Some children as young as eight years old receive prescription contact lenses. At this stage, eyes are developed to a correct shape and vision for which contact lenses are appropriate. In some cases, we encourage parents to wait a little longer before allowing their children to get contact lenses. The early pre-teen or teen years are a common age for children to begin wearing contacts. Other considerations you may want to make for your child are:
How mature is your child?
Children should be mature enough to handle the responsibility of receiving contact lenses in Asheville. Contact lenses require organization and planning. Contacts need to be cleaned regularly and kept in a safe location when they are not being worn. If contacts are not cleaned correctly, they can cause dangerous eye infections. Your child should also be able to remember to clean out the contact lenses case on occasion, as well. Children should remember to remove contact lenses when they go to bed at night. If you feel as though your child has good overall hygiene and will remember to take contact wearing as a serious responsibility, they are probably a good candidate to receive contact lenses in Asheville.
Why is your child interested in contact lenses?
Another question to consider is why your child has an interest in switching to contact lenses. If you believe it is a fleeting fad, you may not want to go to the effort it takes to receive contacts and teach your child the responsibility of wearing and caring for them. It would be a waste for your child to get contacts, only for them to then set the lenses on a shelf and continue to wear glasses every day. If your child has a good reason for being interested in contact lenses, like athletics or self-consciousness, it may be time to consider them.
Are you ready to make sure your child uses contact lenses correctly?
It may seem like an unnecessary question, but if you are wondering what the right age for contact lenses in Asheville is, you should also consider whether or not you are ready for your child to make the change. Not only do contact lenses require responsibility on the child or teen’s part, but they also require responsibility from a parent. You will have to set a good example for how to wear contacts, how to clean them, and when to take them out. As your child gets used to wearing contacts, you will need to remind them when to remove the lenses and where to keep them. You will make your child’s contact lenses wearing a success if you set a good example.
If you now think your child is mature enough and at the right age for contact lenses in Asheville, visit our office to learn more. We will schedule an appointment for you and your child to visit for an evaluation.
