Are contact lenses suitable for young people?
According to the British Contact Lens Association, contact lenses have a very high satisfaction rate among young wearers; as high as 97% among 8 to 12-year olds and 99% among 13 to 17-year olds.
Why contact lenses are a great choice for children and teens:
- Freedom to be active – youngsters can run around, take part in sport and play, without the worry of glasses fogging up, falling off or breaking.
- Improved self-esteem – contact lenses can change how a young person feels about their appearance and improve their confidence socially.
- All-round vision – greater peripheral vision enables things to be spotted out of the corner of the eye, helping to improve performance in sport and keep young drivers safe.
- Full time vision correction – often glasses are forgotten or not worn at school which may impact on learning and performance. Especially for children with a lazy eye, squint or astigmatism (eye curved like a rugby ball) contact lenses can be an ideal correction option.
- Replaceable – contact lenses are easier and cheaper to replace than lost or broken glasses, or to frequently update with changing prescriptions.
- Many lenses provide added protection from ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
Is my child or teen ready for contact lenses?
There’s no minimum or maximum age for wearing contact lenses. The most important consideration is whether they are mature and motivated enough to wear and care for their lenses properly. Although wearing contact lenses involves a little more effort than wearing glasses, children can learn how to handle contact lenses easily. One study found that more than eight out of ten children and teenagers found it easy to clean and care for their lenses after three months of wearing them [1]. As a parent, you are the best judge of your child’s level of responsibility, however our contact lens practitioners can help you decide if contact lenses are right for your child and which is the most suitable lens for their needs.
Choosing the right lens
Daily disposables give young wearers maximum freedom. They are ideal for children or teenagers who don’t want to spend time cleaning their lenses, or just want to use them for sport and special occasions. You simply pop them on in the morning after washing your hands, then throw them away after each wear.
Reusable contact lenses are great for responsible young people who want to wear them most days, as they are most cost effective in the long term. They require quick nightly cleaning – ready for use the next day.
Whatever lens you and your child opt for, our Contact Lens Practitioners will ensure you are both confident about putting in, taking out, replacing and cleaning lenses.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MISIGHT® CONTACT LENSES FOR MYOPIA CONTROL IN YOUNGSTERS
[1] Walline JJ et al CLIP Study group. Contact lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study: chair time and ocular health. Optom and Vis Sci 2007; 84:896-902.
