Can Children Wear Contact Lenses? Everything You Should Know

Yes, children can wear contact lenses. With proper hygiene, responsibility, and guidance from an eye care professional, children as young as 8 can safely wear and care for contact lenses. Parental involvement is also important to ensure proper care and usage.

My son was diagnosed with astigmatism when he was only 10. He was suffering from blurred vision. I knew his vision needed correction, but the idea of contact lenses never crossed my mind. Though he had been wearing glasses for a couple of years, gradually, he became more active in sports and social activities. At that time, the drawbacks of glasses became more apparent. Like many parents, I was also concerned about whether contact lens was a safe and practical option for a child his age. I did some research and consulted with eye care professionals. 

In this blog, I’ll share a wealth of information that I have gathered. This guide aims to share my journey and the insights I gained to help you make an informed decision if you’re considering contact lenses for your child.

Can Children Wear Contact Lenses?

Absolutely, children can wear contact lenses. However, it’s not just about age but also maturity, hygiene habits, and lifestyle. It also depends on kids’ willingness to be responsible for lens care. My son was facing inconvenience with glasses during soccer and swimming, which led me to explore the option of contact lenses seriously. After thorough research and consultation, I discovered that many children successfully wear contact lenses. For some, they are even recommended by eye care professionals for specific vision problems.

Minimum Age for Use Contact Lenses?

There isn’t a strict minimum age for contact lenses. Wearing a lens depends on the child’s readiness. Many eye care professionals suggest starting around age 8. At this age, children are typically mature enough to care properly for their lenses. My son’s eye doctor emphasized the importance of assessing his readiness based on his daily hygiene routines and ability to follow instructions. Consider whether your child can learn how to clean their contacts, put them in and take them out on a regular basis, and handle contacts even when they’re tired.

Benefits of Contact Lenses for Children

When considering contact lenses for my son, I discovered several benefits that could significantly impact a child’s daily life and confidence, and I want to share them with you:

Improved Vision Quality

The significant benefit of contact lenses is that they provide a wider field of vision compared to glasses. This can be crucial for children as they are always involved in sports and other physical activities. My son experienced a significant improvement in his peripheral vision. Improvement of his peripheral vision made a big difference in his soccer performance.

Enhanced Self-Esteem

In social settings, wearing glasses can sometimes affect a kid’s self-esteem. When my son started to wear lenses, it made him more confident. Fortunately, wearing lenses positively impacted his interactions with his friends.

Convenience in Activities

The best part about contact lenses is that they don’t fog up or get splattered by rain. They are a practical choice for active children. You can choose lenses for your kids, and they no longer have to deal with glasses slipping off their noses or getting in the way during play

Better Eye Health

Modern contact lenses are designed to allow more oxygen to reach the eye. They provide better eye health compared to older lens models. This was a reassuring factor for me as a parent, knowing that his eyes would remain healthy.

Safety Considerations and Concerns about Contact Lens

Hygiene and Handling

While wearing contacts, maintaining hygiene is essential to avoid infections. I fixed a strict routine for my son, cleaning and handling his lenses. This included washing hands thoroughly before touching the lenses and using the appropriate solutions for cleaning and storage.

Supervision and Responsibility

Initially, young children need supervision until they develop good habits. You can monitor your kids’ lens care routine closely for the first few months, ensuring they follow every step diligently. As they grow more confident, they can take over the responsibility entirely.

Eye Health Monitoring

Regular check-ups with eye care specialists are essential to ensure the lenses fit well and don’t damage the eyes. I scheduled routine visits every six months to monitor my son’s eye health and adjust the prescription as needed.

Allergies and Sensitivities

Some children might have allergic reactions to contact lens solutions or materials. So, it’s essential to test different types of lenses and solutions to find the right fit. You can go through a few different options before finding the most comfortable and suitable lenses.

Factors to Discuss With Your Eye Doctor

Child’s Readiness

Assess if your child is mature enough to handle the responsibilities of contact lenses. Your eye doctor may conduct a brief interview with your kids to measure their understanding of lens care and their readiness to take on the responsibility.

Eye Health

Ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and suitable for contact lenses. This includes checking for any conditions that might contraindicate lens use, such as severe dry eye or allergic conjunctivitis.

