Wow, the summer is whizzing by! It’s hard to believe that it is almost September. Especially, if you have a little person in your life that is heading back to school! For some parents and children, September can be an emotional time. With the start of school comes so many changes in such a short span of time. One change that your child might be looking forward to is making the switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses. But when exactly can a child wear contact lenses? Well, our blog article this week is here to help you answer this question!
All contact lens wearers have had to make the initial jump from glasses to contacts at some point in their life. People get contact lenses for many different reasons and at many different ages. For parents of a child who wears glasses, it can be hard to determine when the best time to introduce contact lenses is. So at what age should a child wear contact lenses? Truth is, there is really no specific age or rule to go by. Rather, individual factors that should be taken into consideration.
When Should A Child Wear Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are a medical device. Because of this, there are certain things parents need to consider when getting lenses for their child. There are key factors that parents should consider before deciding at what age should their child wear contact lenses. Read on to learn more!
Responsibility: Is Your Child Responsible Enough To Wear Contacts
The first thing parents should evaluate is how responsible your child can be. All contact lenses have different wear times and wear schedules that should be followed in order to maintain optimum eye health. Sleeping in, over-wearing or not replacing a contact lens when recommended can cause problems with vision and ocular health.
Hygiene: Does Your Child Practice Good Hygiene?
Hygiene is another huge factor that parents should also consider when determining if it’s a good time to introduce contact lenses to a child. It is very important to have and practice good hygiene habits when wearing contacts. Washing and keeping hands clean, as well as practicing proper care and storage of lenses will help promote good vision and eye health. Failing to do this can potentially result in an unwanted bacterial or viral eye infection.
Motivation: Why Does Your Child Want to Wear Contact Lenses?
Motivation is another factor that parents should consider before deciding at what age should their child wear contact lenses. Is your child motivated to wear contacts? If your child is on the fence about wearing contacts, sometimes it is best not to push them into wearing lenses until they are ready to. If your child is really eager to get lenses, what is their motivation? Is your child active in sports or do they want contacts for cosmetic reasons? Determining what the motivating factor is will help your eye care professional determine which type of lens might work best for your child.
We feel that daily contacts lenses are one of the best lens options to start most children in. Daily contacts are less likely to be missused as well as they are better for hygiene and eye health!
If you feel that your child is ready to wear contact lenses or have questions about contacts, feel free to contact us. Your child will need an up to date eye exam before they can be fit with contact lenses. To book an exam with one of our optometrists, please call (403)255-2826 or book an appointment online, directly into our appointment agenda in real time!
Article was written by Trina Vanaalst, licensed optician and registered contact lens practitioner