Children wearing contact lenses

MissSunshine

DS1 started wearing glasses at 5, he's short sighted so wears them all the time, except at school playtime and when he plays sports.

He's a keen rugby player since he was 7, and just before his 9th birthday he had a contact lens suitability appointment with his well known high street optician's. He had to demonstrate that he could take them in and out confidently before being considered to even trial them. 2 different days and 3 hours later the opticians refused, even though I could demonstrate that I could do it for him as I'd been a lens wearing for 16 years, from monthly to now dailies and never had any problems.

Although I felt frustrated for DS1, as we were similiar prescriptions so I understand what he can't see when he's playing rugby, I left it alone for a while.

Last summer age 10 we changed opticians to an independant who also runs the hospital eye clinic, with a view to trying to getting contacts again. I will never have proof that somehow the high street optician had got it wrong, but having had only slighty worsening eyes year on year from 5-9, his prescription jumped from -2.5 to -4.5 and the latter was most definately the correct one.

On the basis of such a swing the lens' had to be put on hold and he was put on 6 monthly checks, which he's just had, eyes haven't dramatically changed and due to rugby season being nearly over, he's not going until the summer hols for a lens appointment.

My goal now that his eyes are much worse than mine is to get some dailies that DS1 can use occasionally just for rugby matches so he can actually see clearly what's going on in the game. Fortunately he doesn't mind wearing his glasses, however even if he didn't, our eyes are so precious that I wouldn't and won't let him wear them more than once a fortnight, eight months of the year, due to his age and know myself how sometimes lens' can irritatate due to dry eyes etc and how clumsy some boys can be.

igolenses

MissSunshine wrote: »

DS1 started wearing glasses at 5, he's short sighted so wears them all the time, except at school playtime and when he plays sports.

He's a keen rugby player since he was 7, and just before his 9th birthday he had a contact lens suitability appointment with his well known high street optician's. He had to demonstrate that he could take them in and out confidently before being considered to even trial them. 2 different days and 3 hours later the opticians refused, even though I could demonstrate that I could do it for him as I'd been a lens wearing for 16 years, from monthly to now dailies and never had any problems.

Although I felt frustrated for DS1, as we were similiar prescriptions so I understand what he can't see when he's playing rugby, I left it alone for a while.

Last summer age 10 we changed opticians to an independant who also runs the hospital eye clinic, with a view to trying to getting contacts again. I will never have proof that somehow the high street optician had got it wrong, but having had only slighty worsening eyes year on year from 5-9, his prescription jumped from -2.5 to -4.5 and the latter was most definately the correct one.

On the basis of such a swing the lens' had to be put on hold and he was put on 6 monthly checks, which he's just had, eyes haven't dramatically changed and due to rugby season being nearly over, he's not going until the summer hols for a lens appointment.

My goal now that his eyes are much worse than mine is to get some dailies that DS1 can use occasionally just for rugby matches so he can actually see clearly what's going on in the game. Fortunately he doesn't mind wearing his glasses, however even if he didn't, our eyes are so precious that I wouldn't and won't let him wear them more than once a fortnight, eight months of the year, due to his age and know myself how sometimes lens' can irritatate due to dry eyes etc and how clumsy some boys can be.

Please see my earlier post on overnight vision correction as this would be really helpful for your son to stop his eyesight getting worse. There is lots of research with children about this. You can Pm me if you would like more info.

The independents are better as they are able to give you a more personalised service and are not operating on a strict cost model like the chains.

Errata

igolenses wrote: »

Please see my earlier post on overnight vision correction as this would be really helpful for your son to stop his eyesight getting worse.

.

Diagnosis by internet. Who knew!

stir_crazy

gregg1 wrote: »

There is also maybe an option to get your child the lenses that they sleep in and they correct the shape of the eye whilst they sleep in them. You take them out the next morning and your vision is corrected. Then you pop them back in at night they are hard lenses though but that is not really a problem as you are asleep whilst wearing them. My daughter used them for a while but because she does not have a very good sleeping pattern, they were not really doing the job properly. But I know of others who have found these to be excellent (although they are quite pricey). Called Ortho K lenses

I'm just about to start this treatment (Also known as overnight vision correction as above). When doing some reasearch there were a lot of opticians websites saying that they can be good for children who are active as they don't need to wear anything during the day, but not many opticians in my area had even heard of it and only two actually fit these lenses.