Type of Lenses

There are different types of lenses available, such as daily disposable lenses, reusable contact lenses, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses. Some patients also use RGP lenses. If your kids can’t wear soft contact lenses because of their high astigmatism, then RGP lenses may work great for them.

Lifestyle and Activities

Consider how contact lenses will fit into your child’s lifestyle. For my son, the ability to participate in sports without the hindrance of glasses was a significant advantage.

Cost

Understand the cost implications, including ongoing expenses for lenses and solutions. This helped me budget effectively and I could get prepared for the financial commitment.

Alternatives to Contact Lenses

If contact lenses don’t seem like the right fit for your child, there are several alternatives to consider:

Glasses

Glasses are the most straightforward and safest option. They are available in various styles that can be both functional and fashionable. Ensure your child is comfortable with their glasses, and consider options like sports goggles for physical activities.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

These are specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. They are suitable for older children and can correct vision during the day without lenses. I discussed this option with my son’s eye doctor but decided it wasn’t the best fit for my son’s needs.

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery is not typically recommended for children. This option is open for older teens nearing adulthood. It’s important to consult thoroughly with an eye care professional before considering this route.

Common Concerns and Myths

Myth: Children can’t put in and take out contact lens Truth: According to research an 8-year-old child can easily wear a contact lens. Children can learn to insert and remove their contacts quite easily if given the right instructions. One recent research found that it takes about 30 minutes to teach a child to do this. It is approximately the same amount of time an adult needs to learn.  Myth: Kids don’t need glasses if they have contacts Truth: Kids shouldn’t rely on their contact lenses entirely, just like adults. In certain situations, such as when there is an eye injury or infection, contact lenses are not an option. It’s also important to keep a pair of glasses with your child’s current prescription on hand at all times because they shouldn’t wear contacts for longer than 12 hours a day. Myth: Contact lenses are too expensive Truth: Over time, your child’s contact lenses might end up costing no more than their glasses. This is due to the fact that, ordering new contacts that match their current prescription makes it simple to adjust any changes to their prescription. But with glasses, that isn’t the case. Every time their prescription is updated, you would need to order a new pair of lenses. Furthermore, when children are handling glasses, they are more likely to break or get damaged, requiring additional costs for replacements or repairs. Myth: Fitting children with soft lenses will make them more myopic Truth: Soft lenses may accelerate the progression of myopia, according to certain research, particularly in younger and low-Dk contact lens wearers. Axial elongation and myopia progression have not changed significantly in two long-term, randomized clinical trials that compared wearers of low-Dk soft contact lenses with those who wear spectacles. Children’s eyes do not grow larger or become more myopic over an extended period of time wearing soft contact lenses. Myth: Kids suffer from more complications wearing contact lens than adults Truth: It’s a myth that kids suffer more complications wearing contact lenses than adults. Kids who wear contact lenses do not experience a higher rate of contact lens-related complications than adults, such as eye infections. There is very little risk of a problem resulting from the use of contact lenses if the child and their parents stick to the hygiene instructions and the prescribed wearing and replacement schedule provided by their eye doctor.

Wearing Contact Lenses for Kids: Safety Tips

• Always ensure that your child washes their hands with soap and water before handling contact lenses. 
• Follow strictly the prescribed replacement schedule for contact lenses.

• Use only the recommended cleaning and storage solutions for the lenses. Avoid using saliva or water, as these can create harmful bacteria to the lenses.
• Avoid sleeping with contact lenses on.
• Schedule regular check-ups with an eye care professional to monitor your child’s eye health. 
• Ensure that the lenses fit correctly and provide correct vision correction.
• Change the lens case every three months or as recommended by your eye care provider. 
• Clean the case regularly with the recommended solution and allow it to air dry.
• Teach your kids how to insert and remove contact lenses properly. 
• Ensure your child removes their contact lenses before swimming or showering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Can children wear contact lenses? You’ve already got the answer. With proper care and supervision, contact lenses can be a safe and effective option for children. It gives them a clear vision and greater freedom. If you’re considering contact lenses for your child, I hope this guide has provided the insight you need to make an informed decision. Remember, All children are unique, so what suits one might not suit another. Prioritize your child’s eye health and comfort. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice to navigate this decision confidently.