Contacts for Kids
When Your Child Might Be Ready for Contact Lenses
There is no strict minimum age for contact lenses, because readiness depends more on maturity than on a specific birthday. Some responsible eight-year-olds can manage daily contacts very well, while some teenagers may struggle with the routine. We look at whether your child can follow a schedule, wash their hands without reminders, and handle delicate tasks.
During your consultation, we will talk with both you and your child to gauge their interest and understanding. Children who want contacts because they are excited to care for them often do better than those who feel pressured by parents or peers.
Certain behaviors show that a child is prepared to wear and care for contact lenses safely. We look for kids who already take care of their belongings, follow hygiene routines like brushing teeth consistently, and ask questions about how contacts work.
- They remember to clean their glasses or retainer regularly
- They can wash their hands thoroughly before touching their face
- They express genuine interest in trying contacts rather than being pushed into it
- They understand that skipping steps can lead to eye infections
Some children benefit from contact lenses for medical reasons beyond cosmetic preferences. Kids with high prescriptions or large differences between the two eyes may see more clearly and comfortably with contacts than with glasses. Children born with cataracts or certain corneal conditions may need specialty contact lenses as part of their treatment plan.
We may recommend rigid gas permeable (GP) or scleral lenses to improve vision in keratoconus or other irregular corneas. These lenses do not slow disease progression. To halt progression in appropriate patients, corneal cross-linking may be recommended in coordination with a cornea specialist. Early diagnosis and timely treatment protect long-term vision. In 2025, we also fit orthokeratology lenses for some children to help manage myopia progression overnight. These lenses are worn overnight and require meticulous hygiene and closer follow-up.
If your child forgets daily tasks often, refuses to wash their hands before meals, or shows little interest in wearing contacts, it may be wise to wait. Contacts require consistent care every single day, and skipping cleaning or wearing lenses too long can cause serious infections.
We also recommend waiting if your child has frequent eye allergies that are not well controlled, because allergens can stick to lenses and make symptoms worse. Once allergy management improves or your child matures, we can revisit the conversation.
Types of Contact Lenses for Children
Daily disposable lenses are the most popular choice for children and teens because they require the least maintenance. Your child wears a fresh, sterile pair each day and throws them away at bedtime, so there is no need for cleaning solutions or storage cases. This simplicity reduces the risk of infections caused by improper lens care.
We often recommend daily disposables for beginners, athletes, and children with allergies. The main drawback is that they can cost more over time than reusable lenses, but many families find the convenience and safety worth the investment.
Center-distance dual-focus or multifocal soft contact lenses are designed to slow myopia progression in children when worn consistently. These are typically prescribed as daily disposables and have shown benefit in school-age children who wear them during waking hours.
Not all prescriptions are eligible for myopia control lenses. We will discuss whether your child is a candidate and how these lenses compare with orthokeratology. Non-lens options such as low-dose atropine eye drops and increased outdoor time are also part of a comprehensive myopia management plan, and we can help you understand all available approaches.
Extended wear lenses are designed to be worn for several days or even weeks without removal, including overnight. However, in 2025, we typically do not recommend extended overnight wear for children because sleeping in any contact lens increases the risk of serious corneal infections. If extended wear is considered for a specific medical reason, we provide extra education and closer follow-up visits.
Some families prefer two-week or monthly reusable soft lenses instead, which the child removes every night and cleans with solution. These require more responsibility but cost less than daily disposables in the long run.
Gas permeable lenses, also called GP or RGP lenses, are smaller and firmer than soft contacts. They provide excellent oxygen transmission and very crisp optics for children with astigmatism or irregular corneas. Many kids find them less comfortable at first, but most adapt within a week or two. We usually build up wear time over one to two weeks to allow comfortable adaptation.
We may recommend GP lenses for children with keratoconus or high astigmatism that soft lenses cannot fully correct. These lenses often last longer than soft lenses, but scratches or prescription changes may require earlier replacement.
