Can children wear contact lenses?

There is no real age limit to lenses. Babies and toddlers may be fitted with extended wear lenses, children generally can be fitted with them if clinical advantage are seen to warrant this action. Around the age of 9 years+ tend to be the age where daily wear lenses can be handled by a child. Our experience show many parents are willing to help their children over this hurdle by getting involved. There is no such thing as 'Wait for the eyes to settle down' or the 'Prescription to stop deteriorating'. Contact lenses especially hard lenses tend to help slow down the progression of deterioration. Are Contact lenses available through the NHS? Contact lenses are only supplemented through the NHS. The supplement varies subject to DSS support to these groups: *Children under 16 years of age * under 19 in full time education * income support and family credit. What about insurance? It is always advisable to insure your lenses against loss or damage, however some good contact lens centres now p ... more

Children can be fitted with contact lenses and your optometrist will be able to advise you. It is the child's decision whether or not to wear contact lenses, and they will only be provided if the child wants them. Children must also be able to put the lenses in and out themselves, and understand fully the need to look after them properly. ... more

One of the problems that eye care professionals have to deal with is how to explain to parents that children can also wear contact lenses and that this will not harm their eyes. Contact lens wear is not an matter of age. After several studies that were made during the last few years practitioners agree that in order for a child to be able to wear contact lenses he or she should be at least ten years old. There are of course a few exceptions as well when the child is recommended to wear contact lenses because of an illness of the eye that cannot be treated with simple glasses. In these cases children are allowed to wear contact lenses after a very careful examination. Children wear contact lenses for fundamentally the same reasons as adults: to see well or to look better. Children can wear all kind of contact lenses but the soft ones are more preferred. In most cases, soft contact lenses are more comfortable and are easier for the eye to adapt to. They do necessitate more scrupulous car ... more

Children of all ages can tolerate contact lenses remarkably well. Even newborn babies born with certain eye conditions can wear and tolerate contacts. The deciding factor as to whether or not a child should wear contacts should not be his or her age, but rather the child’s maturity level. Parents should make that judgment based on the child’s personal hygiene and ability to perform household responsibilities. Contact lenses are especially good for children in sports. Contacts don’t get fogged up, they fit under helmets and goggles, they improve peripheral field and, in many cases, improve visual acuity and depth perception. For the price of a good pair of glasses, you can purchase a year’s supply of contacts. Also, if a child’s prescription changes, the Wheaton Eye Clinic Contact Lens Department can usually take back any unopened boxes and exchange them for replacement boxes in the new prescription. When appropriately fit and cared for, contact lenses are a very good option for many ch ... more

As soon as the need for vision correction is identified, contact lenses are a viable option. With proper care and lens maintenance, infants, young children, teens, and adults of all ages can wear contacts effectively. ... more