What to know if your child wants to wear contact lenses

Wearing contact lenses is becoming more and more popular because they make the eyes look better. However, improper contact lens wear always causes serious injury, especially in children. So when can children wear contact lenses?

Contact lenses or certain products related to contact lenses are considered medical devices, according to the regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wearing contact lenses can provide the following benefits:
No broken frames and lenses when playing sports or participating in vigorous activities. Improve vision for children with severe myopia compared with conventional eyeglasses. However, wearing contact lenses should be done correctly, safely, responsibly and only under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, otherwise, serious eye injury could result.

Not all children are suitable for using contact lenses. If you want to let your child wear contact lenses, be careful with some common actions that can lead to injury such as: wearing another child's glasses, wet lenses, children not following the eye doctor's instructions, wearing glasses Fashionable contact lenses are purchased from shops, internet and unreliable sources.
In fact, there are many emergency cases each year for injuries and complications from the use of contact lens-related medical devices such as: eye infections, eye abrasions.
In which, the most serious is corneal ulceration due to a severe infection. Although rare, if the condition is not treated and controlled quickly, it can lead to permanent vision loss in children. Besides, if not taken safety measures can increase the risk of corneal ulcers.
For children and adolescents, eye care professionals generally do not recommend wearing contact lenses, as they may increase the risk of corneal ulcers. In addition, children with allergies should not wear contact lenses because it will cause itching and burning.

To wear contact lenses safely and limit possible damage, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Wash your hands before cleaning or inserting your lenses, then use a clean, non-woven cloth lint to dry hands. Follow the instructions for cleaning contact lenses. Use only contact lens products recommended by your eye doctor. Avoid exposing contact lenses to moisture from contact with water or other solutions. Do not wear glasses for longer than prescribed. Do not wear contact lenses to sleep unless indicated and directed for use. Avoid wearing contact lenses that are not yours. Always wear prescription glasses. Wear safety glasses or goggles when playing or practicing sports. When applying makeup, put on glasses before applying cosmetics and remove makeup after removing them. It is recommended to bring another pair of room-building glasses. When you have red eyes, temporarily do not wear contact lenses. Remove your glasses and visit an ophthalmologist if your eyes are irritated, itchy, burning, or red.

Most children are not recommended to wear contact lenses while sleeping, they are advised to use lenses instead. Even so, there are some types of contact lenses that can be beneficial, but also have potential harm such as:
Disposable contact lenses: FDA-approved disposable contact lenses for children to start wearing from 8 to 12 years old to reduce the progression of myopia in children. Hard contact lenses: Wearing hard contact lenses while sleeping to reduce myopia can be a contributing factor to an increased risk of eye infections and even lead to vision loss. Fashionable contact lenses: Some fashion contact lenses can help with beauty, but they do not have the ability to correct vision. Even so, they are still medical devices and should be purchased under the direction of a doctor to avoid risks. Children wearing contact lenses may be injured, then parents should contact medical facilities with eye specialists for examination and advice.
Eye Specialist - Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment. Therefore, when having any health problems, customers can contact the hospital for the best advice and support.

Reference source: fda.gov