Pillar 01 · Optical
The largest kids' frame selection in Washington — in our Wallingford and Bellevue dispensaries
Three generations of the Carlson family have fit Seattle kids since 1978. We carry frames most independent practices don't bother stocking — and our pediatric opticians know which ones survive a 7-year-old.
400+
Pediatric SKUs across two locations
48
Years curating kids' frames
100%
First-year replacement on normal breakage
$0
Cost for lifetime frame adjustments
Why parents drive here
Most optical shops carry 30 kids' frames. We carry 400.
PSEC has been a pediatric subspecialty practice since 1978. Dr. Melvin Carlson founded the practice after a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship under Dr. Arthur Jampolsky at the Smith-Kettlewell Institute. His son, Dr. Matt Carlson, won the Tole Greenstein Award for pediatric optometry.
The practice has carried serious kids' inventory for 48 years because that's been our specialty for 48 years. The frame brands we choose are ones our pediatric optician has tested against actual 7-year-olds.
What we stock
Frame brands curated for kids, by age and use
Flex-hinge survivors · ages 3-9
Miraflex
Italian-made silicone safety frames
Centrostyle
Flexible TR-90 polyamide
Tomato Glasses
Adjustable bridge for narrow + wide profiles
Maxima Eyewear Kids
Affordable durable nylon
Designer kids' · ages 8-17
Ray-Ban Jr.
Wayfarer + Aviator kids' sizes
Oakley Youth
Holbrook XS, Frogskins XS
Etnia Barcelona Junior
Color-saturated, ages 6+
Lindberg Strip + Acetanium Kids
Danish titanium 8+
Silhouette Titan Junior
Rimless titanium ages 8+
Sport + protective
Rec Specs
Basketball, soccer, lacrosse goggles
Liberty Sport
Rx swim, ski, sport eyewear
Wiley X Youth
Outdoor + shooting protective
Specific in-stock inventory varies between locations and rotates monthly. Call ahead if you're looking for a particular brand or style: Wallingford (206) 526-5222 · Bellevue (425) 454-0230.
Cross-pillar: myopia control
Stellest myopia control spectacles — the only FDA-approved myopia spectacle in the US
Stellest (Essilor, FDA-approved September 2025) is the only myopia control spectacle lens legally retailable in the US. PSEC dispenses Stellest at both locations.
If your child is in atropine drops, MiSight contact lenses, Ortho-K overnight contacts, or Stellest spectacles for myopia control — your frame choice matters. Some frame shapes block too much peripheral visual field for Stellest to work optimally. Our pediatric optician walks through compatibility with you.
Note: MiYOSMART (Hoya) is NOT FDA-approved in the US. We dispense FDA-approved options only.
Insurance + payment
What insurance covers — what isn't covered
Vision plan covered (most plans)
- Frame allowance ($150-$250 typical)
- Standard polycarbonate lenses (kids' impact safety)
- Anti-reflective coating (most premium plans)
- Photochromic add-on (some plans)
Out-of-pocket (HSA/FSA/CareCredit)
- Premium designer frame upcharge above plan
- Stellest myopia control lens (~$300-$500 upcharge)
- Premium AR coatings beyond plan tier
- Frame protection plan (one free replacement Year 1)
We verify your insurance coverage before you pick frames, so you know your out-of-pocket before you commit. Our front desk runs the eligibility check in 90 seconds while you browse.
FAQ
Questions parents ask first
Can my child be seen and fit for glasses in the same visit?
Yes — comprehensive eye exam + frame fitting happens in a single 60-90 minute visit at PSEC. Standard glasses are typically ready in 7-10 days; rush turnarounds available on most prescriptions.
Do you offer flexible frames for active kids?
Yes — Miraflex, Centrostyle, Tomato Glasses, and Maxima for ages 3-9, plus full sport/protective options for older kids. Our pediatric optician demonstrates frame durability in the dispensary.
What if my child breaks their glasses?
All kids' frames at PSEC include one free replacement in the first year for normal breakage. Beyond that, we offer frame replacement at 50% off for active patients. Adjustments are free for life of the frame.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept VSP, EyeMed, MetLife Vision, March Vision Care, and most major medical plans (Regence, BCBS, Premera, Kaiser, United, Aetna, Cigna, Apple Health, and more). HSA, FSA, and CareCredit also accepted.
My pediatrician said my kid's vision is changing fast. What is myopia control?
Childhood myopia is progressive — the earlier it starts, the higher it ends. We offer four FDA-evidenced myopia control modalities: Stellest spectacle lenses, Ortho-K overnight contact lenses, MiSight daily soft contact lenses, and low-dose atropine drops. Treatment is matched to your child's age, refraction, axial length, and family routine.
Where is your Wallingford office? Where is Eastgate?
Wallingford — 2501 N 45th Street, Seattle WA 98103 · (206) 526-5222 · Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-3pm. Eastgate/Factoria — 12402 SE 38th Street Suite 203, Bellevue WA 98006 · (425) 454-0230 · Monday-Thursday 9am-5:30pm, Friday 8am-4:30pm, Saturday by appointment.
Book a frame fitting at Wallingford or Bellevue
“A great kids' frame is one the kid actually wears. We have 400+ pediatric SKUs across our two offices for a reason — every child's face is different, every kid's lifestyle is different, and the wrong frame at age 7 means a year of glasses-on-the-floor instead of glasses-on-the-face. For our Stellest myopia patients especially, frame fit determines whether the lens technology actually does its job.”
Primary-source evidence
Sources cited on this page
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Ophthalmology. Visual System Assessment in Infants, Children, and Young Adults by Pediatricians. Pediatrics 2016;137(1):e20153596. View source →
- [2]Bao J, et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmology 2022;140(5):472-478. The Stellest 2-year randomized clinical trial. View source →
- [3]Pirindhavellie GP, et al. The Impact of Spectacles on the Quality-of-Life of Adult Females. Optometry and Vision Science 2023;100(11):777-784. View source →
- [4]Vision Council of America. The Vision Council 2024 Children's Eyewear Trends Report. The Vision Council, 2024. Industry market data on pediatric eyewear segment. View source →