Aspie always wants to wear glasses

[Fridgemagnetman]

Tell him he's a style icon..

He'll feel so uncomfortable he's bound to take them off


Up to him - not a big deal as everyone has already said.

But they didn't say this :

Placebo not nocebo.

 

[SusanLR]

I have a lot of astigmatism and must wear prescription glasses to drive on my license.
But, I don't like wearing glasses.
Even though the world is fuzzy, I only wear them when I have to.
Mainly driving, watching TV, shopping and gardening or walking in nature parks.
I don't like them on when just at home. Can't stand eating with them on.
Don't want them for the computer.
Wish I had normal vision and only needed non script sunglasses.

If they make him feel safe and comfortable, I'd say he is lucky to enjoy wearing them as
they are good for the blu-ray light protection.

 

[Autistamatic]

To be honest with you, the blue light protection isn't necessary for indoors, no matter how long you stare at a screen. It's never been a significant amount and for the last 5 years or so LCD & OLED screens, and LED bulbs have been adjusted in manufacture to reduce the amount of blue light they emit. Because I work in the industry I've had access to the studies which have forced the manufacturers of prescription lenses to drop the whole "screens & LED lights" spiel from their marketing.
On the other hand, sunlight has high levels of blue light, so outdoors they are well worth having.
Blue light is a problem because it's been shown to be a contributory factor towards AMD (age related macular degeneration) which is a serious vision problem most common in older people. It's got little to do with headaches or sleep patterns.
All the above relates to people in general though, and does not account for the possibility of hyper sensitivity in an autistic child or adult. That may be the case for this lad, or it may just be that he likes glasses. In my dispensing career, around 1 in 20 of the specs I dispensed had plano (no power) lenses for people who wore them as a fashion statement, for comfort or to help them get work (people with specs are perceived as more intelligent). I'm told by former colleagues that figure is nearer to 1 in 10 these days.

 

[Major Tom]

I'd say let him wear them as long as they aren't harming anyone.

 

[Joshua the Writer]

I wear glasses because I am shortsighted, and I feel more comfortable with them on than when I don't have them on for some reason. I love the feel of my glasses on my face and over my ears. I don't even take them off when I am looking at a computer monitor, reading a book, or playing my Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on my Nintendo 2DS (the flat 2DS, in case anybody was wondering).

Your son might just like the feel of his glasses on his face and ears, as well.

 

[Autistamatic]

I wear glasses because I am shortsighted, and I feel more comfortable with them on than when I don't have them on for some reason. I love the feel of my glasses on my face and over my ears.

Fun (ish) info:
Myopes (short/near sighted) are far more likely to wear their specs when they need them than Hypermetropes (long/far sighted).
Myopes on average have their eyes tested almost twice as often and in a lifetime own 2.5 times as many pairs of specs as Hypermetropes.
Car accidents caused by Hypermetropes who were not wearing their specs or wearing out of date prescriptions at the time, outnumber those of Myopes almost 4 to 1.

 

[Carla Stone]

That's a pretty common problem for people on the spectrum. At age 30 I have a pretty good idea of what bothers me and why, and could explain some of it or at least give analogies that other people might understand, because I've researched it quite a bit and compared what I learned to my own experiences. At age 12, though, I couldn't have explained any of it, not even to myself. Neurotypical culture doesn't tend to teach us the language to describe things that aren't common neurotypical experiences, so sometimes we don't know how to talk about those things until we learn it from other people with similar experiences. It's also common to have trouble describing or even understanding how we feel, even if we are otherwise very intelligent and even well-spoken.

Thanks for your help. It’s a relief to know that one day he may be able to communicate his feelings better!

 

[Carla Stone]

How nice that you got them for him in the first place! It sounds adorable to me.

I wouldn't worry about him not getting over it, I doubt he'll be sixty years old and refusing to take them off.

If you miss his face, look at a picture!

Haha! Thanks!

 

[Carla Stone]

I was obsessed with glasses too. I wanted a pair so much, that I was intending to fake the test to get them, but lol it ended me needing them anyway, due to a lazy eye! Also, my introduction to sunglasses and oh my! I was thrilled, because suddenly, I was not overwhelmed with brightness of the sun.

Don't take them away from them, especially since the purpose still exists ie his computer screen.

Thank you!

 

[Carla Stone]

I wear glasses because I am shortsighted, and I feel more comfortable with them on than when I don't have them on for some reason. I love the feel of my glasses on my face and over my ears. I don't even take them off when I am looking at a computer monitor, reading a book, or playing my Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on my Nintendo 2DS (the flat 2DS, in case anybody was wondering).

Your son might just like the feel of his glasses on his face and ears, as well.

Thanks!

