Children are
as self-conscious about their glasses as teenagers; more so, in fact. Glasses can
subdue the liveliest of kids. Children do see the alternatives advertised –
contact lenses. It’s no wonder that they long for contacts. Are they ready for
it, though?
Emotionally, yes
The first day
they go to school with their glasses on, children are often so embarrassed,
they wish they could disappear. That’s how ill at ease they are. Their friends
add to their torment with their unrelenting teasing. When they do forget for a
while that they have their glasses on, their obstructed peripheral vision teases
them into remembering their sad lot. They sure are ready to be rid of these
tormentors that sit right on their noses.
Maturity-wise, no
Children are
so given to living in the moment that it is often impossible for them to
remember all the safety measures that they need to adopt when they use contacts.
Disinfecting their lenses properly, remembering to take them off before a nap
–it can be too much for them. Their day in school makes it impossible for them
to keep away from dust or flecks of pencil shavings, etc. all day, too. How could
an active boy on the playground expect to keep away from dust, even if he
remembered to?
What’s a parent to do?
It’s hard for
the parent to make the right decision. Contact lenses will give the child his
self-esteem back. It may do the opposite, too. Sometimes, contacts are quite
uncomfortable the first few days. This may be quite disconcerting and may make the
child feel worse. If he passes this test, there is still the fear of dust
getting in and abrading the eyes and the lenses. It is a challenge to keep the
lenses clean and germ-free. A child cannot be very careful all the time. He may
keep losing his lenses, too.
Waiting a little may be a good idea
It is often a
good idea to wait for a child to reach a responsible age. Eyes are precious and
a child’s eyes are more precious still. When your child learns to make his bed
each morning, put his bag and school shoes in the right places when he comes
back from school and finish his homework on his own, he may be ready for his
contacts.
It could make
sense to wait even longer. There is so much to remember. Not only do lenses
need to be kept clean, lens care products have to be kept clean, too. There is
the contact lens case, the saline solution and the cleaning and disinfecting
solution. The tips of the bottles mustn’t touch any surface. Dust shouldn’t
accumulate on the bottles. It isn’t enough to just know this. A child needs to
be able to follow all the needed instructions. Waiting, therefore, won’t hurt
at all.
Don’t compromise on the quality of the
lenses
If you
determine that your child really is ready, consider getting the best lenses you
can afford. Buying online at a store such as Next Day Lenses could make your
money go farther. Children need lenses that allow them to easily take nap. Daily
disposable soft lenses have the advantage that they do away with the need to
clean and disinfect daily. They can just be thrown away prior to a nap. Doctors
find these to be the healthiest contacts to wear. They are soft, moist and are
best suited to those with allergies.
To conclude
It can be
hard for a parent to resist when a child wants contact lenses more than
anything else. Nevertheless, parents need to remember that contact lens use
happens to be a leading cause of eye infections among children. They need to be
firm if their children are not truly ready.
Elizabeth
Garvey is an optical technician who specializes in children’s eye health. Her
articles mainly appear on health and parenting blogs.
Photo credits: clarksoneyecare.com
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