When is a child old enough to wear contact lenses?

There are no set rules with children and contact lenses. Much depends on your child's responsibilities and the need for parental support. Children under 8 years old can use contact lenses. But there are some older teens who may be too immature to take care of themselves as well as contact lenses. Eye care providers generally will not advise exposure to children under 12 years of age. That's because the risks often outweigh the benefits for these children.
Some of the benefits of contact lenses include better side (peripheral) vision. This is very useful for sports. It is also useful for driving, if your child is old enough to drive. In some cases, contact lenses can provide better quality of vision than eyeglasses. Studies also show that children's self-perception improves when they wear contact lenses instead of glasses.
Contact lenses have their own benefits, but your child may not be ready for contact lens care. The problem is often due to poor hygiene. If used, you need guidance and supervision so that your child follows the doctor's advice on how to properly clean contact lenses. Some ground rules for your child to follow include:
Wash hands before wiping or putting contact lenses in their eyes.

Clean and wash your child's contact lenses as directed. Use only products recommended by your eye care provider. Never put contact lenses in water or saliva. Do not wear contact lenses for longer than prescribed. Never wear someone else's contact lenses. Never put contact lenses in eyes that are red. Remove contact lenses if the eyes are itchy, burning, or red and irritated. In this case, you need to take the child to a medical facility for examination and treatment. Do not go to bed with contact lenses. Daily disposable contact lenses are more expensive, but are products that can reduce some of the risks of wearing contact lenses. In some cases, young children and even infants may need contact lenses. In these cases, the parent or caregiver must manage the placement of contact lenses in the child's eyes and care for the contact lenses.
Experts recommend that, before wearing contact lenses, children should be evaluated by an eye care professional for the type of vision correction they need. In addition, the child's ability and maturity level must be taken into account when considering contact lenses. Dressing and personal care habits may depend on the type of contact lens prescribed, the type of vision problem being corrected, and the child's eye chemistry.
Contact lens care is now easier and more convenient than ever. Wearing contact lenses has become a viable option for many children. Basic contact lens care includes cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing with a special solution. This solution helps to keep the lens clean and free of bacteria. Both parent and child should follow exact instructions from an eye care professional.

Most contact lenses intended for children should not be used during sleep. And most contact lenses are used as an alternative to glasses, providing only optical correction for blurred vision. However, there are some special types of contact lenses that may offer other benefits or may raise concerns. Example:
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first contact lenses to slow the progression of myopia in children. Children will start wearing contact lenses between the ages of 8 and 12. However, this type of contact lens is a “disposable daily” type that is only worn during waking hours and thrown away at night. Some types of contact lenses can be worn while sleeping. These contact lenses, which can be soft or hard, essentially carry a greater risk of eye infections and can lead to vision loss. There is a type of rigid contact lens (Orthokeratology Lens) that is worn during sleep to slightly blur the cornea to temporarily reduce nearsightedness. This type of contact lens is usually worn every night while sleeping but is removed in the morning and allows nearsighted patients to temporarily see better without glasses or contact lenses. However, there are some increased risks of wearing these hard contact lenses. Cosmetic contact lenses can give the eye a more aesthetic appearance and may or may not have vision correction. However, this type of contact lens is still a medical device, requires a prescription from a doctor and has the same risks as other types of contact lenses. These risks may be increased if contact lenses are purchased online.

If you are thinking about using contact lenses for your child, you may want to see how your child handles other responsibilities, especially personal hygiene. Common behaviors that can lead to injury include wearing other children's contact lenses; use saliva to moisten contact lenses; failure to follow instructions from an eye care professional; and wearing cosmetic contact lenses purchased without a prescription from a doctor such as from flea markets, cosmetic stores, the internet, and other sources.
In fact, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, about 13,500 (or a quarter) of the more than 70,000 children visit the emergency room each year for injuries and complications caused by medical devices that can related to contact lenses. Problems from contact lenses include eye infections and abrasions, which means a child's eyes can be bruised from contact lenses.
The most serious risk is ulceration (severe infection) of the cornea, which is the front part of the eye that helps protect the eye from germs, dust, and other harmful materials. Ulcers are rare, but if not treated and controlled quickly, can lead to permanent vision loss. Not taking the necessary safety precautions can greatly increase your risk of developing an ulcer. Eye care professionals do not recommend contact lenses (contact lenses that can be worn overnight or during sleep) for children and adolescents because they may increase the incidence of corneal ulcers.
Another point to consider is that children with seasonal allergies are often not ideal candidates for contact lens wear. Contact lenses can cause increased itching and burning due to allergies in children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), water can cause soft contact lenses to change shape and stick to the eye. This is uncomfortable and can scratch the cornea, making it easier for germs to get into the eye and cause an infection.
There are different types of germs in water that can cause eye infections, but one is particularly dangerous, one of which is called Acanthamoeba, which is commonly found in tap water, lake water, well water, and water. other water sources. This germ can cause a very serious eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is often very painful and difficult to treat, sometimes requiring treatment for 6-8 years or more. Although rare, this type of infection can lead to a corneal transplant or blindness.
For children who wear contact lenses, it is best to remove contact lenses before bathing, swimming or using hot tubs and never wash or store contact lenses in water. It is important to wash and dry hands before handling contact lenses, and to clean the contact lens case with solution instead of water to avoid contaminating the water with germs.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Hospitals under the nationwide health system, please book an appointment on the website for service.

References: babycenter.com, fda.gov, verywellhealth.com

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