Is It Safe for Children to Wear Contact Lenses?

Children become more self-conscious about their appearance as they grow up. Most dislike wearing eyeglasses due to the attention they attract to their face. So, most prefer contacts for cosmetic reasons. However, parents worry about the safety of contact lenses. Continue reading to learn if contact lenses are safe for children to wear.

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are thin and small lenses placed on the eye surface for vision correction. They comprise various materials like hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, and rigid gas permeable (RGP) materials. They also have different prescription strengths, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism.

Benefits of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are ideal for vision correction. They are also more advantageous than wearing eyeglasses. They give a more natural vision without the distortions that occur when wearing eyeglasses.

Contact lenses also enhance appearance. They are invisible, often appealing to children, especially those self-conscious about their appearance. They also offer comfort. They do not fog up or slide down the nose like eyeglasses. Contacts give children the freedom to engage in physical activities like sports. They can play without worrying about the lenses getting broken or falling off.

Risks of Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses has many benefits. However, it also has the following risks, especially for children. They include:
 

• Eye infections – Lack of proper cleaning or storage of contact lenses leads to infections

• Allergic reactions – Contact lens material can cause allergic reactions, like eye irritation, in some children

• Corneal abrasions – Wearing contact lenses for an extended period or not handling them well can scratch the cornea

• Inconvenience – Contact lenses can be inconvenient at times. They require more effort to maintain and use compared to eyeglasses. As a result, it can cause a lot of inconvenience for some children

• Dry eyes – Contact lenses can deprive eye surface moisture and lubrication. Therefore, this can result in dry eyes

• Oxygen deprivation – Wearing contact lenses reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the eye. It can lead to eye problems such as irritation and redness

Safety of Contact Lenses for Children

Several factors determine the safety of contact lenses for children. The American Academy of Ophthalmology approves the safety of wearing contacts for children as young as eight. Parents should consider their child’s ability to follow instructions before letting them wear contact lenses.

What Children Who Wear Contact Lenses Should Do

Children wearing contacts should clean and store their lenses as instructed by the manufacturer. This reduces the risk of developing eye infections. They should handle their lenses gently to avoid scratching them.

It is vital for children wearing contact lenses to be able to recognize signs of eye problems like discharge, irritation, or redness. They should report such changes or complications to their parents or eye specialist as soon as they notice them.

Encourage your child to follow a strict contact lens-wearing schedule. Doing so will help prevent eye problems from developing. They should also avoid sharing their contact lenses with others to reduce the risk of developing eye infections.

For more about children wearing contacts, visit Eyecare Associates Optometric Group at our office in Azusa, California. Call (626) 919-4821 to book an appointment today.