When Can Kids Wear Contacts?

Whether they’re into basketball or ballet, reading or wrestling, there are many kids who long to wear contact lenses in place of their regular eyeglasses. But will my child wear contact lenses?

There are many factors that influence whether or not a child is capable of successfully wearing contact lenses. Perhaps the biggest factor is that of motivation. There must be a strong desire on the part of the child (not the parent) to wear contact lenses. Only then will the child be willing to go through the important initial wearing and adjustment period to become a successful contact lens wearer.

The next biggest factor in determining whether a child can start contact lens wear is the child’s maturity and responsibility level. Getting into the habit of cleaning, handling, and wearing contact lenses also takes time and the child must be willing to devote enough time caring for the lenses until it becomes second nature. Many can successfully do this as they begin their high-school years.

Not all children must wait until they are in high school. Many younger athletes find that contact lenses give them much better vision without having glassses sliding up and down the nose, fogging up, or getting broken.

Whatever your child’s age, take his or her comments about contact lenses seriously. If your child earnestly wants to wear contact lenses, then he or she may be ready to handle the requirements of proper contact lens care.