From What Age Can Children Wear Contact Lenses?

There are no hard and fast rules. It depends on individual factors such as the child’s maturity, the size of their eyeballs, and prescription. We have fitted children successfully from as young as six. Children who are incredibly careful and sensible can wear contact lenses. If your child understands the responsibility needed when wearing lenses. please note, they must be able to demonstrate they can carefully insert and remove their lenses confidently.

Is It Safe for Children to Wear Lenses?

Safety is our number one priority with all wearers, but in particular with children. The main factors that used to be a barrier in allowing children to wear lenses successfully used to be:

• The risk of infection – usually resulting from poor cleaning compliance 

• Problems resulting from overwear – the lenses did not let sufficient oxygen to the eye during the wearing schedule.

Happily, we can report that both of the above factors have been greatly reduced.

With the advent of disposable lenses, the risk of infection is vastly lower as lenses are replaced more frequently. Daily disposable lenses, in particular, are the ideal choice for children as they require no cleaning, and parents can be sure that a new fresh clean lens is put in every day. 

Overwear problems also these days are greatly eliminated. Children can wear lenses full time - although we recommend they are mostly worn during essential times such as the school day hours. The new lens materials give much better oxygen transmission through the lens, making them safe even for children.

Please be aware that adjusting to contact lenses can take some time and patience, so your child really must want to use them.

What Type of Contact Lenses Are Best for Children?

Like adults, no two children are the same. Lenses are carefully selected after discussing with the child and their parent/career. Some children may best be suited to daily lenses if they are only wearing their lenses for sport. However, if a child has a very high complicated prescription this may not be available in daily lenses. Picking a contact lens type will depend on specific factors such as your child’s prescription, shape, and size of the eye, lifestyle, and personality. As a general rule, however, the best lenses are the ones that the child finds the easiest to insert and remove, look after and adapt to. Rest assured, our optometrists are here to help you and your child find the perfect lens type and guide you through the whole process.

What Are The Benefits of Contact Lenses For Children?

• Contact lenses may boost your child’s confidence and make them more comfortable with their appearance

• Some contact lenses have UV protection, therefore, reducing their risk of UV-induced ocular conditions in later life

• Your child can wear lenses while playing sports as they will improve their field of vision and comfort level

My Child is Short-Sighted, Can Contact Lenses Help Manage This?

Yes, there is a specific range of contact lenses that are specially designed to manage the progression of Myopia (short-sightedness). Click here for more information on Myopia Management.