Contact Lenses for Kids & Teens
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Questions
- Getting contact lenses for an 11 year old
- Contact lens for 6.5-year-old?
- 13-year-old is interested in trying contacts
- Teen's contacts are always getting scratched
Getting contact lenses for an 11 year old
March 2007
Last year my (then) 10 year old daughter decided to try contacts (many of her peers had switched from glasses to contacts). My husband took her and the experience did not go well.....the optometrist was not used to working with children, and although he was kind and gentle, it was too much, too fast for my daughter. Poor thing ended up passing out (she was fine with the contact in her eye but when he asked her to take it out she fainted!) and then when she came to she threw up everywhere. Talk about traumatic for everyone.
Since then she has insisted that she will NEVER wear contacts, that glasses are just fine. About a week ago she came to me and said she thinks she is ready to try again. She plays soccer and really wants to not wear glasses during games, and also she is 11 1/2 now and is a little more self conscious about her glasses. SO, I really want it to go well this time. I would love recommendations for a good, child friendly optometrist who can fit contacts. Any other tips? I don't wear glasses (or contacts) so am eager to hear from those who do or have children who do. Thanks! Karoline
I went to Rockridge Optometry when I was a little kid (and still go today) They were patient and gentle at helping me learn to take the contacts in and out. The only problem is I got hard lenses and never wore them because I never got used to them. I would only put them on for checkups and my eyes were red and teary and my optometrist and parents never seemed to notice. so if your child gets hard contacts (not sure if they even still have them) beware of that problem! happy soft contact wearer
My husband is an optometry student at the UC Berkeley Eye Center and he said the optometry clinic often fits children with contacts. Try to set up an appointment with Dr. John Corzine (available on Thurs.). Since this is a teaching clinic, there is plenty of time spent with the patients. If you want direct patient care (no students) request a resident. But even if a student starts the appointment, Dr. Corzine oversees everything. He is very compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient. UC Berkeley Eye Center 510-642-2020 Shelley
I've an excellent optometrist for you and your family - Dr. Susan Link, located at 1613 Locust St., Walnut Creek (925) 932-4362 (within Dr. Carl Hirsch's office). She loves kids and is enthusiastic, energetic, patient, caring, fun and knowledgable. She also works in a corneal surgery practice. I am also an optometrist and I go to her for my exams!
By the way, I sympathize with your daughter as I had a lousy childhood experience with an impatient ophthalmologist the first time i went to get CLs for soccer.. Tell her to have patience and it'll work out!
Dr. Link takes many insurance plans including VSP. Dan H
Contact lens for 6.5-year-old?
August 2006
Has anyone had any experience with contact lens for a young child? We are considering contacts for our 6.5 year old daughter would be interested in hearing about other people's experiences. Advice on a particular optometrist with experience with contacts for children would also be appreciated. Thanks! -tired of broken glasses
I started wearing contact lenses when I was 8 years old. The theory back then was that because gas permeable lenses hold the eye in a particular shape, they might prevent a kid's vision from worsening quickly. So basically my parents did it for my health. I hated wearing contacts. Learning to put them in my eyes was traumatizing, and led to nasty fights with whichever parent was supervising the process. I kept losing them (you think broken glasses are a pain, try looking for a contact lens on a soccer field once a week!), which annoyed my parents and stressed me out. I eventually got to the point where I would pretend to have them in and leave the house blind, then put my glasses on when I got to school. Bottom line: even if you're thinking disposable soft lenses, do not underestimate the difficulties of contacts! They are no fun for little kids! If you want to talk about this more, feel free to get in touch via email rlave
i got my contacts in 6th grade. I think it takes a certain level of maturity to deal with getting them in and out of your eyes, cleaning properly, etc. they are quite delicate. good luck jss
Personally, I don't think such a young child has the emotional maturity to wear contact lenses. Contacts take a lot of management, hygiene, and thoughtfulness to care for properly. And I certainly wouldn't be motivated to choose contacts as a way to prevent loss! Quite the contrary: contacts are fragile, expensive, and easily torn. It takes skill to manage contacts successfully and let's not forget that eye-sight is involved here and mistakes could be very costly. I began wearing contacts at 14 and think that was just about right; too much to ask of someone younger unless the issues were more compelling than loss reduction. Glasses for now
I got contact lenses as a 10-year-old because my vision was deteriorating rapidly and the optometrist felt that hard lenses would slow it down. That turned out to be true, but I lost more contacts between age 10 and age 14 than I have in the 20 years since. Contacts are harder to take care of than glasses, so even though times have changed and there are a lot more options in terms of disposable lenses etc, contacts are still more complicated than glasses, no question. If you're looking for something lower- hassle, contacts aren't it. Jennifer M
There are some medical conditions that require babies to wear contacts, so there is no such thing as too young from the doctor's perspective--I can fit any aged person in contacts. But, contact lenses in children is a tricky for other reasons, and I count on parents to help decide whether it's a good idea for their child at whatever age based on the following criteria: 1) parents have to feel that child is mentally mature enough to handle them 2) child should be able to remove them from their own eyes.
