Contact lenses can be necessary for some medical conditions and are an option for vision correction in children, according to a July 9 article from Ohio State Health and Discovery.
While certain rare conditions may require infants to wear contact lenses to develop proper vision, most young wearers seek contacts as an alternative to glasses, often due to involvement in sports or dance. The article states that parents frequently ask when their children can begin using contact lenses for these activities.
The readiness of a child to use contact lenses depends on several factors. The article outlines questions parents should consider: "Is your child responsible? Do they brush their teeth on their own? Do they have good hygiene, including washing hands well? Is your child willing to use an eye drop? Or are they afraid of eye drops? Is your child a rule follower? Will they abide by the instructions for proper lens wear? Does your child have the fine motor skills needed to apply the lenses to the surface of their own eye? Can they remove them safely on their own? Is your child motivated? (This is key. Motivation from a parent or coach isn’t enough.)" The article recommends discussing these questions with an eye doctor, who can help assess readiness based on interactions during exams.
A suggested method for testing readiness is having the child put artificial tear drops in their eyes daily over several weeks. If successful and responsible with this task, it may indicate sufficient maturity and skill for contact lens fitting. However, not all prescriptions are suitable for contacts; consultation with an eye doctor is necessary before proceeding.
Once determined ready, children will learn application and removal techniques at the doctor's office and must demonstrate proficiency before taking contacts home. Some children achieve this quickly while others need multiple visits. Parental supervision remains important even after successful training. The article also advises that all children should maintain updated glasses as backup: "If an eye becomes red or irritated, contact lens wear should be discontinued until a cause is determined and it’s determined safe to resume wearing lenses." Wearing contacts is described as a privilege requiring ongoing care under professional guidance.
Ohio State Health and Discovery provides resources on wellness topics such as health equity initiatives, advances in research and education, patient care at hospitals and outpatient facilities within its academic medical center, and community health efforts across Ohio and globally—all aiming to advance inclusive well-being—according to the official website.
