While contact lenses offer an extremely convenient and effective vision correction alternative to traditional glasses, they also come with certain risks, such as a higher incidence of eye infections and dry eye. That’s why you have to be very careful when deciding to introduce your child to contact lenses.
While most eye doctors encourage contact lens wear between 11-14 years of age, wearing lenses has less to do with your child’s age and more about whether your child is responsible enough to care for his/her lenses correctly.
Without proper care, contact lens wear can lead to:
- Eye irritation
- Corneal abrasions
- Pink eye
- Blurred vision
- Swelling, pain, and discomfort
Comprehensive Contact Lens Fittings For Patients of All Ages in Calgary
At Blink Eyewear, our optometrists offer comprehensive contact lens fittings for patients of all ages and we can help determine whether contact lenses or eyeglasses are the safest options for your child.
Want to know more?
Is My Child Ready For Contact Lenses? Here’s How to Know
Has your child begun to express an interest in wearing contact lenses? Then you know it’s time to book an appointment with a qualified optometrist. Before you do so, however, you must first think about how your child handles other responsibilities.
Ask yourself if they:
- Practice good oral hygiene at home
- Keep their room clean
- Finish their homework on time
- Follow through with household chores
Why is this important?
If your child demonstrates a responsible nature in all areas of his/her life, then they are likely to be good candidates for contact lenses. Children who require constant reminders to follow up on good hygiene practices, for example, will not be ready for the responsibility of wearing and caring for contact lenses properly.
Want to Read More?
Signs of Vision Problems in Children
Are Contact Lenses a Safe Option For My Child?
As parents, it’s natural to have concerns about the safety of contact lenses for your child, but you must rest assured that they are a perfectly safe and effective option for younger patients requiring vision correction.
The Key Factor: Lenses MUST be cleaned regularly and stored properly to prevent the risk of infection or dry eye.
However, you must also understand that:
- Adjusting to contact lenses takes patience and time, so your child must be fully committed to wearing them.
- Your child has to be responsible enough to clean their lenses at night.
- Contact lenses are designed to be comfortable, but your child shouldn’t overwear them. They can become dry at the end of the day, and should be removed as soon as possible when your child comes home from school.
5 Benefits of Wearing Contact Lenses For Children
If your optometrist has assessed your child and determined that contact lenses are a safe option for them, you should strongly consider allowing your child to wear them because they offer incredible benefits, such as:
- Better and clearer vision
- A wider field of vision than eyeglasses
- They’re good for sports because they reduce the risk of injury due to shattered glasses
- Enhanced peripheral vision, which improves performance in sports
- Enhanced self-esteem
Call Today
To find out more about the cost and benefits of contact lenses, and how our optometrists can help determine if this is a safe and viable choice for your child, visit one of our three branches, Crowfoot (67 Crowfoot Terrace NW, T3G 4J8), West Springs (1009 873 85 St SW, T3H 0J5) or Creekside (12192 Symons Valley Rd NW, T3P 0A3).
Alternatively, you can contact our team at our Crowfoot Branch (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292).