What if they are at school/daycare and there's some sort of problem--dust under lens, or something sprays in eye? Then child needs to take lens out themselves! Then, as a bonus--if one of the parents wears contacts themselves, it's much easier. At 6.5 parents will be a large component in putting the lenses on, at the very least.
The last criteria is that the prescription has to be OK for contacts. For example, if the child has a high astigmatism, they will get the best vision out of glasses. Contacts would be bad, because a child that young can still become amblyopic (lazy eye) if they have a poor image constantly (contact lens not quite sitting correctly).
The other consideration is that you have to be very diligent about making sure the child is wearing the contacts. It's easy to see if glasses are off--but contacts are easy to forget.
In general, I must say, when I consult with my patients, most feel that their 6 or 7 year old is not ready for contacts based on my criteria. But, I have fit quite a few as well. Parents usually judge girls as ready sooner than boys. Those that I have fit, I generally recommend one-day lenses if possible. The risk of contamination, etc. is far less. But, they are also more expensive for a year's supply. Rigid lenses are a very good option as well, but take some getting used to. Many parents get concerned about this adaptation time, and don't want to consider rigid lenses, but they provide great vision, are cheaper, and healthy. You might also consider Flexon frames--less easy to destruct. Optometrist
I don't know if an optometrist would even consider doing this, but as a very long wearer of contacts (all kinds) and a parent, I would NOT do this. Contacts carry all sorts of risks for corneal scratches and infections if you don't know what you're doing. They can pop out unexpectedly if you pull on your eye. I can't imagine teaching someone this young to wear them and take care the way you have to. Just my two cents. Leslie
I got contacts when I was a very near-sighted 7-year-old (23 years ago), and have worn RGP or soft lenses ever since. I have never had problems with eye health. Initially my parents helped me put them in, but I quickly started doing it myself. The worst problem I had was when the lens would get knocked out of place, and had to be shifted back, which is a bit painful, and scary for a little kid (but not a concern with soft lenses). Also, I was always getting things in my eye, which meant stopping doing whatever I was doing until the thing cleared out by itself, or removing the lens, cleaning it, and putting it back in. It's definitely harder and more of an ongoing bother than glasses. But I also remember how thrillingly clearly I could see everything on the drive back from the optometrist's that first day with contacts. And as I entered adolescence, I felt strongly that I looked more attractive wearing lenses, and it made me feel more confident. So I would say that it's probably wise to wait a few more years, and then go for it if your kid is game. You will need to provide a lot of support, though, in helping your child get comfortable with the lenses, ensuring that the child is wearing and caring for the lenses correctly, and making sure the child and caregivers/teachers are properly prepared to deal with lens emergencies. Practically Blind
13-year-old is interested in trying contacts
Nov 2004
My 13 1/2 year old son is, like both my husband and myself, fairly nearsighted (i.e. sees fine close up but needs glasses for distance). He\x92s a good-looking, athletic kid and glasses just don\x92t fit with his self-image. It\x92s been a struggle to get him to wear them when he needs them, especially in class, despite his teachers\x92 and his parents\x92 best efforts. (I did the same thing as an adolescent when my eyesight started to change, so I\x92m somewhat sympathetic.) My concern is that while he\x92s been able to get by at his small independent school, this won\x92t work at Berkeley High where he will be starting in the fall and will definitely need to have full use of all his faculties. He\x92s expressed an interest in contact lenses; can I please hear from folks whose kids have tried contacts (boys especially; he is I suspect fairly typical in that hygiene is not a high priority); what age they got them, what were the issues, has it been a success? Sarah
Both of my sons began wearing soft contacts at early ages-around 11 or so and are now 16 & 19 respectively. They both are quite responsible and one is very festidious. As they've gotten older, they actually have been a lot more comfortable wearing glasses outside the house. However, generally speaking they have always worn contacts to school after a brief period of adjustment. Their parents also wear contacts, but gas permeable. Shelley
my 13 and 15 year old kids (boy 13, girl 15) are both nearsighted, and they got soft contacts last spring. the optometrist had a contacts training appointment, where they taught them about hygiene--washing hands before putting them in, etc. they are very careful when putting the contacts in, we have had no infections or any other problems. they both managed their contacts while at sleepaway camp this summer, and do fine on overnights. they both totally love having the contacts. plus, they both remarked on the added bonus of having their peripheral vision back! www.quiltmamas.com