Orthokeratology lenses, often called ortho-k, are rigid lenses worn only during sleep to gently reshape the cornea. Many children can see clearly for most or all of the day without additional correction, though some may need glasses later in the day as the effect wears off. Research in 2025 shows that ortho-k can slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, making it a valuable option for kids with myopia.
Because ortho-k is worn overnight, careful hygiene and follow-up are essential to reduce infection risk. We teach a strict cleaning protocol, schedule early follow-ups at about 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month, then at 3 months and every 6 to 12 months, and monitor corneal shape with topography at each visit. Do not wear lenses when eyes are red or if your child is ill.
We also fit scleral lenses for children with severe dry eye, corneal scars, or extreme irregular astigmatism. These large-diameter rigid lenses vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, creating a fluid-filled space that protects and hydrates the eye surface. Scleral lenses must be filled with sterile preservative-free saline before insertion and require specific cleaning steps and regular monitoring.
The Contact Lens Fitting Process
A contact lens fitting is more detailed than a routine eye exam because we need to measure the shape and health of the eye surface. We start by checking your child's vision and updating their prescription if needed. Then we examine the front of the eye with a special microscope called a slit lamp to make sure the cornea, conjunctiva, and tear film are healthy enough for contact lens wear.
Next, we discuss your child's lifestyle, activities, and any concerns you both have. This conversation helps us recommend the best lens type and wearing schedule for your family.
We use computerized instruments to measure the curvature of your child's cornea, which helps us select the right lens base curve and diameter. We also measure the size of the iris and pupil to ensure the lens will center properly and provide clear vision in all lighting conditions.
- Corneal topography maps the exact shape of the eye surface
- Keratometry readings determine the steepness of the cornea
- Tear film evaluation checks whether your child produces enough moisture for comfortable lens wear
- Pupil size measurement ensures the optical zone of the lens is large enough
We also examine the eyelids and meibomian glands to look for inflammation that can affect comfort and lens performance.
Once we select the most appropriate lens type, we place trial lenses on your child's eyes and check the fit under the microscope. We look for proper movement with each blink, adequate edge clearance, and centration over the cornea. Your child will wear the trial lenses for several minutes while we assess comfort and vision quality.
During this visit, we teach your child how to insert and remove the lenses using proper technique. We practice together until your child feels confident, which sometimes takes one session and sometimes requires a second training appointment. We never rush this step because correct handling prevents most complications. If a soft lens feels stuck, place sterile saline or rewetting drops in the eye and wait a minute before attempting removal again.
After confirming that the trial lenses fit well and your child can handle them safely, we finalize the prescription and place the order. For daily disposables, you will typically receive a supply to take home the same day or within a few days. Custom lenses like GP or ortho-k may take one to two weeks to arrive.
We schedule a follow-up visit within the first week or two of wear so we can check how the lenses are fitting during actual daily use. If we notice any issues with comfort, vision, or eye health, we can adjust the prescription or try a different lens before problems develop.
Teaching Your Child to Insert, Remove, and Care for Contacts
We teach children to wash their hands with soap and dry them with a lint-free towel before touching any contact lens. Your child should place the lens on the tip of their index finger and check that it is not inside out by looking at the edge. A correct lens forms a smooth cup shape, while an inside-out lens flares out slightly at the rim. Use only sterile contact lens solution to wet or rinse the lens, never tap water.
Using the middle finger of the same hand, your child gently pulls down the lower eyelid while using the other hand to lift the upper lid. They should look straight ahead or slightly upward and place the lens directly on the cornea, then slowly release the lids and blink gently. With practice, the whole process takes just seconds.
To remove soft contact lenses, your child should wash and dry their hands, then look upward while pulling down the lower lid. Using the index finger, they gently slide the lens down onto the white part of the eye, then pinch it gently between the thumb and index finger to lift it out. We advise against using fingernails, which can tear the lens or scratch the eye.
If removal is difficult, add lubricating drops and wait. Do not pinch hard or use fingernails. If the lens cannot be removed within 15 minutes, contact us.
