Blog
Archive for January, 2011
Should My Child Wear Contact Lenses?
- Filed under: contact lenses
Should my child wear contact lenses?
Contact lenses have become very popular in our society. Parents are now asking for their very young child to be fitted with contact lenses. Despite their popularity, contact lenses are most often not medically necessary. They are a device of which many people recognize the benefits. Unfortunately, most contact lens wearers forget the risks associated with contact lens wear. According to a recent publication, contact lens related problems account for more emergency room visits in children than any other condition.
Soft contact lenses sit on the eye’s cornea and extend just past the limbus to the conjunctiva. They block some of the oxygen reaching the cornea while correcting the optics of the eye to allow it to see clearly. The materials and design of contact lenses have improved greatly over the last 15-20 years. They are now more permeable to oxygen, which is healthier for the eye. Despite these advances, we still frequently see contact lens related problems in our office.
These problems often stem from poor contact lens hygiene. No matter how well we educate our young patients on the proper care of their contact lenses, they often pick up the bad habits of their peers or even of their parents. The contact lens related problems can range from mild, temporary conditions to severe, sight-threatening ones. Corneal ulcers and infections can permanently reduce the best corrected visual acuity of an eye, especially if not treated immediately. Corneal abrasions, or scratches to the eye, often occur as a result of trying to remove a lens that has adhered to the eye. Giant papillary conjunctivitis can result from contact lens wear and causes redness and discomfort. These are just a few common examples of problems resulting from contact lens wear.
Any parent who is considering contact lenses for her child should evaluate his general hygiene and responsibility level. If a child is begging for contact lenses and has adequate general hygiene and is responsible, then contact lenses should be considered. Keep in mind that there is an expense associated with contact lenses. Contact lenses have different replacement schedules. This must be followed as prescribed by your eye doctor, so anywhere from 12-365 contact lenses per eye per year may need to be purchased. Also, the cleaning system that is prescribed should be followed. A properly cared for set of contact lenses should require a new bottle of contact lens solution every one to two months. The contact lens case should be replaced each time a new bottle of solution is purchased. Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to deal with the expense and supervision of contact lenses, then you should talk to your child’s eye doctor.
In our office, we want our patients to go home with contact lenses that they are capable of inserting and removing on their own. Parents are not with their children in school to help with the contact lens if a problem arises. Every child should be able to take care of contact lenses independently, but with a parent’s supervision. Children are taught how to care for their contact lenses before leaving the office with them. It is recommended that parents, especially if they are contact lens wearers, listen in for a refresher in proper contact lens care.
Important: Not following the contact lens hygiene instructions exactly as prescribed puts you at a high risk of developing contact lens related eye problems that can be sight threatening. Please do not assume that because you or someone you know has been lucky enough to never have had a problem despite not exactly following the prescribing doctor’s recommendations that your child can also inadequately care for his contact lenses and be just as lucky. Remember that contact lens related eye problems are a common reason for children to visit emergency rooms. If properly cared for, your child can enjoy a lifetime of the benefits of contact lens wear.
Michelle L. Wertelet, OD, FAAO