As for the cost, I've estimated it as £508.50 for the first year (with my optician) and then a minimal cost every year after that. The first year is so expensive as there are a lot of consultations, but after the first year you just need to have a yearly inspection. If it works for me, it will work out cheaper than getting new glasses every couple of years and new contacts.

sunshinetours

igolenses wrote: »

Please see my earlier post on overnight vision correction as this would be really helpful for your son to stop his eyesight getting worse. There is lots of research with children about this. You can Pm me if you would like more info.

The independents are better as they are able to give you a more personalised service and are not operating on a strict cost model like the chains.

This does sound interesting but for children, per the BCLA

The incidence and prevalence of eye infections with these lenses is not known. It is also not known whether the risk of infection is greater for children than adults

Once these have been round longer and proven to be safe for long term eye care they sound a great option

Whilst you shouldn't be promoting your own website per forum rules I did find it useful

liubeliu

MissSunshine wrote: »

DS1 started wearing glasses at 5, he's short sighted so wears them all the time, except at school playtime and when he plays sports.

He's a keen rugby player since he was 7, and just before his 9th birthday he had a contact lens suitability appointment with his well known high street optician's. He had to demonstrate that he could take them in and out confidently before being considered to even trial them. 2 different days and 3 hours later the opticians refused, even though I could demonstrate that I could do it for him as I'd been a lens wearing for 16 years, from monthly to now dailies and never had any problems.

Although I felt frustrated for DS1, as we were similiar prescriptions so I understand what he can't see when he's playing rugby, I left it alone for a while.

Last summer age 10 we changed opticians to an independant who also runs the hospital eye clinic, with a view to trying to getting contacts again. I will never have proof that somehow the high street optician had got it wrong, but having had only slighty worsening eyes year on year from 5-9, his prescription jumped from -2.5 to -4.5 and the latter was most definately the correct one.

On the basis of such a swing the lens' had to be put on hold and he was put on 6 monthly checks, which he's just had, eyes haven't dramatically changed and due to rugby season being nearly over, he's not going until the summer hols for a lens appointment.

My goal now that his eyes are much worse than mine is to get some dailies that DS1 can use occasionally just for rugby matches so he can actually see clearly what's going on in the game. Fortunately he doesn't mind wearing his glasses, however even if he didn't, our eyes are so precious that I wouldn't and won't let him wear them more than once a fortnight, eight months of the year, due to his age and know myself how sometimes lens' can irritatate due to dry eyes etc and how clumsy some boys can be.

I am interested in this as my son cannot now wear his Sports Goggles as the school has moved on from Tag Rugby to contact Rugby (Son is 9). But school will not allow contacts during Rugby sessions as RFU forbid the use of contacts until Senior years (11+). I was shown the letter that RFU had sent to schools who request guidance.

igolenses

Sorry I don't understand. This was supposed to be meant as a helpful post. Hopefully most people would take it in that spirit.

sunshinetours

igolenses wrote: »

Sorry I don't understand. This was supposed to be meant as a helpful post. Hopefully most people would take it in that spirit.

Yes as I said I did but the rules are clear on companies posting

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs#companies

Pee

I was going to suggest overnight lenses as my optician uses those and told me about them. He is obviously an adult.

I don't know what I think about a six year old with contact lenses. I do know that I would have had a completely different childhood if I did not have to wear glasses. I am happy with who I am now and even think bullying can have some positive effects on the victim but... if I had a time machine, I think I'd take some dailies back for the 12 year old me. (Or would that change too much of what followed????)

At 16 I found that if I lost one in my eye, got dust in them/ a gust of wind dried my eye that it was sometimes very painful and scary. This just got better with experience. He'll get that experience a lot sooner. Losing one was a nightmare, but that was when they cost £50, not less than a £1. Hygiene is a major issue, and may be harder with teenage boys, but if he has a good routine by then, maybe it won't be...

I really second using an independent optician. Worth paying the extra.