Is your child ready to wear contact lenses? How old is old enough? Contact lens care is now easier and more convenient than ever before, for all types of lenses. Wearing contacts has become an option for many children.
There are no set rules for children's age and contact lenses. Much depends on how responsible your child is and how much parental support is needed and available. Children as young as 8 years old may do well with contacts, while some teens may not be ready to handle the responsibility. Eye care providers oftenwon't advise contacts for children younger than 12 years of age. This is because the risks often outweigh the benefits in younger children.
Benefits of contact lenses
Some of the benefits of contact lenses include better side (peripheral) vision. This is helpful for sports. It's also helpful for driving, if your child is old enough to drive. In some cases, contacts can offer better quality of vision than eyeglasses. Studies have also shown improvement in a child's self-perception when wearing contacts instead of glasses.
Important lens care
Basic lens care includes cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing with a special solution. This solution keeps lenses clean, comfortable, and free of bacteria. Parents and children should follow the exact instructions for lens care.
Contact lenses have their benefits. But your child may not be ready for the added responsibility. The problem is often poor hygiene. Always have your child follow the eye care provider's advice on correct contact lens hygiene. Some basic rules to have your child follow include:
-
Wash and dry your hands before cleaning or putting in lenses.
-
Clean and rinse your contact lenses as directed. Only use products advised by the eye care provider.
-
Never put your lenses in water or saliva.
-
Don't wear lenses for longer than prescribed.
-
Never wear someone else's lenses.
-
Always have a prescription for any lens you wear. This includes lenses for cosmetic reasons.
-
Never put contact lenses into a red eye.
-
Remove contact lenses if the eyes are itching, burning, red, or irritated. Call your eye care provider.
-
Don't sleep with contact lenses unless they are approved for overnight use.
Talking with an eye care provider
It is important to have an eye care provider determine what type of vision correction a child needs. The child's abilities and maturity level must be taken into account when thinking about contact lenses. Personal wear and care routines may depend on the type of contact prescribed, the type of vision problem being corrected, and the child’s eye chemistry.
In some cases, very young children and even infants may need contact lenses. In these cases, parents or other caregivers must manage the placement and care of the lenses. Daily disposable lenses are more expensive. But they can reduce some of the risks that come with wearing contact lenses. Ask your child’s healthcare provider if contact lenses may be right for your child.
FAQs
Children as young as 8 years old may do well with contacts, while some teens may not be ready to handle the responsibility. Eye care providers often won't advise contacts for children younger than 12 years of age. This is because the risks often outweigh the benefits in younger children.
When can children wear contact lens? ›
Generally, it is recommended that children should start wearing contact lenses between the ages of 11 – 14 years old, however, children as young as age 8 are able to wear them. Every child is different and therefore, each child will start wearing contacts at different ages.
Is contact lens allowed in 13 years old? ›
Wearing contacts has become more of an option for teens, preteens, and even some children since contact lens maintenance has gotten easier and more accessible than ever before. Most eye doctors agree that by the age of 13, and even as early as age 11, the eyes have developed enough to wear contact lenses.
Can a 14 year old wear contact lenses? ›
In theory, contact lenses can be worn at any age, but the ongoing maintenance requires personal responsibility, which might be tough for younger users. The most common age to start wearing lenses is 12 to 14 years, when starting high school.
Can a 10 year old wear colored contacts? ›
In the end, there is no set age at which doctors recommend allowing children to wear colored contacts, it is a judgement call that you as parents must make together with your kids. When you're both ready, consult with your doctor to see what options are best for your child.
Can a one year old wear contact lenses? ›
Can kids wear contact lenses? While there may be no minimum or recommended age for wearing contact lenses, it's still important to consider whether contacts are appropriate. This decision has less to do with age than with your child's unique traits and context.
What is the maximum age for contact lenses? ›
There is no maximum age limit as to when an individual must stop wearing contact lenses. As you age throughout your life the contact lens prescription may change just as your eyeglasses prescription does.
Can kids use eye contact? ›
Eye contact is important for developing social interactions, relationships, and language skills. Some children may become overstimulated when you make eye contact with them. It's important to not force children to make eye contact. Instead be patient and invite them to engage in mutual gaze.
Are contact lenses free for under 16? ›
NHS optical vouchers
You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you: are under 16. are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home) are a prisoner on leave from prison.
Is it OK for a 12 year old to wear contacts? ›
Children as young as 8 years old may do well with contacts, while some teens may not be ready to handle the responsibility. Eye care providers often won't advise contacts for children younger than 12 years of age.
When you're in any type of water, do not wear your contacts. This includes showers, hot tubs, pools, lakes, rivers and the ocean. Put in your contacts after bathing and wear tight-fitting goggles when swimming. Or better yet, invest in a pair of prescription goggles.
What contact lenses are good for kids? ›
Which contact lenses are best for kids? The most popular contact lenses for kids are daily disposable contact lenses, and it isn't hard to see why. Daily disposables require minimal cleaning because they're designed to be used for only one day.
When can children wear contact lenses? ›
Optometrists can recommend children start to wear contact lenses from the age of 8. This really depends on the individual child and how responsible and mature they are and whether the they're ready to cope with contact lens hygiene, wear, and care.
Can a 70 year old wear contacts? ›
With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts. They're a convenient way to correct your vision.
Who Cannot wear contact lenses? ›
However, contact lenses may not be a good option for people who: Have had repeated eye infections. Suffer from severe allergic reactions. Have problems with eye lubrication.
Can 13 year olds wear contact lenses? ›
It is possible to fit contact lenses to very young children - even infants - so there is no reason on age grounds alone that a 13 year old cannot wear lenses.
Can you wear contacts at 10? ›
The FDA approved the first contact lens to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. Kids would begin wearing the lenses between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. (These lenses are “daily disposable” lenses that are worn only during waking hours and disposed of every evening.)
Are cosplay contacts safe? ›
The Dangers of Improper Hygiene. Failing to maintain proper ocular hygiene when wearing cosplay contacts can significantly increase the risk of infections and corneal ulcers. These conditions can develop rapidly and have severe consequences, including blindness.
What contact lenses are FDA approved for children? ›
MiSight®1 day contact lenses are the first and ONLY soft contact lenses that are FDA approved* to slow the progression of myopia in children 8-12 years of age at initiation of treatment¹.
Are 1 year contact lenses safe? ›
Contacts, when cared for properly and used as directed and recommended, can last up to a year in some cases. For example, some contact lenses made out of silicone hydrogel and hydrogel materials that are designed to be reusable each day may be preserved for up to a year when taken care of right.
Costume contact lenses can look great but…
There is no such thing as a one size fits all contact lens and lenses which are not properly fitted may scratch the eye or become infected with potentially catastrophic consequences including blindness.
Can I use 2 year old contact lenses? ›
Wearing contact lenses that have expired - or for longer than the prescribed amount of time - can be dangerous for your eyes and vision. Not following the instructions of your eye doctor and lens manufacturer raises the risk of everything from eye irritation to infections and corneal abrasions.
What is the longest time you can wear contact lenses? ›
The maximum time that any lens has been approved to wear continuously is 30 days. You should never wear a lens longer than that. If you must sleep in your lenses, most eye doctors will encourage you to take them out as often as possible, or at least once per week.
Are contacts better than glasses? ›
Contacts conform to your eyes, offering a wider field of vision with less distortion and obstruction than glasses. Contact lenses don't slip or slide down when your face gets sweaty during exercise or activity. Contacts aren't affected by the weather and won't fog up when temperatures change.
