Kids And Contacts - Is Your Child Ready?
Nine-year old Hunter came home from school looking like he’d barely survived a school yard brawl. His glasses were awkwardly bent with one side sitting on his nose while the other protruded uncomfortably skyward. “What happened?” his mom asked. “I got hit with the basketball during recess.” With stories like this circulating PTA meetings, parents are asking, “When should I let my kid try contacts?” The answer is swiftly evolving and may be surprising.
Pediatricians have long recommended that children wait until early teens before considering contact lenses. However, as cleaning and storing becomes less complicated, some doctors are allowing patients as young as 8 try contacts. Here are some issues to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch from glasses to contacts:
Lifestyle and maturity level
- Children who have an active lifestyle do best. Many patients like the better peripheral vision contacts offer. Better peripheral vision enhances performance and safety in sports like baseball and football.
- And during those sultry summers, contacts rarely interfere with a child’s enjoyment of a sunny afternoon in the pool. They can easily be worn under goggles so the child can see without a risk of water irritating the eye or losing a contact lens.
- To protect against potential sun damage, many disposable lenses are applying UV inhibiting agents which can block harmful ultra violet rays. Applying this extra layer of protection protects vulnerable eyes from the formation of cataracts over time.
Signs to look for
- Consider your child’s general hygiene habits. Can they brush their own teeth? If not, they may not be ready for the responsibility of contacts.
The Parents Role
- Knowing the signs of adverse reactions such as pain, redness, and discharge.
- Following up with the child’s Optometrist and keeping all scheduled appointments.
- Checking cleanliness of contact cases and general equipment. Unsanitary or damaged contact lenses increase the risk infection.
While no one answer applies to every child, it can be safe for children to begin wearing contact lenses. Just be sure the child is ready for the responsibility - and that parents are prepared just in case children aren’t.
Belinda Cohen,
http://webpages.charter.net/b.c.writingpage/index.doc
Tags: children, contacts, eyes, health, kids, parenting
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