How Do I Know if My Child is Ready to Wear Contact Lenses?…
Have you ever wondered about fitting your child in contact lenses, but are unsure if he or she is ready, or if it is safe? The answer might surprise you!
According to a recent study, children 8-11 years old typically have no trouble handling, inserting and removing daily disposable contact lenses, even without the help of their parents. Learning to insert and remove the lenses may take some time and dedication from both you and your child’s eye care professional s, but with patience and good instruction this process can be faster and easier than expected!
One of the most important considerations for deciding if your child is ready to wear contacts is their overall personal hygiene and dedication to their responsibilities. Maintaining overall eye health with contact lens use depends on regular, thorough cleaning of the lens, and proper storage and handling techniques. Responsible children with good hygiene habits tend to have little issue with this element of contact lens wear, and would be great candidates to try contacts! If your child still struggles with these areas, waiting awhile to fit him or her with contacts may make the process easier for you and your child.
In fact, children can be great candidates for contact lens wear! Most children are more compliant than teenage or adult wearers, because that have not yet formed bad handling and wearing habits, such as over-wearing their contact lenses or using the incorrect solution. Also, children tend to suffer from dry eye syndrome less frequently than adults, so comfort is less of a problem for them.
Contact lenses can also help your child build their confidence, and can even improve their performance in physical activities. Children who are tired of wearing glasses, or have a high prescription, may feel more confident at school and while socializing with contact lens use. Also, contact lenses remain stable on a child’s eye while he or she is running or being active, which can help improve his or her sports performance. And if you are the parent who is constantly replacing your child’s glasses due to damage or loss, you can rest easy knowing contact lenses are another option for your child!
The best way to determine your child’s readiness to wear contacts is considering these facts, and weighing the pros and cons of your particular situation. Your eye care professional would be happy to discuss fitting your child in contact lenses further, and help you decide what the best choice for you and your child may be!
