Here at Dr. Gilberg & Associates, one question our specialists are often asked is: “Is my child old enough to wear contact lenses?” And that’s completely understandable. After all, contact lenses offer a myriad of benefits over other vision correction methods, such as eye glasses. But how do tell it’s the right time for your child to wear contacts?
It may surprise you to know that, physically, your child’s eyes are ready for contacts at a very young age. In fact, it’s not uncommon for babies to be fitted with contacts due to an eye condition that’s present at birth, such as congenital cataracts. In fact, in a recent study that involved fitting nearsighted children of ages 8-11 with one-day disposable daily contact lenses, 90 percent of the kids had no trouble applying or removing the contacts without assistance from their parents.
It’s a Simple Matter of Maturity
Allowing your child to wear contact lenses is a simple matter of deciding whether they’re mature and responsible enough to insert, remove and take proper care of their contact lenses. To get an idea, observe how well they respond to their responsibilities at home. If good grooming habits are not your little one’s strong suit and you need to constantly remind them of their daily chores, then perhaps it’s not the right time for contact lenses. However, if they’ve shown they can handle responsibilities well, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to wear contact lenses.
Contact Lenses for Sport
If your child is an active little sportsman, contacts can offer a number of advantages over glasses. Unlike eye glasses, contacts don’t get knocked off, get streaked with perspiration, or fog up. The peripheral vision you get with contact lenses is also significantly better than what you get from eye glasses.
Glasses Will Still Be Required
Getting contact lenses doesn’t mean your child never has to wear glasses again. They’ll still need an up-to-date pair of eye glasses. Contact lenses cannot be worn at all times. In order to let the eyes breathe, contacts need to be removed at least one hour before bed time. Moreover, contact lenses should be immediately removed if they cause redness and discomfort.
Providing digital eye exam miami to all in North Miami, Dr. Gilberg & Associates can help you with whatever vision problem you may have. We also provide care for eye diseases and are connected with some of the best eye doctors in the state in case you require surgery. Book an appointment online for an eye exam in North Miami or call 786-500-2020 to talk to a representative.
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