Is Your Child Ready for Contact Lenses?

Despite all the wonderful styles available, wearing glasses can encumber young athletes as well as make some children feel self-conscious socially.

In such cases, contact lenses may be an optimal solution. But are they right for your child? That depends on a few things. Age is important since, in general, most children don’t receive a prescription for contact lenses until they’re 12. Then again, some teenagers are less responsible than some 8-year-olds, so it depends on the child, not just their age.

The team at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists offers some things to consider when you’re deciding whether contact lenses are a good idea for your child:

Is your child responsible?

While contact lenses have many benefits, they’re not risk-free. If not cared for and worn properly, contact lenses can cause infection and other eye complications. They can be a great alternative to glasses if your child doesn’t want to wear eyeglasses, but they must be worn and cared for as the eye doctor directs. 

A good way to determine if your child is responsible enough to wear contact lenses is to evaluate how reliable they are in other areas of their life. Do they put their dishes away? Do they make their bed? Do they do their homework and household chores without being prodded? Do they brush their teeth twice a day without being asked to do so? Answering yes here could indicate that your child is responsible enough for contact lenses.

Does your child have good hygiene practices?

It’s important to wash your hands before handling contact lenses. If your child washes their hands frequently throughout the day, it’s a good sign that they’ll be careful around their contact lenses. 

Even if they don’t wash frequently, they need to understand that they will need to wash their hands thoroughly before handling their contact lenses. Plus, they will need to dry their hands thoroughly with a lint-free towel. 

Does your child play sports?

Playing sports is a big reason why both children and adults choose to wear contact lenses. Contact lenses don’t break or fall off. Plus, they provide your child with better peripheral vision. They also don’t fog up like glasses do, improving your child’s ability to see and play well.

Does your child dislike wearing glasses?

If your child doesn’t like wearing glasses, chances are they won’t wear them as frequently as they should. Contact lenses may make your child feel more confident and less self-conscious of their appearance than eyeglasses do. 

Does your child have allergies?

If your child has allergies, wearing contacts may not be a good option for them. Contact lenses can exacerbate the itchy, watery redness that kids with allergies experience.

For more information on contact lenses for your child, call ABC Children’s Eye Specialists to discuss your child’s readiness or to get fitted and examined for a prescription. You can also send the team a message here on their website.