Children are physically able to tolerate contact lenses at a very early age.  Often, infants are fit with contact lenses to treat congenital defects of vision.  Does that mean that contact lenses are a good option for your child? The answer could very well be yes!

Contact lenses lend themselves well to the active lifestyles of children.  Increased visual acuity and vision stability over eyeglasses can be a great aid to athletic activities and, in combination with goggles, can be safer than polycarbonate spectacle lenses.

Moreover, a recent study indicates that physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance self-perceptions are likely to improve with contact lens wear.

Children are typically highly motivated to wear contacts and usually adapt well to them.  Although you will need to evaluate how well your child handles other responsibilities before deciding if he or she can be counted on to care for contact lenses in a safe and reliable way, most are up to the task and often follow care regimens better than adults.

As gas permeable (GP) lenses are more durable and are easier to care for than conventional soft lenses, they make an excellent choice for children.  Ask your eye care professional if GP lenses are right for your child.