My 13 1/2 year old son just got contacts and really likes them. He's worn glasses since 1st grade so is really happy to be getting rid of them. He just got them....the kind that are disposable...he wears a pair per day. He's still learning how to put them in and doesn't wear them all day yet, but he really likes them and likes how he looks and feels without glasses. We go to the CAL optometry clinic for our family eye exams and glasses. (we're Kaiser members, but prefer CAl opt. for eye exams). Tell your son to go for it...enjoy the new look. anon
My very athletic and active son needed corrective lenses when he was in second grade. My husband and I are both myopic (I am off the charts) and we have both worn contacts since we were teens. We soon discovered that the glasses either didn't get worn or else he sat on them, stepped on them, lost them, stuck them in his backpack and broke them. We finally caved in and tried contacts when he was in fourth grade. I was really worried about his ability to keep them clean and lubricated, but he was really motivated and he did just fine, even at that age, with the process of cleaning and storage. We switched to disposable lenses a few years ago and have found them to be really easy and relatively cheap -- they last about twice as long as advertised. I would definitely recommend contacts for a teen, especially an athlete. My son plays lacrosse and I can't imagine how he could wear a helmet with corrective goggles or glasses -- his peripheral vision would be terrible. mother of near-sighted athlete
To answer Sarah about the contact lenses for kids/teens issue, my son needed correction for only one eye beginning in early elementary school. The opthamologist wanted him to wear a contact lens for medical reasons. It took time and effort to learn how to put it on, clean it, etc. but has been well worth it. Your optometrist can do all the training, which takes the burden off you. They can also emphasize the importance of thorough cleaning and care of the lens. He may also be able to use long term wear lenses, which are less maintenance but can be more expensive. Ellie G
My daughter was the same: 13 1/2, good looking and athletic, the glasses just kept getting smushed in the backpack. She asked to try contacts and voila! What a success. She took to them immediately (and proudly!), and takes fairly good care of them. If he is expressing interest, I think it's worth a try. Lori
My son, now 22, started wearing glasses at 8. When he was 12 he begged for contact lenses and we told him he could try them on a provisional basis, but if he got infections due to hygiene, we would take them away. He always was a good hands washer, and never had any problems at all. Getting rid of his glasses made him a lot more self- confident at a very difficult age. Since he has allergies, I consulted his allergist who recommended disposable contact lenses, to minimize longterm buildup of allergens and bacteria. His lenses are supposedly good for 3 weeks, but they usually only last about 2 weeks. Daily disposables are now available, but they are pretty expensive. I say go for it. Your son will thank you. Nancy
My very athletic and active son needed corrective lenses when he was in second grade. My husband and I are both myopic (I am off the charts) and we have both worn contacts since we were teens. We soon discovered that the glasses either didn't get worn or else he sat on them, stepped on them, lost them, stuck them in his backpack and broke them. We finally caved in and tried contacts when he was in fourth grade. I was really worried about his ability to keep them clean and lubricated, but he was really motivated and he did just fine, even at that age, with the process of cleaning and storage. We switched to disposable lenses a few years ago and have found them to be really easy and relatively cheap -- they last about twice as long as advertised. I would definitely recommend contacts for a teen, especially an athlete. My son plays lacrosse and I can't imagine how he could wear a helmet with corrective goggles or glasses -- his peripheral vision would be terrible. mother of near-sighted athlete
Teen's contacts are always getting scratched
March 1999
My 13 yr old wears contacts and there hasn't been a problem with them for 7 months. But recently, one got scratched when it fell so we had to replace it. Soon after, the contact for the other eye was terribly scratched. My son swears that it didn't fall (I believe him) yet it was badly scratched. Because he has been so conscientious I paid to replace the two contacts for a total of $300.00. He has astigmatism so his contacts are VERY expensive. And now this morning when he went to put one of his contacts in, he found it scratched. Again, it wasn't due to the contact falling, but we are at a loss as to how his contacts are getting scratched - I can't afford to replace this one. He is going to pay for it himself out of his savings.
My question is to the contact wearers out there: what could be causing the scratches, is there a step in the process of handling contacts that one has to watch for that we are missing? Please help, with all the sports he plays the contacts have been fantastic for him, but if the scratches continue, he'd really have to go back to glasses because of the cost.
