Contacts for Kids?

Parents, have you been wondering at what age your child could start wearing contact lenses? There is no set age, but much will depend on how responsible your child is, along with how much parental support is needed and available. Children as young as 8 years old may do well with contacts, while some teens may still not be ready to handle the responsibility. Your best source of advice will be your doctor at Atlantic Eye, but let’s take a look at some important guidelines.

What are some potential benefits?

• Potentially sharper vision and improved depth perception, helpful for sports
• Increased side (peripheral) vision, important for driving
• Improved self-esteem over wearing eyeglasses

While there may be potential benefits, parents should consider whether the child is ready for the added responsibility. To avoid eye infections or other damage, your child will need to follow proper contact lens hygiene. Some basic rules include:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling lenses.
• Only clean your contact lenses with products that are advised by your eye care provider; NEVER tap water or saliva (we’ve seen it all)!
• Don’t wear lenses for longer than prescribed, and never sleep in lenses unless they are specifically approved for nighttime use.
• Never wear someone else’s lenses.
• Always have a prescription for any lens you wear. This includes lenses for cosmetic reasons.
• Never put contact lenses into a red or irritated eye.
• Remove lenses if your eyes are itching, burning, red, or irritated, and promptly call your Atlantic Eye doctor.

When thinking about contact lenses, your child’s abilities and maturity level must be taken into account. The doctors at Atlantic Eye will help you determine if and when your child can safely try contact lenses. With Halloween coming up next month, it’s especially important to be aware that non-prescription cosmetic contact lenses present serious risks for anyone’s eyes.
For more on this, visit our previous blog at https://atlanticeye.com/2023/10/for-contact-lens-safety-ditch-the-risks/.