Haven't signed into your Scholastic account before?
Teachers, not yet a subscriber?
Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine.
You are being redirecting to Scholastic's authentication page...
Announcements & Tutorials
Renew Now, Pay Later
Sharing Google Activities
2 min.
Setting Up Student View
Exploring Your Issue
Using Text to Speech
Join Our Facebook Group!
1 min.
Subscriber Only Resources
Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Science World magazine.
HER INSPIRATION: Dellapina’s daughter Erin (center) passed away in 2019 from a rare blood vessel disorder that affects some people with Down syndrome.
COURTESY OF SPECS4US
Article Options
Presentation View
Special Specs Designer
Maria Dellapina creates eyeglass frames that better fit people with Down syndrome
FRAME DESIGNER: Maria Dellapina
Maria Dellapina found out her youngest child, Erin, needed glasses when she was 2 years old. However, Dellapina ran into difficulties finding frames that fit her daughter properly. When Erin was born, doctors diagnosed her with Down syndrome (see Understanding Down Syndrome). Like most people with the condition, the top of her nose— where the bridge of the glasses would rest—was lower than usual. Frames would constantly slip instead of staying put.
At the time, Dellapina was an optician. She performed vision tests, cut lenses, and fitted people for glasses. She had a thick catalogue of frames for customers. Dellapina looked through the entire thing—but she couldn’t find a single frame that would work for her daughter. So she decided to design her own and started the company Specs4Us, which creates eyeglass frames custom-made for people with Down syndrome. Dellapina spoke to Science World about how her labor of love became a successful business venture.
A BETTER FIT: Typical frames (left) often slip down. Dellapina’s design (right) stays put.
Why is it important for people to have properly fitting glasses?
When eyeglasses fit properly, the wearer naturally looks through the optical centers of the lenses when facing straight ahead. These spots on each curved lens bend light in just the right way to correct the person’s vision. If the optical centers aren’t in the right place, the eyes will start to turn toward them to see clearly. That may cause eye strain and headaches. For people with Down syndrome, the optical centers of traditional glasses become misplaced as the glasses slip down. As a result, the glasses create vision problems rather than correcting them.
What’s different about the design of frames for people with Down syndrome?
With regular glasses, the bridge is almost always at the top of the eye wires— the parts of the frame that hold the lenses. This design makes sense for people whose noses start near the upper part of their eyes, so the lenses hang down properly.
To accommodate the lower starting point of the nose for people with Down syndrome, I moved the bridge to the center of the eye wires. I lowered the placement of the temples, or arms that rest on the ears, as well. With this design, the lenses stay correctly positioned in relation to the wearer’s eyes.
Every cell in the human body contains DNA. Typically, this molecule that carries hereditary information is tightly packed into 23 pairs of chromosomes. People with Down syndrome have an additional copy of one chromosome. The extra genetic material can affect brain development and physical traits like a lower nasal bridge. These characteristics occur in people with Down syndrome to varying degrees; some have no noticeable signs. In the U.S., about one in every 700 babies is born with Down syndrome.
COURTESY OF WESSEX REG. GENETICS CENTRE/WELLCOME IMAGES
CHROMOSOME COUNT: People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome 21.
Did you face any obstacles when trying to get your company started?
When I first sent my designs to a frame manufacturer, they sent them back—redesigned to look like typical frames. I explained that my designs were what I wanted, and then they made my first prototypes, or preliminary models.
I had the same experience with another manufacturer. But after explaining the reasons behind my designs to the owner, he said, “I’m behind you 100 percent!” His reaction was rare, though. Many people told me, “There’s no market for this.” But I knew there was. People with Down syndrome are much more likely than the general population to have vision problems. In fact, 87 percent of children with the condition need glasses by preschool. I couldn’t understand why people in the industry didn’t see a need. But I never gave up. Now, my frames are sold in 28 countries.
When did you know your company was going to be a success?
There were two pivotal moments that helped me know I was on the right track. The first was when Erin tried on my first prototype and the frames didn’t slip. That’s when I knew I had a great idea.
The second was when I went to my first Down syndrome conference as a vendor in 2008. I sold all 26 frames I’d brought and left with a seven-page list of orders for more. Erin, who’d come with me, got to see firsthand people’s excitement for the product she inspired.
Today, my staff hears daily from families and optometrists about how our glasses have changed people’s lives. That’s the truest measure of our success.
RELATED CONTENT