At What Age Can One Start to Wear Contact Lens? Know These 5 Things
It is not news to anyone that our screen time has multiplied over the last few years. In such a scenario, there are higher chances of developing eye-related problems. If you do not have eye related conditions by birth, you are likely to develop it over time due to too much stress to the eyes from mobile phones and laptop screens.
Today, kids are at higher risk of developing eye conditions and compromised vision. [1] Wearing glasses in this age can lead to other issues that hamper growth of children in these formative years. [1] Now you may ask at what age can you wear contact lenses or what age is appropriate for its use? Here’s a quick guide that can help you figure it out.
Contrary to the popular notion, contact lenses are not just worn to look stylish or cool. They come with advanced technologies like Bausch+Lomb’s silicon hydrogel lenses that aid in vision correction and eye conditions like astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia etc. So, the real question lies not in what age can kids wear contacts but whether they require it for vision correction in the first place.
To make the right decision, it is crucial to know the following things:
- Say Yes to Eye Care Routines from A Young Age
Can a 13-year-old wear contact lenses? Yes, surely. [2] If you start early as kids, adapting to a proper eye care routine can help teenagers learn how to properly care for their contact lenses as well. All they need is an eye care professional’s guidance. It is safe for kids to wear contact lenses as long as they are taught to follow a well-laid routine for use.
- Daily Disposable for First Time Users
For kids, it is easy to learn a proper schedule wherein they start their day by wearing their lens and end it by disposing it appropriately. In this case, you can use daily disposable contact lenses which is ideal for beginners. They are affordable, low maintenance and helps inculcate discipline and hygiene.
- Seek Assistance from An Optometrist
If you think your child needs corrective lenses but you are apprehensive of using glasses as they might hamper their active lifestyle, you should seek guidance from an optometrist. They can help identify the eye condition and suggest corrective lenses through eye tests.
- Be Aware of Potential Risks
While instilling a good habit for eye health care is essential, it is always advisable to know the risk factors beforehand. A report[3] by Pediatrics suggests that one-fourth of roughly more than 75,000 kids who wear contact lenses suffer injuries and complication due to the use of such medical devices. This only means that it is important to educate your children the right ways to use contact lenses.
- Safety Tips to Know[3]
With great lens power, comes great responsibility. Make sure to teach your child to adhere to the following tips:
- Do not share your lens or borrow somebody else’s lens
- If the eye is already red or irritated, do not put a contact lens on it
- Safety goggles are recommended to be worn above the lenses when playing sports
- Prolonged use should be avoided at all costs
- Do not sleep while wearing the contact lenses
- Wash your hands properly before cleaning and inserting lens
- Dry your hands with a clean, lint free cloth
- Have back-up glasses handy
- Disinfect and clean your lenses only as directed (not applicable for daily disposable)
- Do not expose your contact lenses to water or saliva
Now that you know these 5 things, you can make your decision easily. Bausch+Lomb can be your trusted eye care partner to find the best contact lenses for your child. We offer a wide range of daily disposable, stable silicon hydrogel lenses made with advanced technology. Our various products uniquely cater to different needs of our customers. Vision correction lenses for eye conditions like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism etc., are available in different modalities so that you See Better. Live Better. Consult with your optometrist and browse from our range to find your perfect lens match. Try Bausch+Lomb today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3888556/
[2] https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-childrens-eye-exams/can-kids-wear-contact-lenses/
[1] https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-if-your-child-wants-contact-lenses
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