Whilst there may be no minimum or recommended age for wearing contact lenses, it's still important to consider whether contacts are appropriate. Kids need to be mature enough to handle contacts in a way that keeps their eyes and vision healthy. The age at which they’re ready will vary from child to child. In addition to talking to your optometrist, here are some considerations to help determine whether your child is ready for contact lenses.
Important questions about contacts for children
Is your child responsible? Does he do his homework without being asked? Is she able to keep her room clean and liveable? Do you feel comfortable that the family pet will be fed without your reminders? Your child will need to be responsible for careful and regular upkeep of his contact lenses to protect them and his eyes.
Why does your child want contacts?
Is it a functional issue where he’s having trouble seeing? Or is it a concern about appearance? If it’s the latter, you may want to talk to your child about how he feels and about peer pressure at school. Let her open up about why she wants to get contact lenses.
What does your optometrist think?
Ask your optometrist about contact lenses for your kids based on her knowledge of their current and past eye health. She can help illuminate important pros and cons as well as showing them how to put on contacts.
Vampire contact lenses, coloured contact lenses and other novelty contacts
If your child wants red or blue contact lenses to look cool, there are several things you should know:
- If you buy contact lenses online, many on the Internet are not approved by local regulatory authorities.
- Getting contacts without your optometrist’s prescription and guidance can lead to serious infections and vision problems.
- Decorative lenses and other contacts that aren’t properly fitted can affect normal eyesight and scratch your corneas.
See your optometrist and avoid cheap contact lenses
Your child’s eyesight is precious. While it might be cool to change your eye colour, you should weigh the pros and cons with your child. Finally, the most important thing when it comes to contacts for kids is to consult your optometrist.
Some benefits of contact lenses
Prescription contacts can often make our lives a lot easier. While they require responsible care, they can also:
- Give you a wider range of vision
- Enhance your sports performance and experience
- Offer a better visual experience when prescribed correctly
Remember, healthy eyes mean good vision. Talk to your optometrist whenever you consider wearing contact lenses or other decisions about your vision.