How old does my child have to be to wear contact lenses?

Many teenagers and young people find it difficult to choose between wearing glasses or contact lenses on their way to adulthood. This often not always easy choice means that they are on their way to becoming an adult with all that comes with it.

But this immediately raises the question that occupies many of us: how old do you have to be to start wearing contact lenses when you have problems with your field of vision?

It may be surprising to hear that even young children can easily tolerate contact lenses in their eyes once they have had the necessary training and can be responsible for the maintenance of their lenses.

Children and wearing contact lenses

In the past, contact lenses were often reserved for young teenagers and young adults. However, it is also the case that children of a younger age generally have no problems wearing contact lenses, provided that their parents and, of course, the doctor believe that they can be considered ready to take responsibility for wearing contact lenses.

For example, there is a particular study that researched children between the ages of 8 and 11 when wearing daily disposable lenses. According to this specific study, about 9 out of 10 children had little or no significant problems wearing daily disposable lenses for a period of three months.

These types of lenses are easier for children because the lenses do not need to be cleaned, treated for infections or stored.

A clear reason why children do not get contact lenses is the factor of responsibility.

It is now a known factor that children can certainly wear contact lenses, and there are many reasons why young people can also use this method to improve their poor field of vision, but it is rarely the case that contact lenses are prescribed for children who suffer from myopia.

One of the most frequently cited reasons for not prescribing contact lenses to children is the problem that occurs when maintaining the lenses.

But, hooray!, with lenses that you can replace daily, you avoid that risk, and it makes it possible for children from a young age to have the chance to use contact lenses with all the associated comfort.

Motor skills

Another reason why children generally do not use contact lenses is the issue of motor skills. It is indeed the case that young children may not yet have the right sensitivity in their fingers to insert a contact lens into the eye.

Another issue is that many children are afraid to put a foreign object in their eyes.

However, depending on the level of maturity of the child in question, young people can also be trained to insert contact lenses into their eyes, then remove them correctly and also maintain them appropriately.

Many children certainly still need the help of their parents, and it is therefore important that the father and/or mother assist their child in the process of researching the right type of lenses, inserting and removing them, and maintaining the lenses appropriately.

What are the benefits of wearing contact lenses?

Wearing contact lenses can have many advantages for children compared to wearing glasses. One of the most obvious advantages is, of course, avoiding having to wear glasses.

Many children are ashamed when they have to put glasses on their nose, and wearing contact lenses has the potential to avoid this possible negative experience and to ensure that children who suffer from their eyesight can still boost their self-confidence.

The use of contact lenses can also lead to better vision than glasses and also result in increased peripheral vision.

Many of our modern children and young people are very active when it comes to sports, gymnastics and other exercise. If they have to wear glasses, this can be an obstacle to performing well. Wearing contact lenses can certainly be useful in all these physical activities and give the child the feeling of performing better in this activity.

All reasons that may move you to have your child wear contact lenses with the right instruction and maintenance.

What are the disadvantages of wearing contact lenses?

Unfortunately, there is also a disadvantage to wearing contact lenses for young people, and that is the increasing cost that goes with it. The purchase of glasses is a one-time purchase where you also know exactly what you are spending, provided that the glasses are not damaged or need to be replaced.

Choosing contact lenses also means the option that you have to include a monthly cost. Young children are more likely to be advised to use disposable lenses, because this is the most hygienic way of working. A negative side effect is, unfortunately, that these lenses are also among the most expensive types of lenses.

Another possible disadvantage of children wearing contact lenses is that there is a risk of developing an infection or another eye problem if the contact lenses are not cleaned properly.

It is essential to teach your child how to maintain the lenses correctly if you want to be sure that the child's vision will be guaranteed. It is also essential that you teach your child not to play with the lenses or lend them to others, and to only clean them with the correct liquids.

It is also important that you teach your child to remove their lenses while swimming or when showering. If you teach your child these methods at a young age, it will contribute, even when it comes to a mature teenager or an adult; they will know how to use these correct techniques for maintaining and wearing contact lenses.

If your child indicates that there is even the slightest discomfort or the beginning of an infection when wearing the lenses, then it is of the utmost importance that you remove the lenses immediately, that you switch back to wearing glasses and that you, of course, take your child to the doctor to see what exactly could be wrong.

What type of contact lenses should you choose for your child?

If, in consultation with your child, you are thinking of having them wear contact lenses, then you should always start with a visit to your doctor, who can give you the necessary tips.

Some doctors may prefer to wait to have your child with vision problems wear contact lenses until they are a little older.

However, there is an increasing tendency to allow children to start wearing contact lenses from the age of eight. In any case, discuss with your doctor in advance what the possibilities are for using contact lenses for your child.

If you jointly come to the conclusion that soft contact lenses are the best option, then you should certainly consider switching to daily disposable lenses because they are easier to maintain the lenses in any case.

You should certainly not choose lenses that have not been prescribed by the doctor for your child. It is very important to teach children that lenses are still medical devices and that they must be treated with the necessary care and respect.

If you don't know when your child can start wearing contact lenses, then there is only one good solution. The answer is a combination of what you think and feel yourself, and the opinion of your professional doctor. Talk to him or her to jointly find out which type of lenses is best suited for your child, whom he ultimately knows best.