Can My Child Wear Contact Lenses?

Have you thought about the possibility of contact lenses for your child, but maybe dismissed the thought assuming that they are too young? Contact lenses may be a viable option for your child and here are some questions and answers to help you decide:

Question: Does a child's prescription need to be stable before they can be fit with contact lenses? 

No. Most prescriptions continue to change as a child grows, and contact lenses can change with it. Children are often fit with daily disposable contact lenses, and any prescription changes can be easily updated.

Question: Can children handle wearing contact lenses?

Yes. Even young children can be fit with contact lenses. With appropriate instruction, most children can put contact lenses in their eyes and remove them easily. Children are also just as capable as looking after their contact lenses as an adult. An Optometrist will always consider a number of factors with a child's family to decide if contact lenses are appropriate, such as the child's maturity, their current activities and motivation to wear them.

Question: How do I know if contact lenses are a better option for my child than glasses? 

Ask yourself a few questions to help you decide. Is my child bothered by wearing glasses? Is my child responsible enough to care for contact lenses? Would contact lenses be easier for them during their sports and activities? Would their social quality of life be better with contact lenses instead of glasses?

Question: Is it safe for a child to wear contact lenses?

Absolutely, as long as they have been prescribed and fit by a regulated eye care professional such as an Optometrist.

REMEMBER - In Ontario, only a regulated health care or medical professional can prescribe and dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are a medical device and as such, anyone wearing contact lenses should receive regular exams and follow-up care to ensure that they are dong well.

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcomes infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office! Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.       

 

Think Twice Before Buying Cosmetic Contact Lenses This Year For Halloween

Thinking of buying a pair of really cool looking cosmetic contact lenses you saw in the store this year as part of your Halloween costume?  Better think twice before popping them into your eyes.   

 

We know that Halloween is a popular time for people to use decorative contact lenses to enhance their costumes. From blood-drenched vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lizard lenses, decorative contacts can certainly add a spooky, eye-popping touch.  But very few people know the risks that come with these types of lenses. Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the internet.  Consumers need to know that contact lenses are a medical device, and that there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ contact lens.  There are a whole range of ocular problems associated with improperly fitting lenses and lenses purchased without a prescription from an Optometrist.  In some cases, severe eye infections have been reported in as little as 24 hours of wear time.  

Tips for parents and consumers about cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween: 

• Go to an Optometrist for a proper contact lens assessment to ensure you have contact lenses that fit properly and are the right type for your eyes.  Lenses that are not properly fitted can scratch and cause damage to the eye.

• Never buy decorative contact lenses from someone that does not ask for a prescription. 

• Never wear lenses that are torn or discoloured. Contact lenses should always be inspected to make sure that they are safe to wear. Cosmetic contact lenses purchased from a non-regulated source could be defective, used, expired or not approved for wear in Canada.  

• Never share lenses with someone else. Swapping contact lenses significantly increases the risk of contamination and the spread of infection.  
  
  
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless your Optometrist has provided you with an appropriate extended wear lens.  Over-wearing contact lenses can cause oxygen deprivation to the eye, which can cause long-term vision problems. 

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.