Eye health problems can be experienced by people of all ages. Of course, this eye problem also occurs in children. With the high number of eye health problems in children, as a parent of course you have to know whether using contact lenses for children is safe or not. Therefore, we will find out together whether contacts are safe to use and how to choose contacts for children.
for the use of glasses themselves, this can be done to children at the age of 6 years. But, can contacts be used on children? and if they are allowed to be used, what is the minimum age limit for children to be able to use contacts? We will find out about this together through this article.
Minimum Age Limit for Children to Wear Contacts
According to the American Optometric Association also known as AOA, there are slight differences in the permitted and appropriate ages for children to wear glasses and contact lenses.
According to the Association, which is based in Missouri, America, they strongly recommend that introducing contact lenses to children can be started and done later at a minimum age of 10 to 12 years. However, of course, it is only an introduction, because for its use, it is recommended at a minimum age of 13 to 14 years.
The difference in the age of wearing glasses and eye lenses is of course greatly influenced by how to use and care for the two tools that will be used. Of course, if you wear glasses, it will be much easier than using contact lenses. The reason is, that glasses only need to be installed by connecting them between the earlobes.
Meanwhile, to use contact lenses themselves, you need to place them right on the surface of the cornea. This of course requires quite a bit of extra effort for the child to be able to place it into the eye. Apart from that, caring for contact lenses is also much more difficult because they must always be sterile so they are free from bacteria and dirt.
How to Choose the Right Contacts for Kids
As we said before, we will explain to you how to choose a good contact for your child. Immediately, here are several steps you can take.
Choose the type of Contact Lens That Suits Your Needs
Before buying contact lenses, you should know what type of contact lenses you need.
- Contact lenses are generally divided into 3 types, namely soft lenses, hard lenses, and special contact lenses.
- If you have vision problems such as minus or plus eyes, you can choose soft lenses.
- However, if you have eye problems that dry out quickly or easily, hard lenses may be an option.
- Meanwhile, special contact lenses are usually intended and specially designed for people with certain eye conditions, such as an abnormally shaped cornea (keratoconus).
- Of course, it would be better if you consult first with an ophthalmologist before buying contact lenses.
See also : How to Wear and Care Your Lenses
Pay Attention to the Water Content on the Contacts
Paying attention to the water content in the contacts you will wear to your child is something you should also pay attention to. This is very important for you to do, especially if you have a child with eyes that dry easily.
Wearing contacts with inappropriate water content can cause discomfort and can even be very risky and can cause irritation. Generally, the higher the water content in a contact lens, the more oxygen can reach the cornea.
Find Out About the Usage Period of the Contacts That Will be Used
Regarding the duration of use of the contacts, which may currently be available on the market, they vary greatly. Of course, you can choose the right contact lenses using the method of first determining the duration according to your needs.
There are also types of contact lenses that can be worn for 2 weeks to 3 months. Some can be used once a day.
These are some of the best ways to choose contacts for your child. Of course, when you choose, it must be done with the guidance of a doctor or expert, because this will help in finding the best contact that is suitable for your child.