Often it is children who bring up the question about contact lenses. As they grow older they tend to express more of an interest as their peers may make the transition from glasses to contacts.
But are contacts safe for children? At what age are they recommended?
Rather than the age of the child, it is more important to consider if they are mature enough to handle the responsibility of caring for contacts.
At What Age Do Most Children Start Wearing Contacts
Many children start to wear contacts before the age of 18. There is no set age, but children who are 12 years old and older are usually able to handle the responsibility of managing contact lenses.
Anatomically, children can wear contacts at a very young age. Some infants even are fitted for contacts due to congenital cataracts.
How Do I Know my Child is Responsible Enough to Handle Contacts
You may want to consider if your child does well handling other responsibilities that are age appropriate. Consider:
- Does your child clean their room?
- Do they brush their teeth and shower without a reminder?
- Are they able to handle homework successfully?
- Do they participate in household chores?
If the answer is yes, then they may well be able to manage the responsibility of contact lenses.
Does Your Child Play Sports
If your child plays sports they likely will be more inclined to want to switch to contact lenses. Glasses limit participation in many sports. In addition, glasses are likely to break when playing certain contact sports.
As an added benefit, contacts give the child full peripheral vision which may actually improve performance. They do not, however, provide protection of the eyes from injury, as a pair of prescription sports goggles would do.
Can Contacts Improve Self-Esteem
It is not uncommon for children to feel self-conscious about their glasses. Contacts do help some children feel a sense of improved confidence.
Some younger children especially can be bullied due to wearing glasses. They may become a target of teasing so may be inclined to wanting to switch to contacts.
The good news is glasses are always still an option. Children can wear glasses some days, and contacts on other days. The decision to wear contacts is not permanent. It is a good way to give you child options so they can decide what they would like to do each day.
Where Can I Find a Pediatric Ophthalmologist in NJ ?
Looking for a pediatric eye doctor near me? Look no further!
At Pediatric Eye Associates we have two experienced and exceptional pediatric ophthalmologists; Amy Lambert MD and Rachel Bloom MD. Both are board certified pediatric ophthalmologists, providing exceptional care with compassion and patience.
Our ophthalmologists achieve results not just because of our medical expertise but also because of our attitude and patience with the children and families we serve.
Every day we work to achieve our motto, “to provide the highest quality eye care for children in a setting that is comfortable and reassuring”.
If you think your child is in need of pediatric eye care, then contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and your child soon!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
