Are Contact Lenses a Good Idea for Children?

Many children do end up needing glasses, but glasses can change your appearance enough that some kids are uncomfortable with the idea and prefer to get contact lenses. This can leave parents with a lot of questions about the safety of pediatric contact lenses. Are getting contact lenses for your child a good idea? Here are a few things to consider.

Several Types of Lenses Are Available for Pediatric Patients

Even though it is a common misconception that contact lenses are not good for children, there are several eye doctors that do offer pediatric contact lenses. The thing is, there are specific types of lenses that can be viable options for certain children with specific needs. The two primary types of contacts used for children are soft lenses and gas-permeable lenses. Both of these contact lens types are a good fit for pediatric patients because they are easy to fit and can be disposable, which means less maintenance of the lenses and less risk of eye irritants due to improper cleaning.

Parent Training Is Hugely Important to Successful Contact Lens Use

Normally, the eye doctor will explain directly to the patient how they should properly use their new lenses, but with pediatric patients, parents are very much involved. For younger patients, it is usually the parents that do the majority of taking the lenses out and helping the child put them in. Likewise, it is important that parents know how to properly clean the lenses and watch for any issues the child is having.

Pediatric Contact Lenses Are Most Often Used for Specific Pediatric Vision or Eye Problems

Even though pediatric patients can be fitted with contact lenses, most eye doctors prefer to only prescribe lenses for pediatric patients that have certain types of ailments. General near or farsightedness is common in childhood as the eyes develop. But conditions like bilateral aphakia and anisometropia can be fitting for contact lens use, especially if there are issues with the child wearing glasses or if other forms of vision therapy don’t work.

Find Out More About Pediatric Contact Lenses in Coldwater, MS

Some children are good candidates for contact lenses. If you believe your child could be, reach out to us at Coldwater Vision Center to schedule an appointment.