Children wearing contact lenses

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Cherry_Bomb wrote: »

We're definitely going to go to the opticians but just thought I'd ask about before then.

I would obviously help him until he's more confident (and able) doing it himself. He's so desperate to get rid the glasses so it's worth a try

On the basis of ease and hygiene, if the optician OKs it, I'd recommend daily disposables. They're my favourite by far.

And prescription goggles are great. My lenses came out even with goggles.

Hermia

I wore mine from the age of 11 and don't think I could have coped with them before that. I just wonder if a 6 year old would have the maturity to deal with an eye situation if he was at school or at a friend's house. Sometimes something can get in your eye or the lens can misbehave and it needs to come out straight away. An untrained person can't get it out for him so he would need to feel confident about dealing with it himself.

dizziblonde

I wore them from about age 14 until I left uni and had to pay for my own! Tried to re-wear them in recent years and the optician never managed to get the prescription to where it didn't annoy the hell out of me (I need toric lenses so they're a bit more finickety to get the correct prescription on them with a bit of trial and error) so gave up again.

zippybungle

6 years old seems far too young to me! I have never heard of anyone so young wearing lenses.
I wear glasses myself, but my kids don't. If they did though I wouldn't even consider lenses till they were 12 at the very earliest!

Zippy x

Errata

Young children manage to have all manner of invisible gunk on their hands which transfers to their eyes when they rub them, causing problems.

Sunny_spell

My daughter has been wearing daily contact lenses since she was 10. She does gymnastics and athletics training so it's brilliant to wear lenses instead of glasses. We went to Specsavers where she usually has her eye test every 12 months and she had assessment before her optician was happy for her to try contact lenses. She tried 3 different types until she was comfortable with them. She learnt to put the lenses on and take them off at Specsavers (had a special session with an assistant) but I wear contact lenses so she was already familiar with the process and I supposed was confident to handle them. She was given a free 2 week trial during which she wore lenses just 2 then 4 then 6 hours per day and after the trial had an appointment with her optician again who was very supportive and absolutely brilliant. My daughter washes her hands before putting on /taking her lenses off and she does it at her desk with a mirror & box of tissues nearby. She wears contact lenses 7-8 hours a day,4-5 days a week now and so far is very happy with them.

michelle2008

I started wearing lenses when I was about 15 - my optician was very clear that I shouldn't wear them whil me eyes were changing.

Lenses are great -but they can be dangerous if ou don't take care of them.

Six seems far too young - but talk to your optician - things may have moved on.

Padstow

Cherry_Bomb wrote: »

My 6 year old has worn glasses since he was a baby. He absolutely needs them so its not a quetion of getting rid of them but lately he's been asking me about contacts.

There doesn't seem to be a minimum age more of a recommended age (which seems to be around 10) but i think DS would be ok with them.

Anyone have any experience of quite young children wearing contacts?

Mine started with them 15 years ago at the age of nine. Monthly disposables, but went on to dailies. Even babies are fitted with them.
You do need a specialist fitter, look on the NHS website for one.

Mine started wearing them after a sport injury when her steel glasses were smashed into her face.

snugglepet20

My daughter wouldn't wear her glasses at first and contact lenses were mentioned but she wears the glasses now - she is three. I don't know if there are any risks or issues with wearing contacts when very young. Does your son see the orthoptist - they would know all about it.

GlasweJen

I've never come across an optom who would fit a 6 year old with contacts, the usual rule of thumb is when they go to high school we let them try, a lot of kids can't cope with inserting, removing and cleaning the lenses at this age.

We usually fit monthlies or fortnightlies to our kids, they have better oxygen permeation and if they are over worn for any reason the damage is minimal.

It is the child who must insert and remove the lenses - an adult can't do this for them.