Swissflex for children: ultra-lightweight, flexible glasses that mould to the face

Anyone who’s seen a child running about in glasses knows that the word ‘delicate’ rarely describes their day. There’s jumping, falling, hugging, resting the frames wherever they happen to be, and, five minutes later, it’s back to reading. Swissflex Kids has found its place in this real-life world: it’s lightweight, flexible and, above all, customisable.

At Centri Ottici Isolani, we make a great many of them, but we do not regard them as a one-size-fits-all pair of glasses. Their value lies in the system of components and the optician’s ability to transform them into a frame that is precisely tailored to that particular face, that prescription and those habits.

Around 3 grams: a weight that almost disappears

Swissflex states that the frame in its Kids range weighs around 3 grams. The finished pair of glasses will weigh more, as the lenses, size and design all play a part, but such a lightweight frame reduces the sensation of weight on the nose and ears.

For a child, comfort is no mere detail. If the glasses are heavy, feel tight or keep slipping down, the child will fiddle with them and move them around. If, on the other hand, they stay in place and are almost forgotten, they are much more likely to be worn for the full duration they are needed.

Flexible and very durable, but not indestructible

Swissflex material strikes a balance between stability and flexibility. The frame can accommodate a wide range of movements and withstands the stresses of everyday use better than stiffer frames. It is extremely durable, but it is not indestructible: no pair of glasses is when faced with the imagination of a particularly determined child.

Flexibility also has a value that is often overlooked. In the event of an accidental impact, a design without screws or rigid metal components avoids some of the hard points typical of more traditional frames. It is not a guarantee of absolute protection, nor does it turn the glasses into a safety device; however, it is a sensible technical consideration when designing glasses intended for play and physical activity.

Not a standard frame, but a modular system

The front, shape, bridge, temples, nose pads, end pieces and colours can all be combined. The manufacturer describes Swissflex as a system designed to adapt the shape and fit to the face; the Kids range features ergonomic components and non-slip end pieces designed to keep the glasses securely in place.

This modular design allows us to work on details that are fixed in a ready-made pair of glasses. We can find the most comfortable fit for the nose, adjust the temples, choose a shape that complements the lenses, and leave the most fun part to the child: creating a colour combination that they truly feel is their own.

The frames are chosen after the optician has issued the prescription

When it comes to children’s prescription glasses, it all starts with the optician’s prescription. Isolani carries out and oversees the technical aspects of the project: we check that the prescription, lens shape and frame are compatible, carry out the centring and check the final fit.

The lightness of the frame is not enough if the lenses are designed without taking into account their actual position on the face. With our Behavioural Alignment We take the measurements whilst the child is in a natural posture, so the optical design is based on the actual fit rather than on a theoretical position.

Why Swissflex Kids isn’t available to buy online

We could show colours and components on a product page, but the most important part would be missing: the child’s face. At Swissflex Kids Centri Isolani, the product isn’t sold online because it needs to be configured, measured and adjusted directly on the child.

The same combination does not work in the same way for everyone. The nasal bridge, the distance between the eyes, the height of the ears, the shape of the head and the prescription all vary. ‘Made to measure’, in this case, is not just a marketing slogan: it means actually selecting and adapting the components before the lenses are manufactured.

A modular system remains useful even after delivery

Children grow, and their glasses grow with them. The ability to adjust the components makes it easier to deal with adjustments, wear and tear, and minor everyday mishaps. However, the frame does need to be checked: even the most flexible material can lose its shape or require readjustment.

You can return to one of our Isolani Opticians whenever your glasses slip, feel too tight or lose their shape. We’ll check the fit free of charge, examine the nose pads, temples and stability, and adjust them as needed.

If a minor hiccup occurs, in our in-house laboratory We aim to adjust your glasses free of charge whenever the procedure allows. For more important occasions, the Isolani Service Charter with Mini-Kasko, because our support doesn’t end on the day of delivery.

Swissflex is one option; the project comes before the brand

Swissflex Kids is often an excellent solution for very active children or those sensitive to the weight of their glasses, but it should not be the only option when it comes to children’s glasses. There are certain face shapes, prescriptions and preferences for which another frame may be more suitable.

Our job is not to make every child fit into the same mould: it is to find the combination that remains stable, is comfortable and allows the lenses to function properly. In our article on children’s glasses, for school, sport and everyday comfort Let’s take a broader view of the whole day; in theHUB children’s glasses You’ll find a comprehensive guide to frames, lenses and in-depth information.