Encyclopedia: Contact Lens

Encyclopedia: Contact Lens - Children

Most contact lens professionals agree that contact lenses are best left to the teenage years and later, although there may be circumstances which justify their use at an earlier age. If, for instance, a child wears very heavy, uncomfortable, unattractive glasses, contacts may make an emotional difference by improving self-esteem. Most eye care professionals agree that, under normal circumstances, contact lenses should not be fitted on children for purely cosmetic reasons.

Preteen athletes are sometimes fitted with contacts because eyeglasses could restrict their play or be a safety hazard. Other special circumstances where contact lenses may be used for younger children include certain types of eye injuries, early cataract development, significant astigmatism, and lazy eye.

Children do adapt well to contact lenses, often more quickly than adults, but are not very vigilant when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Parents usually take on the primary responsibility for keeping their children's contact lenses clean. Seasonal allergies also tend to affect children more than adults, and this may cause a buildup of protein deposits, making the lenses even more difficult to keep clean.

Another factor that should be considered in purchasing contact lenses for children is cost. Although the initial price may be similar to that of eyeglasses, the cost of maintenance and replacement of lost lenses can easily double that figure.

Parents should carefully consider the consequences of contact lens wear before encouraging their use by preteen children. In recent years, a greater selection of frame styles and thinner, lighter-weight lenses mean that most children can be fitted with attractive, comfortable eyeglasses.