Are Contact Lenses a Good Idea for Children?

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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.

How to Care For Your Contact Lenses

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If you experience eye problems, your doctor may recommend eyeglasses or contact lenses. The latter has numerous benefits for wearers. First, they’re more convenient for active people. You can comfortably engage in exercises such as running or mountain climbing while wearing contact lenses. But how do you take care of them? Read on to find out more.

Use Soap and Water to Wash Your Hands and Dry Them Well

Touching the lenses with dirty or wet hands may result in damages. The germs in your hands may be transferred to the contact lenses and the case. The cleaning exercise is necessary whenever you’re inserting or removing your lenses.

Remove the Contact Lenses before Sleeping

Many of them are designed to be worn during the day and when sleeping. However, when you sleep in contact lenses, you increase the risk of eye infections significantly. According to some experts, you’ll be 4 or 5 times more likely to suffer from medical complications.

Learn About Effective Cleaning Methods

Besides ensuring your hands are clean and dry before you touch contact lenses, ensure you clean them daily. The most common way of cleaning is rubbing each of them gently with your index fingers. You can place them in the palm of your hand during the cleaning exercise. This helps to remove any contaminants that may have accumulated on the surfaces. The best cleaning technique may vary from one lens to another, and you may need to consult your doctor about your specific type of lenses. The choice of cleaning solution is also vital. There are numerous solutions designed for contact lenses. Avoid using tap water or saliva to clean your lenses at all costs, as this may spread germs all over them. Some researchers have revealed that contaminated lenses are major causes of eye infections. An invisible layer in contact lenses can become a breeding ground for germs that cause eye infections. You can easily get rid of the germs by cleaning your lens using disinfectant solutions and wiping dry using a tissue.

Store the Lenses Inside Their Cases After Removing Them

Some people may decide to store their lenses on surfaces such as countertops or cabinets when they’re not wearing them. Although you can still clean them later, placing them in such areas may cause damages as they’re exposed to bacteria.

As you can see, it’s easy to care for contact lenses once you understand the different steps involved. Talk to your eye doctor at Coldwater Vision Center to learn more.