Vision problems are on the rise for kids in Australia. In fact, one in four Australian children is living with an undiagnosed eye problem.
With so many children beginning to struggle with vision problems, there’s also an increase in the need for glasses and contact lenses.
Are you considering getting contact lenses for your child? Are you a little nervous about whether they’re a good fit for them?
If you’re on the fence about contacts for kids, keep reading.
Listed below are eight things you ought to consider before you buy them.
1. Some Kids are Better Candidates than Others
It’s a misconception that contact lenses are only for teenagers and adults.
There are plenty of children who do just fine while wearing prescription contact lenses. At the same time, though, some children are better candidates for contacts than others.
If you’re not sure if your child is ready for contact lenses, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do they have good personal hygiene habits?
- Do they keep their room and bathroom clean?
- Do they follow through with their other responsibilities (schoolwork, chores, etc.)
- Do they need frequent reminders to keep up with everyday tasks?
If your child has good personal hygiene and doesn’t have trouble keeping up with everyday responsibilities, they can likely handle the responsibility of wearing contact lenses.
If they’re a bit careless or irresponsible, you may want to work with them on these things before you purchase contacts for them.
2. Contacts are Great for Sports
If your child plays sports or is generally active, contact lenses are a great option to consider.
Contact lenses provide them with a lot of flexibility and will save them from having to continually push a pair of glasses up the bridge of their nose while they’re playing sports, dancing, or participating in other extracurricular activities.
Contact lenses can reduce injury risk, too. If their glasses are struck and break while playing, they could end up with a serious eye problem.
Contacts improve your child’s vision without creating any kind of discomfort or safety issue.
3. Contacts Can Boost Self-Esteem
In a perfect world, your child would feel confident while wearing glasses to correct their vision problems. That’s not always the case, though.
Some kids simply feel better and more like themselves when they’re wearing contacts instead of glasses.
If your child regularly complains about wearing glasses, or if they conveniently “forget them” when they leave for school each day, contacts might be a good option to try instead.
4. Parents Need to Teach Healthy Habits
As a parent, it’s important to understand the key role you play in ensuring your child becomes a successful contact lens wearer.
You will need to work with them and teach them how to keep their contacts clean and well-maintained.
You may also have to remind them to take their contacts out, clean them properly, or store them in their case for the first few days or weeks after they get them.
Before you purchase contacts for your child, make sure that you are up to the task of getting them in the habit of caring for them first.
5. Kids Must See an Eye Doctor First
Before your child gets contact lenses, they need to see the optometrist first.
An optometrist will ensure that your child gets the right pair of contact lenses for their specific needs.
The optometrist can also provide you with tips to help your child get used to wearing contacts and get in the habit of caring for them the right way.
Always buy your child’s contact lenses from a registered optometrist. Don’t try to purchase discounted lenses, even if you’re shopping for a non-prescription pair.
6. A Slow Transition Works Best
If your child has been wearing glasses for a long time, it’s best to transition them slowly from glasses to contacts. They don’t have to throw them away and wear contacts all the time right from the start.
When they get their first pair of lenses, continue to use their glasses as their primary vision correcting method. Then, they can try wearing contact lenses on the weekends so they can practice in a low-stakes way.
Once they’re comfortable with that, they can try wearing their lenses at school or during the week, too.
7. Daily Disposables are a Good Option
If you’re worried about your child’s ability to keep their contact lenses clean and in good shape, you may want to start them with daily disposables.
Daily disposables eliminate the need for cleaning and the need for specific storage practices.
They’re much more convenient and are great for your kids and those who don’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping things clean.
8. Contact Lenses Can Slow Nearsightedness Progression
There is some research that suggests that wearing contact lenses can also slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Vision problems, in general, are on the rise among Australian kids, but nearsightedness is increasingmore than other vision issues.
A certain type of contact lenses, known as orthokeratology, help to change the shape of the cornea, which is the clear front portion of the eye.
These lenses are meant to be worn at night. They change the shape of the cornea while the wearer sleeps, and then the wearer doesn’t have to worry about wearing lenses or glasses during the day.
Order Contacts for Kids in Perth Today
In a lot of cases, purchasing contacts for kids can be a great option.
Contact lenses give them the flexibility they need while playing sports or engaging in other activities, and there’s no risk of them losing them or breaking them — which isn’t always the case when you’re dealing with regular eyeglasses.
Are you ready to buy contacts for your kids? Before you go ahead and order them, be sure to schedule an eye exam.
If you live in or around the Perth area, come see us at Ezekiel Eyes today.
We make it easy and convenient for you to schedule your kids’ exam and order their first pair of contact lenses.