At What Age Can Your Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

The use of the contact lens, both as a style statement and for practical uses, has increased its popularity. Consequently, the above question is something that most contact optometrists and lens shop sellers face. While it is difficult to provide a definite answer, this question should never be taken lightly. The fact that the compatibility of the eyes with the contact lens starts from a very young age further requires parents to understand the validity of this question. The decision of whether to provide kids with contact lenses depends on this understanding.

One way to get clarity is to go by statistics. A recent survey showed that kids in the age group of 8 years and 11 years were well equipped to handle wearing and taking off their lenses without any parental assistance. In some rare cases, kids have been fitted with eye lenses right from birth.

One way to get clarity is to go by statistics. A recent survey showed that kids in the age group of 8 years and 11 years were well equipped to handle wearing and taking off their lenses without any parental assistance. In some rare cases, kids have been fitted with eye lenses right from birth.

How to know if your kid is contact lens ready?

The lack of absolute clarity about the right age for starting to wear eye lenses requires us to base this decision on two important factors:

• Maturity of your kid: Since maturity, as a criterion, is very critical and its determination depends on the perspective with which it is viewed, it is best to discuss this with your eye care professional. This discussion also needs to include the child so that he or she understands what is involved in wearing these lenses and caring for them daily.
  
  
• Sense of responsibility: Another way to determine whether your child is prepared to handle wearing contact lenses is to take a stock of how they handles other critical responsibilities given to them.
  
  
• Systematic handling of the daily chores shows that your child can be given a pair of eye lenses to wear.
  
  
• If they have to be reminded of their responsibilities and duties every day, then it is best to buy eyeglasses.
  
  
  

Advantages of wearing contact lenses as a child

It is a fact that kids are more compatible with wearing lenses and develop far fewer complications than adults. Hence many eye practitioners advise kids in the age group of 11 years and 14 years to wear contacts. Several advantages justify this advice:

• Contacts provide better optics
  
• With increased peripheral vision than eyeglasses, wearing contact lenses enhance athletic performance
  
• They help to build the self-esteem of your child
• Kids are often willing to adapt and become more responsible so they can wear eye lenses
  
  

Conclusion

But before deciding on buying a contact lens kit for your child, sit down and have a rational discussion with your child. He or she should understand the pros and cons and the responsibilities that come with the same. You, as a parent, should also understand that the decision to wear eye lenses is reversible. If your kid faces problems or is unable to adjust to life with contact lenses, you can always switch over to wearing eyeglasses. This flexibility helps to smoothen the transition from wearing eyeglasses to switching over to eye lenses.