Globally, an estimated 450 million children experience sight problems, with rising rates of myopia among children worldwide. Research has shown that compromised vision can negatively impact your child’s education, development, and well-being, highlighting the need for early interventions that can help preserve eye health. Vision correction tools like glasses and contact lenses are thus a necessity, especially if you want to improve your children's quality of life.

However, research shows that children wearing glasses may face higher anxiety risks due to a pessimistic view of their self-appearance, whereas contact lens wearers have reduced anxiety risk due to better peer acceptance. This indicates that contact lenses may be a more viable option for kids with vision problems. But at what age are children ready for contact lenses, and how do you help them adjust to wearing them? Here’s what you need to know:

What are contacts, and how do they work?

Contacts are discreet, round lenses that bend and focus light on the retina to provide clear vision. These tools are not bulky and give a natural look to wearers, which might be preferable to some users. Today, there is a wide variety of contact lenses online for kids who need them, making these vision correction tools more accessible for parents and kids. Several brands in the market are marked safe for children, including the Acuvue Ability 1-Day lenses and Biofinity Multifocal lenses, and can help with managing myopia and other vision correction needs. But when can children begin wearing contacts? Here’s what the experts say:

Appropriate age for contact lens use among children

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most eye experts agree that children as young as eight can start safely using contact lenses. Kids between eight and 12 years old can begin wearing contacts that help slow down nearsightedness, as prescribed by eye doctors. However, improper use of contact lenses can have several risks, including eye injury or infection. Helping your child become a responsible contact lens-wearer is, therefore, crucial to preserving your kid’s overall vision health. 

Here’s what you can do to help your kid adjust to the contact lens-wearing lifestyle:

Eye-healthy tips to remember

Take your child to an eye doctor

Before deciding to let your child try contact lenses, it’s always best to consult with an eye expert first. An eye doctor will have to assess your kid’s vision health before determining the type of lenses that can address your child’s vision needs or whether or not it’s safe to already use contact lenses, depending on your child’s condition and habits. An eye expert can also offer valuable advice and tips on contact lens care for your kid, helping ensure safe and comfortable wear.

Teach the importance of proper hygiene

You should always remind your child of the importance of washing their hands as it can prevent viruses and bacteria from infecting them and everyone else in the household. Moreover, frequently washing hands is crucial for any contact lens-wearer, especially for children who might be touching several surfaces while playing or during school. Wearing contacts can increase the risk of microbial keratitis, a contact lens-associated corneal infection that can affect your child’s vision. Make sure to teach your kid to properly wash their hands with soap and water and dry them with a lint-free cloth before touching their eyes to avoid infections. 

Take it slowly

Wearing contacts may make your child slightly uncomfortable, especially for the first few days, which is normal. Experts recommend slowly getting accustomed to wearing contacts. You can help your child adjust to wearing these lenses by not forcing them to wear contacts all day. Instead, you can let them wear their contact lenses for a specific amount of time per week, like four to five hours a day, then gradually add an extra hour each week until they’re comfortable wearing contacts for extended periods. You can ask for an eye doctor’s advice about gradually increasing wear time to be sure.

Wearing contact lenses is an effective way to help children as young as eight manage vision problems, but it also requires a lot of adjustments. Following these tips can help you help your child adjust to wearing contact lenses quickly.