If your child wears glasses and is thinking about trying out contact lenses, it’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive. However, transitioning from glasses to contacts can be an exciting change that can positively impact your child’s confidence and quality of life.
Optometry Australia’s Professional Services Advisor Dom Willson says that providing children with the option of contact lenses as an alternative to glasses has the potential to not only boost their self-esteem, but also improve their sports and social interactions.
“More and more kids are switching to contact lenses for a range of reasons including self-confidence and the flexibility it offers with sports, for example,” Willson said.
“It’s important for parents to remember that a proper prescribing and fitting process with an optometrist is crucial for successful contact lens usage. By working with the optometrist, parents can help their child make a smooth transition from specs to contact lenses. Physically, we can fit contact lenses for very young children and even babies – so really, it's the desire and maturity of the child that determines success with contacts.
“As long as the child can handle the responsibility of practicing and maintaining good contact lens hygiene, there’s generally no need to worry. I often tell parents that if their child has the dexterity and maturity to clean their own teeth before bed – without too much nagging! – then they have the dexterity and maturity to handle and clean their own contact lenses.”
Tips for parents
If your child is making the switch to contact lenses, keep these five tips in mind to ease their transition:
- Visit your local optometrist. An optometrist will determine the best type of contact lens for your child based on their prescription and lifestyle. They will also ensure that the lenses fit comfortably, and guide them through the process of inserting and removing the contact lenses. They will also provide instructions on how to maintain and care for the lenses properly. This is important to prevent any eye infections or other potential problems that can arise from improper contact lens care.
- Be patient. It may take your child time to acclimate to contact lenses – or they may pick it up really easily! It’s important to be patient and understanding. With a bit of time and practice, your child will likely become more comfortable and confident in wearing them.
- Don’t throw out glasses completely. Contact lenses may be worn part-time or full-time, but either way, it’s worth reminding your child to always carry a backup pair of glasses with them just in case they experience any discomfort or issues with their contacts, although with well fitted modern contact lenses, problems like this are rare. Even for full-time contact lens wearers, glasses are also useful for first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or simply a ‘day off’ from contact lenses.
- Make sure your child is practicing and maintaining proper contact lens care. You may need to remind them of the steps for a while until they become accustomed to the routine. However, most children pick up this aspect of contact lens wear very well, and problems like infections are very uncommon in children.
- Schedule your child routine visits with their optometrist. Whether your child wears glasses or contact lenses, routine visits to the optometrist are essential to maintain healthy eyes and good vision. Additionally, any potential issues arising can often be detected and ‘nipped in the bud’ nice and early by your optometrist, ensuring years of trouble-free contact lens wear.
