Pediatric Contact Lenses
When Your Child Might Be Ready for Contact Lenses
There is no single magic age when every child is ready for contact lenses. We have successfully fitted children as young as eight years old, while some teenagers may not be ready until later. Physical ability to handle lenses matters less than maturity, motivation, and willingness to follow care routines.
Our eye doctor evaluates each child individually, considering their responsibility level, comfort with touching their eyes, and reasons for wanting contacts. A motivated ten-year-old who plays competitive sports may be an excellent candidate, while a less interested fourteen-year-old might do better waiting.
Some children need contact lenses for medical rather than cosmetic reasons. Conditions like keratoconus, where the cornea becomes cone-shaped, often require specialized rigid lenses for clear vision. Kids born with cataracts who have had surgery may need contact lenses to focus properly.
Children with very different prescriptions in each eye, a condition called anisometropia, often see better with contacts than glasses. In cases of amblyopia, sometimes known as lazy eye, contact lenses can be part of the management plan when they provide the best optical correction, particularly for anisometropia by reducing image size differences between the eyes. Treatment typically also requires patching, atropine therapy, or vision therapy along with close monitoring by our eye doctor.
Sports and physical activities become easier with contact lenses. Contacts provide a wider field of vision than glasses, with no frames to block peripheral view during fast-paced games. They do not fog up, slide down the nose, or fall off during athletic activities.
- Reduced risk of broken frames compared to glasses, though protective sports eyewear is still recommended for many activities
- Better compatibility with polycarbonate protective sports goggles and helmets
- Improved depth perception for ball sports and activities requiring precise hand-eye coordination
- For water activities, contacts should not be worn in lakes, pools, or hot tubs due to infection risk; prescription swim goggles are a safer option
Responsibility with daily tasks is the best predictor of contact lens success. We look for children who brush their teeth without reminders, complete homework independently, and follow through on commitments. Kids who already manage medications or medical devices like inhalers often transition smoothly to lens care.
Your child should be willing to learn, comfortable asking questions, and honest about any problems they experience. Fear of touching the eyes usually disappears quickly with practice, but unwillingness to try or resistance to the idea suggests waiting may be wise.
Types of Contact Lenses Available for Children
Daily disposable lenses are our most common recommendation for children starting contact lens wear. Your child wears a fresh, sterile pair each day and throws them away at bedtime, eliminating the need for cleaning solutions or storage cases. This simplicity reduces the risk of eye infections and makes compliance much easier.
These lenses are ideal for kids who play sports occasionally, want contacts only for specific activities, or are just learning to manage vision correction independently. Although the per-lens cost is higher, many families find the convenience and safety worth the investment.
Some contact lenses approved for extended wear can be worn continuously for several days, including overnight. However, we typically do not recommend sleeping in contacts for children except in specific medical situations. Overnight wear increases the risk of serious eye infections, and most kids do well with daily wear schedules.
In rare cases where a child has difficulty with daily insertion and removal due to physical limitations or certain medical conditions, we may consider extended wear options with very close monitoring and frequent follow-up care.
Rigid gas permeable lenses, often called RGP or GP lenses, are smaller and firmer than soft contacts. They maintain their shape on the eye, making them excellent for correcting irregular corneas in conditions like keratoconus or severe astigmatism. These lenses provide sharper vision than soft lenses for many corneal conditions.
- More durable than soft lenses and can last one to two years with proper care
- Allow more oxygen to reach the cornea, promoting better eye health
- Require an adaptation period as they feel more noticeable initially
- Need consistent daily wear to maintain comfort
For irregular corneas, scleral lenses are also commonly used, especially in more advanced cases. These larger lenses vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, often providing greater comfort and stability than standard rigid lenses. We select the best lens design for each child's specific corneal shape and needs.
It is important to understand that while contact lenses can dramatically improve vision in keratoconus, they do not stop the condition from progressing. Children with keratoconus often experience faster progression than adults, so we monitor corneal shape closely at regular intervals. In some cases, we may recommend evaluation for corneal cross-linking, a procedure that can help slow or halt keratoconus progression.
Myopia control contact lenses are designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. As of 2025, several soft contact lens designs have received FDA approval specifically for myopia control, while others are used off-label based on clinical evidence. We may recommend these specialized lenses for kids whose myopia is worsening rapidly, typically starting around age 7 to 10 depending on the specific lens type and individual factors.