Re. scratches on contacts: As a long-time wearer of gas permeable hard lenses, I can offer suggestions based only on this type of lens: Scratches can occur if the lenses are stored in a dry lens case; they should always be stored in conditioning fluid. Also, check to be sure your son is using the cleaning fluid that is specifically recommended for his brand of lenses, and that he washes his hands before handling them. Finally, his optometrist may be able to polish the lenses if they get scratched, rather than replace them. My optometrist has done that to mine on occasion and it has improved the comfort.
I asked one of the contact lens doctors here at the Optometry Clinic and he said, especially if your son is due for an exam, he could come to the clinic at UC and bring his lenses and we could evaluate the type of lenses he has and the care he is giving them and assess what the problem might be. There may be a handling problem or a storage problem or there may be another type of lens that would work better for him.
Barbara Shayesteh, Patient Services Analyst, Optometry Clinic at Minor Hall
I know that contact lenses can get beat up if they're not cleaned properly. Make sure he's using the daily cleaner, and soaking them, taking the appropriate care. Good luck (been wearing contacts since I was 15)
I suspect that the case may be the problem with the contact lenses that keep being scratched. I wore contacts for many years without scratching any of them (I'm extremely cautious in handling them); then suddenly I had several scratched contacts in a row. I told the optometrist that I suspected it was the case: I use the AOSept system, and the first scratched contact occurred shortly after I began using a new case. I had noticed that it was harder to remove the contacts from the new case--as though they had kind of a tacky surface. I asked the optometrist whether perhaps the case hadn't been sanded as well in the factory as it should have been. (It felt smooth, but the contacts were definitely harder to remove from it.) Because the case felt smooth, the optometrist was sure this couldn't be the problem, and just cautioned me to handle the lenses more carefully. After spending lots of money replacing several lenses (I too have expensive, astigmatic lenses), I bought a new case and--presto chango!--problem solved. I have never scratched a lens in the ten years since I tossed out that case.
Some possibilities for the scratches: 1. Could have been caused by his fingernails when he handles the lens, like when he takes it out from the case. Make sure he has short fingernails and that side of his finger does not touch the lens. 2. Could have been caused by the lens being caught by the lid of the lens case when he closes it. Make sure the holder is big enough. 3. If there are grooves inside the lens case, make sure they are smooth. I hope this helps. I wore contacts for a while, and currently have a pair that I only wear for performing (3 or 4 times per year). I never had trouble with scratches, but I did have trouble because one of them tore. I would postulate that the scratching comes either in the process of taking them out (he grabs them with his fingernail) or more likely, when he is cleaning them. His hands must be scrupulously clean, and there should be no rough spots on the fingers or palms. If his hands are rough from the sports, perhaps he should file them with a pumice stone, and moisturize them on a regular basis. Have you considered either: a) purchasing the lenses through the mail? There are several services that can provide them via mail. With your son's difficult prescription, this might not be possible, but if you haven't investigated, it might be worth a try. These services undercut the walk-in stores by as much as half. b) purchasing through CostCo? some locations have eyecare facilities. Might be worth a try. c) using disposable lenses? Some are now available for astigmatism. The advantages would be a smaller cost per lens (so when one gets damaged, it's not as financially painful), and fewer times to be cleaned, lessening the likelihood of damage in the cleaning process. You'd have to get your son refitted if he wants to try a new type of contact, unfortunately. All are not the same! So far I have not been able to wear disposables, though there have been changes even in the past 4 years, so I may be ready to try again. Good Luck!
Please listen to your teenager and get him contacts! He is no more likely to “lose” his contacts than his glasses but you are much more likely to lose his trust as a parent who listens to and honors their child’s experience. Wearing glasses may really be a big deal for your child and there is no practical way for you to enforce glasses.
My personal opinion is let the kid get contacts. I think the biggest con for contacts is leaving them in when sleeping which isn't great for eye health. They aren't easily lost and if he forgets to put them in he just won't be able to see. Maybe he is embarrassed about wearing glasses? If that's the case then I can completely understand the preference for contacts.
Both my daughter and I got contacts at 12. Not an issue- especially for her because we got the disposable ones. I think Biotrue will give you a months samples.
I highly recommend the one day disposable because you don’t have to worry about cleaning, infections etc.
Vision so much better forgetting to put them in isn’t an issue. Gary Osias is nice but Castro Valley.
