WHEN IS A CHILD SUITABLE FOR LENSES ?
I often see older kids and teenagers for an eye test and there’s sometimes a question at the end-”when am I suitable for contact lenses?” or “Ben plays a lot of sport and his glasses really get in the way, is there any solution?”.
Does your child or teenager need to wear their glasses all the time? Do they wish that sometimes they didn’t have to? Most people can wear contact lenses these days, and that includes teens and children. Whether your child is mature enough for contacts is probably the most important question. Do they take responsibility for their own possessions or clothes. Do they tidy up after themselves (with prompting?!!)?
WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT FOR WEARING LENSES ?
There is no age limit at which your eye becomes suitable for contact lenses. In fact babies or young children are often fitted with contact lenses when born with such conditions as cataract or develop strabismus. For most of us, we were told that contact lenses were available when were were 18. But attitudes and contact lenses have changed. How you look after your contacts has changed too. Bottles and bottles of separate cleaning solutions are no longer required.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SHOW ?
These days most people are suitable for daily disposable contact lenses. This type of lens is used once and then thrown away. A study from the College of Optometry from Ohio State University has shown that these lenses are highly recommended for children and teenagers as they’re convenient, hygienic, and easy to handle. They also get used to washing their hands before inserting and removing them. This study showed that children perceive the same benefits from wearing contact lenses as adults do. They like not having to wear glasses all the time, especially if playing sport or during other activities.
MY DAUGHTER BEAMED FROM EAR TO EAR
Having fitted children as young as 8, I see now the benefits. One mum told me that her daughter just beamed from ear to ear wearing her new lenses as she went home from the practice, pointing out everything she could now see. Its lovely to have the freedom from glasses, even if its just temporary!