Rigid GP lenses require a different technique. Your child can use a small suction tool designed for lens removal, or they can position their fingers at the outer corners of the lids and blink firmly while gently pulling the skin toward the ear. The lens will pop out into the hand or onto a clean towel below. If using a removal tool, place it on the lens surface only, not on the eye, and moisten it as instructed.
Children who wear reusable lenses must clean them every time they remove them. We recommend rubbing the lens gently with a few drops of multipurpose solution in the palm of the hand, even if the solution label says no-rub, because mechanical cleaning removes more protein and debris. After rubbing for about 15 to 20 seconds on each side, your child should rinse the lens with fresh solution and place it in a clean case filled with new solution.
- Never rinse lenses with tap water, saliva, or any liquid other than sterile contact lens solution
- Replace the storage case every one to three months to prevent biofilm buildup
- Let the case air dry upside down each day after inserting lenses
- Use fresh solution every night and never top off old solution in the case
Additional cleaning options and case care include the following steps.
- Hydrogen peroxide systems are an alternative to multipurpose solutions. Lenses must soak in the supplied case to fully neutralize before insertion. Never put peroxide directly in the eye.
- Rinse storage cases with fresh disinfecting solution, not tap water, after emptying.
- Check solution expiration dates. Discard opened bottles by the manufacturer's discard-after date.
- Avoid switching solutions without checking with our office.
Daily disposable lenses must be thrown away every single night, even if your child only wore them for a few hours. Two-week lenses should be discarded after 14 days of wear, and monthly lenses after 30 days, regardless of how many hours they were actually used. Following the replacement schedule prevents protein buildup and reduces infection risk.
Your child should also discard any lens immediately if it becomes torn, cracked, warped, or excessively cloudy. Wearing a damaged lens can scratch the cornea and cause pain or infection. Track the open date of reusable lenses and discard on schedule even if they look clean.
The most important habit for preventing eye infections is thorough hand washing before every insertion and removal. Your child should scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds, rinse well, and dry with a clean towel. We also recommend keeping lens cases and solution bottles away from bathroom sinks and shower areas where bacteria thrive.
Children should never share contact lenses or wear decorative lenses purchased without a prescription. We also advise against wearing contacts when swimming or showering, because waterborne microorganisms can attach to lenses and cause severe infections that may threaten vision.
- Keep fingernails short and avoid lotions or oils before handling lenses.
- Do not wear contacts when your child is sick or if eyes are red or painful. Use backup glasses and call us.
- Always carry glasses as a backup.
Recognizing Problems and Keeping Eyes Safe
Eye infections from contact lenses can develop quickly and become serious if not treated promptly. Your child should remove their lenses immediately and contact our office if they experience redness that does not go away within an hour of lens removal, pain that feels worse than simple dryness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, or any discharge from the eye.
- Persistent redness or bloodshot appearance
- Unusual tearing or watery eyes
- Feeling like something is stuck under the lid even after removing the lens
- Swelling of the eyelid or around the eye
- White spot or haze on the cornea
- Inability to remove the lens
- Sudden halos around lights or marked light sensitivity
- Recent swimming or showering while wearing lenses
- Recent eye injury or chemical splash
Do not reinsert lenses until our office has evaluated and cleared your child to resume wear.
If a lens suddenly feels uncomfortable, your child should remove it and inspect it for damage, debris, or tears. Rinsing the lens with fresh solution and reinserting it often solves the problem if an eyelash or dust particle was trapped underneath. If discomfort continues after reinsertion, the lens should be discarded and a fresh one used.
Mild dryness is common, especially in air-conditioned rooms or after long screen time. We may recommend preservative-free rewetting drops approved for use with contact lenses. If dryness happens frequently, we can discuss switching to a different lens material or wearing schedule.
Contact lenses are excellent for most sports when paired with protective eyewear for impact sports. Do not swim or use hot tubs while wearing contact lenses. If a family chooses to swim despite this advice, use well-sealed goggles and discard daily disposable lenses immediately after, then monitor closely for symptoms.
