What is the youngest a child should be to get contact lenses! I had an debate with sister in law about it . I?

Question

The child is 8 and wants to play basketball. I told her he should have special eye protection with unbreakable lenses such as goggle type glasses. She says she wants to get contacts!

Answer 1

when the child starts acting mature and responsible

Answer 2

Children eye shapes change often, so she would need to see the eye doctor at least once per year and maybe twice to make sure their base curve hasn't changed. And it is important the child will take care of thier lenses, most adults can't even care for them properly. If the child gets an infection it could do perminate eye damage. Most importantly she'll need to find an optomitrist that is willing to give an eight year old contacts (some will and some won't). Not to mention if the child gets hit in the eye, what's going to protect it. I would definatly ask the doctor if that is ok. Personally, I think gogles are a much better choice. They have some really cool looking ones now. They will let him/her see and protect thier eye.

Answer 3

Our family just went through this. My youngest, 10, wanted contacts. The eye doctor, who we have been seeing for 5-6 years, explained there is no set age to getting them. He said he had a second grader get them because the parents insisted on it. The hurdle is being able to touch the eye to put the contact in. Our oldest child, 14, also wanted contacts. Each of them went through an exam with the doctor to see if they were able to have contacts. They were given a set of contacts as a trial pair. The trial lasted 2 weeks. Both children are able to put contacts in & take them out, & care for them. The cost is a little less than glasses which neither would wear because they hated their glasses so much. Some doctors will allow contacts in young children some won't. By the way, I have seen contacts pop out of the eye during a basketball game. They are not foolproof.

Answer 4

Well, contrary to what I would have thought, which was to agree with you, the contactlens.org web site says that contacts are best for playing sports, but also recommend wearing protective goggle over them. They also say even babies can wear contacts! That was a surprise to me.

Of course, other sites say waiting till you're a teenager is better. A lot depends on the maturity of the child. Is she responsible? Contacts require daily care and maintenance, plus they're quite expensive.

Answer 5

Eight is too young, in my opinion. I'd wait until the kid is at least a teenager. The wearer needs to be responsible enough to do the extra care that's required with contact lenses, and to not sleep with them. An 8 year old isn't going to have that yet, I think.

Answer 6

While I understand how she feels, most optometrists will not allow anyone who is under the age of 13 or 14 to have contacts. Contact your optometrist and see what they say. Personally I think she is too young, as contacts are expensive and require a LOT of care.

Answer 7

15 or 16 only if the child is responsible.

Answer 8

The best person to answer your question is the eye doctor.

Answer 9

It isn't a number--its when he is old enough to brush his teeth without being told!