Hello! Eye doctor here. While I appreciate how a teenager may have huge issues with wearing glasses, I would not allow anyone to be fit in contact lenses (CL) without being in glasses first (there are very few exceptions to this rule that involve medical conditions we wouldn’t wish on your kid). The reason is simple and you alluded to it in your email. People who don’t have glasses end up over wearing their contacts. This can result in a sight threatening infection to the eye (google corneal ulcer). Why? If your choices are blurry vision vs over wearing CL, people make bad choices. As a mother of teenagers, let me give you a strategy that may help depending on your teen. No glasses, no CL. Period. Teen wants to drive? Sorry. These are the rules. Now, there can be compromises—only need to wear the glasses at home and not at school. But, must do so every day. Why? The habit needs to be that kid gets home for the day, CL come off, glasses go on. This will be a good habit to get in and will promote good eye health for years to come. Start by educating yourselves (you and teen) on how to properly wear CL, and the consequences of CL abuse. That will help your teen understand the responsibility that must go along with CL wear and the sensible rules you are putting in place to protect their vision. And—here’s another incentive, a scarred eye from CL abuse will make it much more difficult to have LASIK later and may cause them not to be a candidate. (And I can’t offer to be your kid’s eye doc because I work at the place where you had your bad experience—sorry!)
My kiddo, 13, wanted contacts not glasses. We got both, to have glasses for backup. I was sure that contacts were not a good idea due to the chore of putting them in and taking them out. But she was motivated and managed it all very well. We got the daily disposable kind to simplify the care component. With being at home and on screens last year for school she didn’t wear either much at all. Back to school last April she wore the contacts diligently for 6 weeks then declared it was too much work putting them in and taking them out and they were kind of irritating. Now she mostly wears the glasses! She gets compliments. She uses the Contacts for beach or more active days.
We went to the same eye outfit as you and told them we wanted contacts. They tried out three different styles of contacts to find the most comfortable fit. They helped her practice putting them in and taking them out multiple times.
A few times she has forgotten to take them out at night then it’s really difficult and uncomfortable the next morning to change them. Her eyes have different prescriptions so she has to track which contact lens goes in which eye.
So, yes to contacts! My kiddo just turned 14 so driving is a bit away.
Good Luck! I know I didn’t really answer your question but wanted to share our experience so far.
It sounds like you don't wear contacts. They aren't all that difficult to deal with, and if your son is highly motivated to wear them I'm not sure why you don't think he'll not be responsible wearing them. Let him give them a try! It will also show him that you respect his opinion on what is best for him.
Not a doctor recommendation, but would like to suggest daily contacts. He can’t lose them, because he puts them in in the morning and takes them out and discards them every night (you’d have to make sure he does—but that’s like anything else, toothbrushing, etc). They are comfortable and low-maintenance and would like be a very good fit for a forgetful teen. It is more waste, but companies would recycle the packaging for free. And the cost spread is quite high in % but not in actual cost ($200-400 annually, depending on the contacts type and your insurance). Good luck!
What a challenge! And kudos to you for being sensitive to your child's distress.
I had a similar situation with both of my children in that they wanted to wear contacts rather than glasses, particularly one who needs bifocals and could not adjust to progressive lenses. I live across the bay now, so where we went is perhaps too far for you to consider, but I'll share it nonetheless. I took them to the resident eye doctors at LensCrafters in Menlo Park. Of the three doctors we saw, all did not hesitate to go straight to contacts with glasses as backup, particularly because both play sports. Both now young adults wear AcuVue Oasys daily wear lenses. They are expensive, yet easy for this age group. I use my FSA funds to pay for them pre-tax. My kids have been wearing these contacts for years without any adverse incidents or infections, even when they have occasionally forgotten to take them out before swimming, showering, or sleeping (definitely not advisable!).
Good luck!
Dr. Sakai at Rockridge Optometry is great with my teens (who have been seeing her since they were pre-teens). My son has contacts AND glasses - you need glasses for when you take out your contacts in the evening or for first thing when you wake up! - and he has daily disposable contacts which really removes the issues of losing or cleaning them. If your son really wants contacts he might surprise you with being very responsible about them; this was our experience.
My son needed vision correction at age 11 and was also very opposed to the idea of glasses. We did get him a pair of glasses as a back up but he wears contacts most of the time and almost exclusively at school. He wears his glasses around the house or when he feels like his eyes need a break. It turns contacts are not hard to get used to and they will usually recommend one time use contacts for kids, which don't require cleaning. If they get lost, no big deal! It took my son just a few tries before he was comfortable putting them in. I also know an 8 year old who wears contacts without any issue and is able to put them in himself. Let him give the contacts a try and then decide if he's responsible enough. I think that once he gets to experience the joy of seeing the world CLEARLY he'll be very careful to take care of his lenses. We go to the El Cerrito Optometry, I think Dr Ezumi has good bedside manner.