You want to wear contact lenses but, like many people, you are wondering whether there is a minimum or recommended age to start. Read on for information and advice, and get in touch with our customer care team if you have any further questions.
What age can I start wearing contact lenses?
Contact lenses are a medical device, which is why it is important to develop good habits from the very beginning. Speak to your optician, who will be able to advise you on the most suitable lenses for you. Ask as many questions as you need to get a full picture. And make sure to schedule regular visits to your optician so they can check over time whether your prescription needs updating.
Can children wear contact lenses?
Contact lenses are a medical product, and it is important to keep this in mind. It may be easier to accept that contact lenses are appropriate for your child if they are being used to correct a specific vision problem. Of course, extra care and caution is required with children. It is essential to consult an optician if you want your child to wear contact lenses instead of glasses. The specialist will likely explain that contact lenses are an excellent option for correcting well-known conditions such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Can contact lenses be worn before the age of 8?
Your optician may recommend contact lenses for your child if they identify a significant eye condition and believe lenses can help correct it. In these cases, glasses may not provide as much benefit. Contact lenses are also very practical when the visual defect is more pronounced in one eye than the other.
Iris abnormalities, congenital cataracts, unilateral myopia, unilateral astigmatism and other vision problems can all lead opticians to prescribe lenses for young children. Ask your optician for advice on the best solution for your child.
What type of lenses should my child wear?
Rigid gas-permeable lenses are often a good option for children because they are easy to handle.
Daily disposable contact lenses can also be an excellent solution for children and teenagers. It is important to teach them how to care for their lenses and how to insert and remove them. See our guide on how to put in and take out contact lenses for a simple step-by-step overview.
However, everything depends on your child’s individual situation. Always consult your optician to make the right choice.
What are the advantages of contact lenses over glasses for my child?
Your child will enjoy several benefits from wearing contact lenses.
1. Better comfort and a wider field of vision
Contact lenses offer your child a better field of vision than traditional glasses because the lenses move with the eyes. They also avoid the discomfort of frames pressing on the nose, ears and temples. Your child’s overall comfort will improve.
They will also avoid the frustration of glasses fogging up, as contact lenses are moistened by the eye’s own tear fluid.
2. Greater freedom
Your child may be surprised to discover a new sense of freedom. Contact lenses allow them to enjoy sports and active pursuits with much greater ease. They will no longer worry about their glasses falling off, and can focus fully on the activity at hand.
3. Peace of mind for you
You can be confident that your child will not remove their lenses as easily as they might take off glasses. Their eyes remain protected by the optician’s prescribed correction even in your absence. Above all, they will have no difficulty seeing the board at school or reading a book.
4. Wellbeing and confidence
Contact lenses can help your child feel better both physically and mentally. They will no longer worry about being teased about their glasses frames — or simply about wearing glasses at all. No one will know they are wearing vision correction when they have contact lenses in.
Are there special precautions I should take with my child’s contact lenses?
It is right to be careful — though the same precautions apply equally to adults. Your optician will advise you on the rules to follow for a safe and comfortable experience. Start with the guidelines below and get in touch with our Customer Service team for further information:
- Always remove your child’s lenses before they shower or go swimming. See our guide on how to insert and remove contact lenses to help establish a simple, easy routine.
- Order your child’s contact lenses strictly in accordance with their optician’s prescription. Pay attention to the brand and other parameters such as lens type. Use our guide on how to read your prescription for more information, and get in touch with our Customer Service team to place your order.
- Replace their lenses according to their optician’s or ophthalmologist’s instructions.
- Follow the lens care process as advised by their eye care professional and supplier.
- Use the lens care products recommended by their trusted optician.
- Teach your child the lens care instructions so they gradually get used to them and learn to manage them independently. Check our FAQ section and contact our Customer Service team for any queries.
Can a teenager under 16 wear contact lenses from leading brands?
Contact lenses are a great option for your teenage child, but it is important they follow the proper precautions from the start. Like younger children, teenagers will benefit from wearing contact lenses. Consult an optician so they receive appropriate care. Your specialist will help you choose the best lenses for your child. On our website you can find low prices on top contact lens brands.
Can I start wearing contact lenses as an adult for the first time?
Absolutely. There is no recommended minimum or maximum age for wearing contact lenses. For example, from around the age of 40, presbyopia can develop — difficulty seeing at close range. If you are presbyopic, speak to your optician about multifocal contact lenses, also known as progressive lenses.
Everyone’s situation is different, and specialist recommendations are tailored to each individual. It is therefore essential to consult your optician if you want to wear contact lenses. Get a prescription for your correction and get in touch with us if you need help placing your order. You can shop from a wide range of lenses at competitive prices. If you would prefer to familiarise yourself with our site first, check out our guide on how to read your prescription and order directly. Our site has been built with our customers’ needs in mind, drawing on years of feedback. Ordering is simple, and you will benefit from low prices on the best brands.