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, involves specially designed rigid lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear daytime vision without lenses. Research suggests ortho-k may also slow myopia progression. Because ortho-k is overnight wear, it carries a higher risk of eye infection and requires meticulous hygiene, careful patient selection, and close follow-up monitoring.
Families should know that other myopia control options exist, including low-dose atropine eye drops and specialized myopia-control eyeglasses. The best approach depends on your child's age, rate of myopia progression, eye health, lifestyle, and family preferences. We discuss these alternatives during consultation to help you make an informed decision.
- The goal of myopia control is to slow progression, not stop it completely or reverse existing nearsightedness
- Myopia control modalities require stricter monitoring schedules than standard contact lens wear
- Treatment typically continues for several years during the active growth period
- Success varies by individual, and some children respond better than others
Children with very high prescriptions, whether nearsighted or farsighted, often benefit significantly from contact lenses. Contacts sit directly on the eye, reducing the image size distortion that occurs with thick eyeglass lenses and providing more natural vision.
The Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation Process
The contact lens fitting appointment takes longer than a routine eye exam. We begin by discussing your child's activities, vision goals, and daily routines to determine which lens type will work best. Our eye doctor will explain expectations, care requirements, and what your child needs to do to wear lenses safely.
This visit includes all the tests of a comprehensive eye exam plus additional measurements specific to contact lens fitting. We evaluate not just how well your child sees, but also the health of the eye surface, tear film quality, and corneal shape.
We measure the curvature of your child's cornea using an instrument called a keratometer. This helps us select the proper lens curve for a comfortable, stable fit. We also measure corneal diameter and assess eyelid anatomy to choose the appropriate lens diameter and design for each eye.
Corneal topography is commonly used to create detailed maps of the corneal surface, especially for children with astigmatism, those being considered for orthokeratology, or when we suspect irregular corneal conditions.
- Tear film evaluation to ensure adequate moisture for comfortable lens wear
- Detailed examination of the eyelids and eye surface for any conditions that might affect lens wear
- Assessment of pupil size in different lighting conditions
- Measurement of any astigmatism and its axis orientation
- Evaluation of eye alignment and focusing ability
Once we select appropriate trial lenses, we place them on your child's eyes to evaluate the fit. We check how the lenses move with each blink, center on the cornea, and provide clear vision at all distances. Your child will wear the trial lenses for a short period while we observe how their eyes respond.
During this same visit, we teach your child how to insert and remove the lenses themselves. Many children master this skill within the first session, though some need two or three training appointments. We proceed at your child's pace, using a mirror and our guidance until they feel confident. For younger children, especially those under twelve, we encourage parents to observe and supervise the entire lens care routine at home until habits are well established.
We schedule the first follow-up visit within one week of dispensing standard contact lenses. Your child should wear their new lenses for a few hours before this appointment so we can see how the eyes are adapting. We examine the cornea, check for any redness or irritation, and confirm that vision remains crisp and clear.
Children wearing specialty lenses such as orthokeratology or scleral lenses typically require more frequent early follow-up, sometimes including next-day evaluations and additional visits during the first few weeks. Additional follow-up visits occur over the next few months as your child builds wearing time and confidence. These appointments let us catch any potential problems early and adjust the fit or lens type if needed before establishing a regular annual schedule.
Teaching Your Child to Handle and Care for Contact Lenses
Learning to put in contact lenses requires patience and practice, but nearly all children succeed within a few attempts. We teach your child to wash and dry their hands first, then hold the lens on their index finger while using the other hand to hold their eyelids open. Looking straight ahead or slightly upward, they gently place the lens on the eye.
Removal is often easier than insertion. Your child will look up while pulling down the lower lid, then gently pinch the lens between their thumb and index finger to lift it off the eye. We recommend practicing over a clean towel at first to catch any dropped lenses.
For reusable contact lenses, proper cleaning prevents eye infections and keeps lenses comfortable. Immediately after removing each lens, your child should place it in their clean palm, add a few drops of fresh multipurpose solution, and gently rub the lens for about twenty seconds. They then rinse the lens with more solution before placing it in a clean case filled with fresh solution.
