Contact lenses can be a fantastic alternative to glasses.
You don’t have to worry about them breaking while playing sports, they won’t fog up when you come in from the cold, and some people simply prefer how they look without glasses. However, a lot of parents worry about getting contacts for their children. At Optometrists’ Clinic, we want to ease your mind by busting five common myths about kids and contact lenses. 1. Kids aren’t old enough to wear contacts Contact lenses aren’t just for grown-ups. In fact, kids as young as eight years old are able to easily insert and remove contacts. Of course, they need to be taught how, but in most cases they can pick it up nearly as quickly as the average adult. 2. Kids won’t be able to look after them Some parents worry that their kids won’t be able to properly care for their contacts. In truth, this isn’t a problem for most children, since caring for contacts is relatively straightforward. However, if this is something you’re concerned about, daily disposable contact lenses can be a great option. With these contacts, your child will use a fresh pair each day, so they don’t have to worry about maintaining a lens care routine. 3. Kids are more likely to have problems with contacts than adults Actually, kids don’t run into complications with their contacts any more than adults do. As long as they insert and remove their contacts properly and care for them as instructed, the risk of complications remains low. 4. Kids need a stable prescription before getting contacts It’s true that children’s prescriptions tend to change as they get older. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t wear contact lenses. If anything, your optometrist may recommend your child use daily disposable lenses until their prescription stabilizes. 5. Kids don’t need glasses if they have contacts Just like adults, kids shouldn’t rely solely on their contact lenses. There are times when contact lenses aren’t an option, for example, in the case of an eye injury or infection. Additionally, your child shouldn’t wear their contacts for more than 12 hours a day, so it’s important to always have a pair of glasses with their current prescription on hand. Visit an optometrist in the Edmonton area If you want to know whether contact lenses are right for your child, one of our optometrists at Optometrists’ Clinic would be happy to answer your questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in the Edmonton area.