Glasses can slip off during soccer practice, get lost at the bottom of a backpack or clash with your kid’s new style—just a few reasons your teen or tween might be asking if they can pleeeeease get contacts. But is your child mature enough for that step?
“It’s important to remember that contact lenses are medical devices, and they should be used responsibly,” says Jon Jimenez, O.D., an optometrist at Henry Ford Health. Here’s what to know if you’re considering contacts for your kid.
Good Candidates for Contacts
First, the bad news for hopeful eyes: Contacts aren’t for everyone. Some people have vision problems that go beyond just needing glasses. “Patients who have a very irregular prescription or high amounts of astigmatism might not be good candidates,” Dr. Jimenez says.
Astigmatism is a common condition that occurs when the eye’s cornea is curved irregularly, causing blurry vision. For patients with trickier prescriptions, it can be harder to find contacts that fit comfortably and correct their vision adequately.
Yet most young people who wear glasses for nearsightedness or farsightedness can comfortably wear contact lenses. Contacts can be a great option for active kids whose glasses get in the way during sports or activities. And of course, they’re also appealing to tweens and teens who don’t love the look of eyeglasses.
When Are Kids Old Enough for Contacts?
There’s no perfect age when a child is old enough for contacts. Some families might consider contacts for kids as young as 7 or 8—especially if they have certain medical conditions that are better treated with contacts than glasses. But for kids who just need typical vision correction, age 12 or 13 is usually the sweet spot, Dr. Jimenez says.
“A kid’s maturity level is more important than their age,” he adds. “They should be responsible enough to maintain the habits that are required for wearing them safely.”
Not sure if your child is up to the task? Dr. Jimenez advises parents to look at other daily habits for clues. Are they able to do their homework and finish their chores without help? Do they brush their teeth and take showers without reminders? “If they can do all of those things, they can probably add a task like contacts to their daily to-do list,” he says.
Choosing the Right Contacts for Kids
There are almost as many choices of contacts as there are eyeglass frames on display at the optometrist’s office. They come in two main types:
- Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are made of harder, non-flexible material. For people with some types of eye problems, they can provide clearer vision. But they can be harder to get used to, so they aren’t recommended for most beginners.
- Soft contact lenses are made of more flexible material. They are more delicate than rigid lenses and may tear easily. However, they tend to be more comfortable and easier to adjust to, so they’re often a good choice for newbies.
Soft lenses come in different styles. Some are designed to be replaced biweekly or monthly. Reusable styles must be removed and cleaned each day.
Daily disposable contacts are worn just once and replaced with a fresh pair every day. They’re often a great first choice for new contact wearers, Dr. Jimenez said, since you don’t have to clean and store them each night.
Extended-wear contacts are also an option. They are designed to be left in for days or weeks at a time, even during sleep. But they can increase the risk of infections, so Dr. Jimenez says they aren’t usually the best choice for beginners. He points most young patients to daily disposable lenses for their first pair.
Caring for Contact Lenses
When swapping glasses for contacts, kids and families should keep these pointers in mind to avoid contact lens problems and protect their eye health:
- Take them out: Contacts should be removed daily. You should never sleep in them (unless you have extended-wear contacts specifically designed for multi-day use).
- Keep them clean: If you’re not wearing daily disposables, clean contacts daily according to the manufacturer’s instructions and store them in a protective case overnight.
- Avoid water: Getting contacts wet can increase the risk of eye infections. “Always take your contacts out before showering or swimming, including in a lake, ocean or pool,” Dr. Jimenez says.
- See the doctor: Kids should have eye exams once a year, Dr. Jimenez says. “Kids and teens are growing quickly, and their eyes and vision can change rapidly, too,” he adds. “Plus, they’re not always good about telling parents if their vision changes.”
- Maintain your frames: Even if you wear contacts every day, keep a pair of eyeglasses updated with your current prescription. “You should have backup glasses available in case you develop irritation or an infection,” he says.
- Keep an eye on kids’ eyes: It can take a few days to get used to the feeling of contacts, but they should never cause pain. Ask your child to let you know if they have any pain, redness, light sensitivity or vision changes. If something’s amiss, switch to backup glasses and visit your doctor.
Trying Contacts: What to Expect
Even kids who are eager to wear contacts might feel nervous about putting them in and taking them out. Rest assured that the eye doctor knows how to help.
“Most new contact lens users have a one-on-one instruction session with a technician who is trained to teach you how to insert and remove the lenses,” Dr. Jimenez says. Don’t feel awkward if it takes a while to get the hang of it—the technicians have seen it before.
“We make sure you and your child are comfortable with the process before we send you home,” he adds. The only thing left to focus on is seeing clearly.
Reviewed by Jon Jimenez, O.D., an optometrist at Henry Ford Health who sees patients at Henry Ford OptimEyes Super Vision Center - West Bloomfield.
