Children are the perfect candidates for wearing contact lenses. In certain cases lenses are also prescribed to babies. The problem is the following: are children mature enough to be responsible for the lenses and to insert and take out them properly? Studies have shown that children between ages 11 and 13 are perfectly capable to handle and take care of the lenses. In order to decide whether a child is able to wear lenses, parents must consult a specialist. The actual maintenance is quite simple and takes only a few minutes.

For children esthetics plays an important role so lenses may be accepted more easily than glasses. Sometimes kids can be cruel and a child with glasses can actually be rejected from a playground, avoided in plays, nicknamed, mocked, causing real suffering and emotional damage. In plus, several studies have proven that in case of a child contact lenses can delay the progression of myopia as the visual development is not yet finished. Another strong point is that lenses leave the freedom of choice to wear glasses as well if the circumstances demand it. Contact lenses don’t fall of a children’s nose and don’t get steamy as well.

Before trying any type of contact lens, please ask for specialist’s opinion, parents should know the following about contact lenses.

• Make sure that your child understands the rules of wearing and the maintenance of contact lenses.

• The child must understand that lenses are not tradable among friends.

• Before going for a swim, the child must remove the lenses or obligatory wear swim goggles.

• Any kind of rash, redness or excessive tears come along with the removal of the contact lens and consult by the doctor.

• The child must have on him a case filled with clearing solution for proper maintenance in case of removal of the lenses.

• Consult an ophthalmologist who will help to pick the most suitable lens for your child. If you're new to contact lenses, your first step is to see an eye doctor as in the United States, contact lenses are a prescription item, just like pharmaceuticals, regardless that you are an adult or under 18. Contact lenses must be prescribed and properly fitted by an eye care professional (ECP), who will evaluate the visual needs, the eye structure, and the tears in order to determine the best type of lens.

Parents should be properly informed as contact lenses are great solutions for children who need visual corrections. Children may use lenses starting from ages of 9-10, however, there are exceptions. Contact lenses available today are best in quality and don’t jeopardizes health if maintained and handled properly (always handle them with clean hands and use clearing solutions for maintenance).