From what age can you start wearing contact lenses?
A child's eye is fully developed by the age of two. Toddlers, however, aren't yet as hygienic, and that's precisely what's essential for safe contact lens wear. The right age varies from child to child. It's important that a child is motivated, can insert and remove their lenses independently, and has a strong sense of responsibility to follow the instructions. At Oogwereld, we've therefore set the age limit at 8 years old, but sometimes it's wise to wait a little longer. You know your son or daughter best, of course!
Is it safe for children to wear contact lenses?
Yes. As described above, hygiene and proper follow-up are paramount for safe contact lens wear. However, adult supervision is essential. We also keep a close eye on things. Initially, we prefer to have young contact lens wearers come in for checkups more frequently. Once the child is accustomed to wearing contact lenses, we switch to the "normal" biannual lens checkup.
When are contact lenses a smart choice for my child?
When a child plays or participates in sports, their lenses can break or their frames can become bent. It's frustrating when a playful romp ends in a trip to the optician. Contact lenses give a child more freedom of movement. Another reason is that some children don't enjoy wearing glasses. Their peers won't see a thing with contact lenses. If a child wants to wear contact lenses, we always recommend seriously exploring the possibilities.
Do contact lenses help with myopia (nearsightedness)?
In some cases, contact lenses can indeed help control myopia. They don't correct a child's negative vision, but they can slow the progression of this negative vision. Consider, for example, Night lenses.
What are the options for contact lenses for children?
Nowadays, there are countless types of contact lenses. We treat our young contact lens wearers no differently than our adult patients when choosing them. This means we first want to know how often and when the lenses will be worn, what the required correction is, and what other preferences they have. This way, we determine the best choice together with the parents and child. You and your son or daughter are therefore very welcome to come in for a personalized consultation.