- Never reuse old solution from the case
- Never rinse lenses or cases with tap water, which can harbor dangerous microorganisms
- Do not shower, swim, or use hot tubs while wearing contact lenses
- Never use saliva to wet or clean lenses
- Do not top off solution; always empty the case and refill with fresh solution
- Clean and air-dry the case after each use by rinsing with solution and letting it air dry upside down
- Replace the lens case every three months
- Follow your doctor's recommended solution system and never mix different solution types
Clean hands are the most important factor in preventing contact lens-related eye infections. Your child must wash their hands with soap and water, scrubbing for at least twenty seconds, before every lens insertion or removal. They should rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean, lint-free towel.
We stress that hand sanitizer is not a substitute for washing when handling contact lenses. Residue from lotions, soaps, or sanitizers can irritate the eyes or damage lenses. Your child should also avoid touching their eyes unnecessarily throughout the day.
Each contact lens type has a specific replacement schedule that must be followed exactly. Daily disposable lenses are single-use only and must be discarded after each wearing; they should never be stored and reused. Two-week lenses must be thrown away after fourteen days of wear, regardless of how many hours they were actually worn. Monthly lenses should be replaced according to the manufacturer schedule, typically one month from opening the package or as directed by our office.
Wearing lenses beyond their replacement schedule allows protein deposits and bacteria to build up, increasing infection risk and reducing comfort. We help your child track replacement dates using calendar reminders or smartphone apps to build this habit early.
Contact lenses occasionally tear, fall out, or become uncomfortable during wear. We teach children to never continue wearing a damaged lens, as torn edges can scratch the cornea. If a lens tears during removal, your child should carefully check that all pieces are out of the eye before inserting a fresh lens.
If a lens becomes uncomfortable during the day, your child should remove it, inspect it carefully for debris or tears, rinse it with solution if it appears intact, and reinsert it only if the discomfort has fully resolved. If discomfort continues, pain develops, the eye becomes red, vision decreases, or light sensitivity occurs, they should not reinsert the lens. Instead, they should switch to glasses for the rest of the day and contact our office the same day for evaluation. We always prefer cautious kids who ask questions over those who ignore warning signs.
Warning Signs and When to Seek Care
Most children wearing soft contact lenses experience mild awareness during the first few days of wear. This usually feels like a slight sensation that something is on the eye, similar to an eyelash, but without pain. The feeling typically disappears within a few days as your child adapts. Rigid gas permeable lenses may take longer to feel comfortable, often requiring a gradual wearing schedule over days to weeks as the eyes adjust.
Some initial end-of-day dryness is also common and often improves as wearing time gradually increases. However, symptoms should steadily improve each day, not worsen. Any significant discomfort, pain, or vision changes require evaluation and are not part of normal adjustment.
We want to see your child the same day they experience certain warning symptoms. Eye redness that persists after lens removal, especially if accompanied by pain, suggests possible infection or corneal irritation. Light sensitivity that seems excessive or develops suddenly also needs prompt attention.
- Discharge from the eye, particularly if yellow or green
- A feeling that something is stuck under the lens that does not resolve after removal and reinsertion
- Sudden decrease in vision that does not clear with blinking or lens removal
- Continued discomfort or irritation several hours after removing the lenses
Many minor contact lens problems can be handled without an office visit. If a lens feels dry or uncomfortable during the day, your child can use rewetting drops made specifically for contact lenses. These lubricating drops refresh the lens surface and often restore comfort immediately.
If a lens falls out, your child should clean it thoroughly before reinserting or simply replace it with a fresh one if using daily disposables. Any lens that cannot be easily repositioned should be removed, inspected, and either cleaned and reinserted or replaced.
Certain symptoms indicate potentially serious problems that need immediate medical attention, even outside regular office hours. Severe eye pain, especially with light sensitivity and tearing, may signal a corneal ulcer or abrasion that requires urgent treatment. Your child should remove the lens immediately and keep both the lens and case for evaluation if our office requests it.
Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes while wearing contacts demands immediate evaluation. Your child should remove the lenses right away and seek emergency eye care. We instruct families to go to an emergency department with ophthalmology coverage or contact our on-call service if they cannot reach our office. Any eye injury, chemical exposure, or foreign object striking the eye while wearing contacts also requires urgent assessment, even if initial symptoms seem mild.
