Contacts can really change the way you and your kids see… So kids and contact lenses…at what age is best for them to try them?
The simple (and yet, not so simple) answer … it depends. There isn’t an official age at which we recommend kids begin wearing contact lenses. It really depends on their maturity level. Some kids can start wearing them as early as 8 years old while others need to wait until they are teenagers. As a parent, you and your eye doctor will discuss your child’s capability of wearing and managing contact lenses, but let us provide you with some things to consider while making that decision.
Things to Consider Before Getting Your Child Contacts:
-Does your child keep his or her room clean and help out with other jobs around the home?
-Does your child have good grooming habits and personal hygiene?
-Does your child complete homework on time?
-Does your child do all of the above without you needing to remind him or her often?
If you answered yes to all of the above questions, your child may be a good candidate for contact lenses. Contact lenses are a medical device that sit directly on the eye. Good eye care hygiene with contacts is essential for maintaining good vision and eye health. If your child needs reminders about keeping up with good personal hygiene practices or other items listed above, they may not yet be ready.
Benefits of Contact Lenses
Improve self-esteem
Even though there are some really fun frame styles these days, some kids don’t like wearing them for several different reasons. Some kids feel they look different from other kids at school and don’t really like that, or some may just not like how they look in glasses. Switching out to contacts can help improve your child’s self-esteem, which in turn, can help him or her do better in school and in life in general.
Good For Active Kids
Contacts are great for kids who are active in sports and other activities. Glasses can get broken in physical sports, which is a major concern for kids and parents. Contact lenses eliminate that concern. Not only will you not have to worry about broken glasses, but contacts also have much better peripheral vision (they sit directly on the eye and cover more of the surface) allowing a more stable and consistent field of view.
Great Optics
Contact lenses offer great optics. In addition to your traditional soft contact lenses, there are hard gas permeable contact lenses (RGP) that offer very good optics and other specialty contacts, like Scleral lenses, that offer superior vision. Whichever method you choose for your child, you can be reassured you are getting the best in optics.
Growing Up Has It’s Challenges
Growing up already has it’s ups and downs; we don’t want your children to have to worry about their vision, too. If your child is wanting to try contacts, schedule to bring them into our office and let us see help you determine if he or she is a good candidate. We will work with you to help make that transition from glasses to contacts as smooth as possible! Keep in mind, however, that even if your child is a good candidate for contact lenses it is important to keep a good pair of glasses on hand. Your child will need to wear them periodically (usually in the evening) to give his or her eyes the occasional break from contacts.
Thanks for letting us serve you and your family!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.