How old do you have to be to wear contact lenses?
At first glance, it might seem like contact lenses and children may not be a good match. But, in fact, contacts can be a great choice for kids. It’s just a matter of getting used to them.
In this guide, we’ll set the record straight on the age people should be to start wearing contact lenses.
At what age can you wear contact lenses?
There’s no magic number for the age you can wear contact lenses – there are no legal or regulatory age limits. In the UK, the average age at which a child is fitted for contact lenses is 13. But optometrists often fit children as young as eight or nine years old – sometimes even younger, depending on their needs and maturity levels.
So, while there is a rough age where you might consider contacts for children, there are no hard and fast rules.
Rather than age, you might want to consider levels of maturity. Any contact lens wearer should be able to:
- Handle their lenses responsibly
- Understand proper hygiene and care
- Be able to cope with correct insertion/removal
- Follow a prescribed wearing schedule.
If you don’t feel that your child is ready to wear contact lenses yet, then you may want to wait a little longer before you suggest contact lenses
Of course, the decision to start wearing contacts doesn’t just involve a child and their parent or guardian. You’ll need a qualified Eye Care Professional to make the necessary recommendations and prescriptions first. They’ll discuss eye health, lifestyle, and run through all the routines and responsibilities, so you and your kids can fully understand what’s required.
Can children wear contact lenses?
Children can be great candidates for contact lenses if they wear them responsibly.
Contacts can help kids feel more confident in social situations, particularly those who feel self-conscious about their glasses. Additionally, there is a range of benefits for an active lifestyle with contact lenses, helping kids move, exercise and participate in certain sports without worrying about breakages or accidents with glasses.
Throughout, parents should play a vital role in understanding levels of readiness, maturity and dexterity. You should also help your kids understand the responsibility of safe contact use – from everyday wear to hygiene and cleanliness.
Deciding on whether contact lenses are right for my child
Ability to follow directions on contact lenses
A child's ability to understand and consistently follow the instructions for lens wear and care is important. This will include remembering how long to wear them and when to remove them.
Ability to keep lenses clean
Maintaining strict hygiene is crucial to preventing eye infections. Your child must remember to wash their hands thoroughly and know the best practices of doing so before touching their lenses. They’ll also need to use the correct cleaning solutions safely. Learn more about cleaning contact lenses.
Ability to follow a regular wear schedule
Following the prescribed wearing schedule, including daily insertion and removal, is essential for eye health and safety. This means not wearing lenses for too long and replacing them as instructed by the Eye Care Professional.
Can handle contact lenses carefully without breaking or tearing
Contact lenses are delicate. Your child needs to be able to gently insert, remove, and handle their lenses without damaging them, ensuring comfort and effectiveness. If your kids are slightly heavy-handed or clumsy, that’s fine – they might just need a bit of extra help while getting used to them.
How can I get contact lenses for my child?
If you think your child is ready for contact lenses, you’ll need to take a few simple steps to get the ball rolling. Here’s what to do:
Book an eye test with a qualified Eye Care Professional
The first (and perhaps most important) step is to schedule an eye test for your child with a qualified Eye Care Professional. This will be an opportunity to check their vision and assess their readiness for lenses.
Contact lens fitting and training session
If your Eye Care Professional thinks contact lenses are a good way forward, they’ll proceed with a fitting. This will involve examining your child's eyes to make sure the lenses fit properly and provide optimal vision.
This is the stage where your child will receive the guidance they need to understand the routines and processes of wearing contacts. It’s vital for building confidence.
Follow-up appointments and ongoing care
After the initial fitting and training, follow-up appointments are essential to monitor your child's progress and eye health. The Eye Care Professional will check how the lenses are performing, ensure there are no issues, and address any questions or concerns either of you may have.
These regular check-ins are vital in maintaining healthy eyes and ensuring the contact lenses continue to work best for your child as they grow.
Check out our how to get contact lenses guide for more information.