Contact Lenses and Teenagers

The pressures of being a teenager! Get good grades, excel in a sport, play a musical instrument, work part-time, hang out with your friends, do some community service--and always, always look good.
If you're a teenager today, so much is expected of you. But what to do if suddenly you can't see the writing on the blackboard at school or on your computer? How about when you can't see the ball until it's practically in your hands? Or if you have to squint to read your notes or cell phone? What to do and still look good?

Why not try contact lenses? This is not to say that glasses can't be a fashion accessory and even a fashion statement. They look great on a lot of people, but for active teenagers, contacts might be a good match.

What your parents may not know is that today's lenses are more comfortable and easier to care for than those of a decade ago. Plus, there are more types of contacts available to choose from, from disposables and daily wear to "Toric" (especially for people with astigmatism). Sure, they do require a certain amount of care and cleaning, so you need to decide if you really want them enough to take care of them. It is much easier to just put on your glasses than to deal with contact lenses. So read on and talk to your parents and decide what is best for your own situation.

How Old Should You Be to Wear Contacts?

Even pre-teens can handle contact lenses. A 3-year study conducted by the Indiana University School of Optometry found children ages 11 to 13 able to handle contacts well and understand the use of their care systems to maintain clean, comfortable lenses. When to begin contact lens wear can only be determined in conjunction with your eye care practitioner (and your parents will probably have something to say about it, too).

What are the Advantages of Contact Lenses Over Eyeglasses?

One advantage of wearing contacts is that they won't get in the way while playing sports, cheerleading, dancing or doing other exercises. There are also no rims there to interfere with your side, or peripheral, vision. When you're active, contact lenses don't steam up or slide down your nose. Plus, they eliminate that annoying pressure behind your ears.

Truths About Contact Lenses--Fiction or Fact?

Are teen eyes not mature enough for contacts? Fiction--most eye care professionals agree that by age 13--even as early as age 11--most eyes are developed enough for contact lenses. An eye exam will confirm whether contacts can be worn or not.

Do contacts fall out a lot? Fiction--they fell out more often when the only ones on the market were hard lenses. Soft lenses conform to the shape of the eye, are larger in diameter and are tucked under the eyelids, so they usually don't move out of place or fall out. Plus, they're usually more stable than glasses, especially for sports.

Contact lenses are expensive. Not true! The price of contact lenses is comparable to that of an average pair of eyeglasses.

Contact lenses are hard to care for. Fiction--today's lens care systems are easy and quick to use. Many contacts can be ready to wear in just 5 minutes.

Contact lenses are not safe to wear for sports. Fiction--except for water sports, contacts are very safe. They can't be broken or knocked off the face and they provide unobstructed peripheral vision.

Conclusion

Ask your parents to make an appointment with an eye care professional who can assess your ability to wear contacts. Wearing lenses is the best way to find out if you and contact lenses were made for each other.