glasses for computer use because there is no scientific evidence that blue light from screens damages the eyes or that these glasses relieve digital eye strain. Regular screen breaks and limiting screen use before bed can be more useful for reducing discomfort and protecting sleep.
How thick will the lenses be?
Lens thickness depends on the prescription, lens material and frame size. Stronger prescriptions can require thicker lenses, while smaller frames can help reduce the amount of lens thickness at the edges.
What are the eyeglass trends in 2026?
Clear and translucent frames, geometric shapes, softened squares and autumn colours such as burgundy, plum and moss green are among the styles appearing in kids’ eyewear this year. Scaled-down adult styles, including thin metal rounds and smaller aviator shapes, are also popular with tweens and teens.
