Millions of people enjoy the benefits of contact lenses, but only a small proportion are children — and yet many could benefit from wearing them under the guidance of an optician. If your child is entering their teenage years and already wears glasses, there’s a good chance they’ll ask you: “Can I wear contact lenses?”
Based on the most common questions from children who wear contact lenses, we’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the decision.
Should you let your child wear contact lenses?
It’s perfectly understandable to have reservations about whether your child should wear contact lenses. Your biggest concern might be that they won’t look after them properly and could end up with discomfort or an eye infection. Your child’s ability to care for their lenses is the most important thing to consider.
There are several good reasons why you might consider letting your child wear contact lenses.
- Some children feel self-conscious wearing glasses; contact lenses can help them build confidence, particularly if they have a strong prescription.
- Contact lenses are better suited to some contact sports, such as football or rugby, where glasses are likely to fall off or get damaged.
- Contact lenses can correct vision consistently for children who have poor vision in one eye or a squint. It’s all too easy to take glasses off and leave them somewhere, whereas it’s less likely a child will remove their lenses — which can help reduce the risk of a lazy eye developing. You should speak to your optician first, however.
Introducing your child to contact lenses
A question parents often ask is whether children need to be a certain age before they can start wearing contact lenses. It all depends on how mature they are and whether they’re capable of looking after their lenses.
There’s no specific age limit, but if your child is under 16 you will need to give your consent for them to wear lenses. Your optician can also advise on whether contact lenses are suitable for your child.
Which contact lenses are best?
Daily disposables are the most popular and hassle-free option. With no need to clean and store them after each use, daily disposable contact lenses tend to be more hygienic and convenient. Other options include monthly and fortnightly toric lenses, but the right lens will depend on your child’s prescription and suitability.
If your child wears fortnightly or monthly contact lenses, they’ll need to learn how to clean and store them properly. Children who wear contact lenses are typically asked to visit their optician every six months or less to ensure they remain comfortable and happy with their lenses.
Looking after contact lenses
If your child wears contact lenses, make sure they understand how important it is to keep them hygienic.
Rules to follow:
- Never swap lenses with anyone else or move them from one eye to the other.
- Never use saliva or water to wet or clean lenses.
- Never wear lenses for longer than recommended.
- Always use the solution recommended by your optician.
- Never wear contact lenses for swimming.
- Wash and dry hands before and after putting lenses in or taking them out.