Every year, millions of children are diagnosed with eye problems. About 25 percent of children aged 6 to 11 have a vision impairment that requires them to wear eyeglasses. Many children have not paid a recent visit to their Lapel Eye Doctors. It is very important to have your children’s eyes checked every two years unless they are showing symptoms. If they are having trouble in school, holding books or their electronic devices close to their eyes, or experiencing headaches, they should have their eyes examined. Contact Dr. Amy Walden & Associates, your local Lapel Eye Doctors, if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms for a comprehensive eye exam.
My Child Wants To Try Contacts
Once your child has been prescribed eyeglasses, at some point they may inquire about contact lenses. Many children like the fashion statement of wearing glasses. They can coordinate them with certain outfits and they enjoy the way they look. While others do not like the look or feel of them on their face and find them to be a distraction.
The most common question we receive once a child is prescribed eyeglasses is “Is there an appropriate age for my child to be fitted for contact lenses?” The answer to this question is no, there is no magic age. Every circumstance and child is different. Some children can adapt to contact lenses easily, while others have a hard time getting used to wearing them. This is all dependent on the child themselves.
Believe it or not, children can be fitted for contact lenses at a very young age. About 90% of children between the ages of 8 – 11 who have tried wearing contact lenses have no problem applying or taking their contact lenses out of their eyes. However, this is an individual decision for each parent and dependent on the maturity level of the child. This is something that should be discussed by the parents, the child, and your Lapel Eye Doctors. Since your eye doctor is aware of the history of your child’s eyes, they can help you make this decision.
If your child has a hard time following directions they may not be ready for the responsibility of maintaining contact lenses. However, as time goes on, and your child matures, they can try again at an older age.
How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready For Contacts?
On average, children between the ages of 11 – 14 are encouraged to try contact lenses at some point. Children tend to be responsible enough at these ages. They also begin to care more about their appearance. Their self-esteem can suffer if they are uncomfortable wearing eyeglasses. This could potentially affect their school and social life. But they need to be ready to take on the roles and duties that come along with switching from eyeglasses to contact lenses. If your child plays sports, the convenience of wearing contacts while playing sports may be an incentive for regular wear. Once they get used to wearing them more often, they will take care of them better. Wearing contacts may improve their hand to eye coordination and peripheral vision when playing sports as well.
If you’re unsure if your child is mature enough for contact lenses, contact your Lapel Eye Doctors for advice. This does not have to be a daunting decision. Your child can always go back to the eyeglasses if they do not adjust to the change. It is important to let your child know the consequences that can occur if you do not take care of your eyes and contact lenses. Check out our previous blog written about the risks of not taking care of your contact lenses and share it with your child.
Contact Your Lapel Eye Doctors For More Questions About Contact Lenses For Your Child
In the grand scheme of things, every child matures differently and can handle tasks differently. It is best to sit down with your child and discuss the proper way to care for their contact lenses. Then, make an appointment with Dr. Amy Walden & Associates. We will go over the importance of care and the risks that can occur if contacts are not correctly taken care of. They will also be able to prescribe the best contact lens that fits the need of your child. Contact us, your Lapel Eye Doctors, Dr. Amy Walden & Associates if you have any further questions and we would be happy to help.