During camping trips or sleepovers, your child should bring their contact lens case, solution, and glasses as a backup. If they cannot clean their lenses properly in a particular situation, it is safer to wear glasses until they return home.
Certain symptoms require immediate attention, even outside regular office hours. If your child experiences sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, a sensation of something embedded in the eye, or a white or cloudy spot on the cornea, contact us right away or seek emergency care. These signs may indicate a corneal abrasion, ulcer, or infection that needs urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage.
You should also call if your child has moderate symptoms that do not improve within a few hours of removing the contacts, or if they develop a fever along with eye redness and pain. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming serious complications. If a lens is lost on the eye or cannot be removed, seek help promptly.
Follow-up timing depends on lens type. For soft lenses, we typically see children at about one to two weeks, then one to three months, then six months. After the first year, annual exams are common if no problems arise. Orthokeratology, GP, and scleral lenses require closer initial follow-up and periodic corneal topography or lens fit checks, often every six to twelve months.
During these checkups, we look for signs of oxygen deprivation such as corneal neovascularization, assess lens deposits, and review care habits. Regular monitoring helps us catch small problems before they affect eye health or vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although some lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear, we generally do not recommend that children sleep in contacts because the risk of serious infection increases significantly. Eyes need oxygen, and closing the lids over a contact lens reduces oxygen flow to the cornea. In 2025, the safest approach for children is to remove all lenses before bed, with the exception of orthokeratology lenses that are specifically designed for overnight corneal reshaping. Only orthokeratology lenses are designed for planned overnight use. All other contacts should be removed before sleep.
Contact lenses are much safer than glasses for most sports because they do not break or shift during play. We still recommend protective sports goggles for high-impact activities. Swimming with contacts is not safe because lakes, pools, and oceans contain microorganisms that can attach to lenses and cause severe eye infections. If your child must swim with vision correction, prescription swim goggles are the best option.
If your child loses a lens, they should not panic. They can wear their glasses until a replacement arrives. We keep prescription records on file, so you can order replacement lenses by contacting our office or the lens supplier. For children who wear daily disposables, simply open a new lens from the box. If the prescription has changed recently or the backup supply is old, schedule an exam before ordering a large quantity.
Contact lens costs vary depending on the type and replacement schedule. Daily disposable soft lenses typically cost more per year than monthly lenses, but they eliminate the need for cleaning solutions and storage cases. Specialty lenses like ortho-k or scleral lenses require a higher initial investment and more frequent professional cleaning. Many vision insurance plans cover a portion of contact lens exams and materials, so we recommend checking your benefits before the fitting. Consider the cost of solutions, replacement of lost or damaged lenses, and any myopia management program fees or follow-up testing such as corneal topography.
Contact lenses themselves do not make vision worse or better compared to glasses with the same prescription. Both correct vision by focusing light properly on the retina. However, certain specialty contacts like orthokeratology lenses may slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, which can mean less prescription change over time. Poor contact lens hygiene can cause infections or corneal scarring that may damage vision, which is why proper care and regular checkups are essential.
Wearing contact lenses during childhood does not prevent someone from having LASIK or other refractive surgery as an adult. However, patients must stop wearing contacts for a period before the LASIK evaluation because lenses can temporarily change corneal shape. Time out of contacts before LASIK evaluation varies by lens type and surgeon. Soft lenses often require one to two weeks, while GP or orthokeratology may require several weeks to allow corneal shape to stabilize. Most LASIK surgeons prefer to wait until the early twenties when prescriptions have stabilized, regardless of contact lens history.
Getting Help for Contacts for Kids
If you think your child may be ready for contact lenses, schedule a contact lens evaluation with our eye doctor. We will assess your child's eye health, discuss their maturity and lifestyle, and help you choose the safest and most effective lens option. Together, we can give your child the freedom and confidence that contact lenses provide while protecting their precious vision for years to come.