Is Your Teen Ready For Contacts?
Contact lenses are very popular with teenagers for a variety of reasons. For some, it's a matter of convenience. Others are more fashion conscious or just worried about their overall appearance and prefer contacts over glasses. And teens involved in sports often find contacts easier to manage than glasses.
But there is also a great deal of responsibility that comes with wearing contact lenses that many teens just do not realize. Lenses must be treated with care, and properly maintained. Prescriptions must be current, and lenses must properly fit. And since teenagers are still growing and developing, it is especially important for them to have regular eye exams with an optometrist. (Parents need to make sure that this happens)
While some optometrists will recommend contact lenses for patients as young as 8 years old, most eye doctors recommend holding off till ages 11 to 14. Of course, every child is different.
Teens should remember the following contact lens tips:
- Always follow the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before applying or removing contact lenses.
- Never use anything other than contact lens rinse or solution to clean contacts (even tap water is a no-no).
- Use contact lens solution only once - never reuse.
- Follow the eye doctor’s advice about swimming or showering in your lenses.
- Always remove your lenses if they are bothering you or causing irritation.
- Never sleep in your lenses (except for extended wear lenses).
- Only wear lenses prescribed by an eye doctor.
- Never purchase cosmetic lenses without a prescription!
And of course, contact our office if you have any questions.