Can Kids Wear Contacts?

If the eye doctor tells you that your child needs corrective lenses, your first thought is probably that he or she will wear eyeglasses. In many cases, especially for very young children, glasses are the most practical solution. For some kids, though, contact lenses can have advantages. Is there a right age for contacts, and if so, what is it?

There’s not really a minimum age for contacts. In fact, some infants wear contacts to correct congenital issues. By the time children are about 8-11 years old, most of them can handle wearing and caring for contacts on their own.

So, what are the benefits of contacts for kids? Wearing contact lenses can boost self-esteem for children who don’t like the way they look in glasses. Contacts also offer many advantages for kids who play sports. They offer an unobstructed field of view, they don’t get fogged up or spattered like glasses can, and they won’t break and cause an eye injury, as eyeglasses will, if the child takes a hard hit. What’s more, contact lenses are more compatible with safety equipment than eyeglasses are, and they don’t cause visual disturbances the way eyeglasses can when they bounce around or slide down the nose. When it comes to vision, there’s some evidence to suggest that contact lenses may even slow the progression of nearsightedness.

Whether or not contact lenses are right for your child depends largely on your child. Consider your child’s personality, and ask yourself if he or she is responsible enough for contacts. Contact lenses can be a little intimidating, and they require cleaning and maintenance. Does your child have good personal hygiene, and keep his or her room neat? Is he or she responsible about doing homework and household chores? A child who is not good about keeping up with current responsibilities may not be a good candidate for contact lenses. Another question to ask yourself is whether or not your child is motivated to have contacts. It’s important to refrain from pushing contact lenses on your child, especially by focusing on the way people look with glasses. If wearing contacts is more your idea than your child’s, it’s probably not a good choice right now.

The first step toward determining whether or not your child needs contact lenses or glasses is to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. If you’re looking for an ophthalmologist or optometrist in Derry, Londonderry or Windham, Spindel Eye Associates is here for you. Celebrating thirty-five years of eye care, we proudly provide our patients with personalized eye care, using top of the line technology. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 603.421.6536 or contact us through our website.