 

[Pats]

Just wanted to throw one more thing into the midst. As someone on the spectrum, we tend to take everything seriously. If you gave him the glasses and said they are to protect his eyes, he would take that to mean just that with no exceptions. I'm sure it's not the case that you put it in a way that he would be afraid to take them off, but, like I said, just wanted to throw that out there. I just remember being told certain things that strongly stuck with me but not my siblings and I still live by it, even if it was slightly not making sense.
I like everyone's advice and agree, if they do not harm his eyes, in whatever way, makes him feel safer, better or whatever and isn't hurting anything.

 

[Carla Stone]

I have a lot of astigmatism and must wear prescription glasses to drive on my license.
But, I don't like wearing glasses.
Even though the world is fuzzy, I only wear them when I have to.
Mainly driving, watching TV, shopping and gardening or walking in nature parks.
I don't like them on when just at home. Can't stand eating with them on.
Don't want them for the computer.
Wish I had normal vision and only needed non script sunglasses.

If they make him feel safe and comfortable, I'd say he is lucky to enjoy wearing them as
they are good for the blu-ray light protection.

Thank you!

 

[onlything]

If it helps him, don't take it from him. Lack of glasses now may cause him a great distress, both due to sensory and security issues. It's similar for me with my earphones. Some sounds are painful, so not having earphones on with or without music is quite stressful. It also feels secure to have them on or to put them around my neck. My neck is another thing where I always have something - earphones, scarf or a turtleneck. I can't stand the feeling of air on my skin on that part of the body, it makes me sick easily as well - and very insecure if I don't have anything there.

It's both sensory issues and the need for routine.

 

[Bronzelincolns]

what do you see as the harm of your son keeping the glasses on?

 

[Carla Stone]

Just wanted to throw one more thing into the midst. As someone on the spectrum, we tend to take everything seriously. If you gave him the glasses and said they are to protect his eyes, he would take that to mean just that with no exceptions. I'm sure it's not the case that you put it in a way that he would be afraid to take them off, but, like I said, just wanted to throw that out there. I just remember being told certain things that strongly stuck with me but not my siblings and I still live by it, even if it was slightly not making sense.
I like everyone's advice and agree, if they do not harm his eyes, in whatever way, makes him feel safer, better or whatever and isn't hurting anything.

I completely understand now, everyone’s answers have been so helpful. Thank you!

 

[Carla Stone]

what do you see as the harm of your son keeping the glasses on?

I just didn’t want him to become dependent on them. Whether it’s a watch or a sweatshirt, he tends to obsess on wearing certain items. I just wish he could be a little bit more flexible. His glasses might break, his sweatshirt might not be washed etc. What will he do when that happens and I’m not there?

 

[Autistamatic]

If he has no Rx but he's become reliant on the specs, you could get him some spares inexpensively. Look on Wish or Ali-Express to get some with the same properties as he has now for a couple of dollars/pounds each direct from China (most of the branded ones are made there anyway). I've ordered a few and tested them on a spectrometer at work and they're just as effective if it is the blue light that bothers him.
If you want some guidance on sizes appropriate for his age then PM me and I'll help

 

[Carla Stone]

If it helps him, don't take it from him. Lack of glasses now may cause him a great distress, both due to sensory and security issues. It's similar for me with my earphones. Some sounds are painful, so not having earphones on with or without music is quite stressful. It also feels secure to have them on or to put them around my neck. My neck is another thing where I always have something - earphones, scarf or a turtleneck. I can't stand the feeling of air on my skin on that part of the body, it makes me sick easily as well - and very insecure if I don't have anything there.

It's both sensory issues and the need for routine.[/
That’s interesting, it’s definitely a security issue as well.
He’s just so specific about everything that he needs. I wish he could be more flexible and not so rigid, for his own good later on in life.

 

[Carla Stone]

If he has no Rx but he's become reliant on the specs, you could get him some spares inexpensively. Look on Wish or Ali-Express to get some with the same properties as he has now for a couple of dollars/pounds each direct from China (most of the branded ones are made there anyway). I've ordered a few and tested them on a spectrometer at work and they're just as effective if it is the blue light that bothers him.
If you want some guidance on sizes appropriate for his age then PM me and I'll help

We had some, made in China, that his doc said we’re not as effective. So, I got rid of those. Maybe she just wanted us to buy some from her? But that’s a good idea, I know where to get a backup. Thank you!

 

[Autistamatic]

If a doc should say that to you, ask him for a full spectromatic test comparison. It's very unlikely they'll be able to provide it. A full range spectrometer (Not just an RGB/UV meter) is a very expensive piece of kit that very few opticians/optometrists/eye doctors would own. I only know of one in the UK and he's a colourimetry specialist. If, in the unlikely event, they do have one, get a graph plot of both the old and new specs and I'll give you an honest interpretation of them. I have nothing to gain but my own interest in yours and your son's well being