Follow-Up Care and Monitoring
After the initial fitting period, we recommend annual comprehensive exams for most young contact lens wearers. These yearly visits include both an eye health examination and a contact lens evaluation to ensure continued safe wear. Children with certain eye conditions or those wearing specialty lenses may need more frequent monitoring, sometimes every three to six months.
We also encourage families to schedule appointments whenever concerns arise between regular checkups. Waiting until the annual exam to address discomfort, vision changes, or fitting issues can allow small problems to become larger ones.
Follow-up appointments let us monitor how well your child's eyes are tolerating contact lens wear over time. We examine the cornea carefully for any signs of oxygen deprivation, blood vessel growth, or surface changes that might indicate the lenses are not fitting properly or are being overworn. The white part of the eye is checked for chronic redness or inflammation.
- Assessment of tear film quality and quantity
- Evaluation of eyelid health and blink completeness
- Inspection of the contact lenses themselves for deposits or damage
- Review of wearing schedule and care routine compliance
- Vision testing with current lenses to confirm optimal clarity
Children's eyes change more rapidly than adult eyes, especially during growth spurts. We check your child's vision at every annual exam, and many kids need prescription updates every one to two years. Some children experience faster vision changes and may need new lenses more frequently.
Your child should tell you if they notice their vision is not as sharp as it used to be, if they are squinting more, or if they experience headaches during activities that require clear focus. These symptoms may indicate that their prescription needs adjustment, though they can also signal other issues that we should evaluate.
The best contact lens type for your child may change over time. A young athlete who initially needed lenses only for weekend games might later prefer daily wear for school and activities. A teenager who started with daily disposables might transition to monthly lenses as they demonstrate consistent excellent care habits.
We also reassess lens choices when your child's prescription changes significantly, if new lens technologies become available, or if their eye health requires a different approach. Our goal is always to provide the safest, most effective vision correction for your child's current lifestyle and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When properly prescribed, fitted, and monitored, contact lenses are generally safe and carry low risk for healthy eyes. The idea that wearing contacts weakens eyes is a myth not supported by scientific evidence. Vision changes in children occur due to normal eye growth, not because of contact lens wear. That said, complications such as infections or inflammatory reactions can occur even with good compliance, which is why we monitor eye health closely at regular checkups, teach proper care habits, and encourage families to contact us promptly if problems arise.
We recommend that children remove their contact lenses before sleeping, even if the lenses are approved for overnight wear, because sleeping in contacts increases infection risk significantly. Swimming while wearing contacts is also not advised, as water can introduce bacteria and parasites that cause serious eye infections. If your child must swim with vision correction, we suggest daily disposable lenses worn under tight-fitting goggles, discarded immediately after swimming, or prescription swim goggles as a safer alternative.
Nearly every child feels hesitant about touching their eyes initially, but this reluctance almost always disappears with gentle practice and encouragement. We use gradual techniques that help children become comfortable with the process, starting with simply looking at their eyes in a mirror and progressing to light touches near the eye. Most kids who were initially nervous become confident with insertion and removal within one or two practice sessions.
Contact lens costs vary widely depending on lens type, prescription complexity, and replacement schedule. Daily disposable lenses typically range from three hundred to seven hundred dollars per year, while monthly lenses with solutions may cost two hundred to four hundred dollars annually. Specialty lenses for conditions like keratoconus or myopia control can cost more. Pricing also varies by region and practice, and fitting or training fees may be separate. Many vision insurance plans cover a portion of contact lens expenses, and we can discuss options that fit your family's budget during the consultation.
Yes, contact lenses can correct astigmatism and high prescriptions effectively in children. Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism and are available in soft daily disposable, monthly, and rigid gas permeable options. Children with very high degrees of nearsightedness or farsightedness often see better with contacts than glasses because contacts reduce the magnification or minification effects that occur with thick eyeglass lenses. Most children can be successfully fitted with contact lenses regardless of prescription strength, though some complex prescriptions may require custom-made lenses or specialty designs.
Getting Help for Pediatric Contact Lenses
Our eye doctors are here to guide your family through every step of the contact lens journey, from the initial evaluation through years of successful wear. We welcome your questions and encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss whether contact lenses are right for your child.