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Is Your Teen Ready for Contacts?

Many teens who wear glasses are eager to try out contact lenses for convenience, fashion or to just provide another option for vision correction. For teens who feel self-conscious in their glasses, contact lenses can be a way to improve self-esteem. Young athletes and swimmers find that contacts are an excellent option for sports, especially as younger kids are becoming involved in sports and club teams outside of school.

While contacts might appear to be the perfect solution for teens that need corrective eyewear, they are a convenience that comes with a lot of responsibility so itā€™s not a decision to take lightly. Improper use of contact lenses can cause severe discomfort, infections, irritation and, in the worst cases, eye damage or even permanent vision loss.

"With Privilege Comes Responsibility"

Contact lenses are a medical device and should always be treated as such. They should never be obtained without a valid contact lens prescription from an eye doctor, and always purchased from an authorized seller. Among other issues, poor fitting contact lenses bought from illegitimate sources have been known to cause micro-abrasions to the eyes that can increase the risk of eye infection and corneal ulcers in worst case scenarios.

Particularly when it comes to kids and teens, it is best to purchase contact lenses from an eye doctor as they possess the expertise to properly fit contact lenses based on the shape of the eye, the prescription, the lifestyle of the child and other factors that may influence the comfort, health, and convenience of contact lens use.

There is some debate over the recommended age for kids to start considering contact lenses. While some experts will say the ideal age is between 11 and 14, there are many responsible children as young as 8 or even younger who have begun to successfully use them. When children are motivated and responsible, and parents are able to ensure follow-up to the daily regimen, earlier contact lens use can be a success. A good measure of whether your child is responsible enough to use contacts is whether they are able to keep their room clean or maintain basic hygiene like brushing teeth regularly and effectively.

When you think your child might be ready, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for a contact lens exam and fitting. The process will take a few visits to perform the exam, complete a training session on how to insert, remove and care for lenses,Ā thenĀ to try out the lenses at home and finally reassess the comfort and fit of the contacts. You may try out a few varieties before you find the best fit.

What Kind of Contact Lens Is Best for My Teen?

The good news is that contact lens use has become easier than ever, with safety, health, and convenience being more accessible as technology improves. There are a number of options including the material used to make the lenses (soft or rigid gas permeable), the replacement schedule (if disposable, how often you replace the pair - daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly) and the wear schedule (daily or extended overnight wear).

Single-use, daily disposable lenses have become very popular, particularly with younger users, because they are easy to use, requiring no cleaning or storing, and therefore they reduce the risk of infection and misuse. You simply throw out the lenses at night and open a new one in the morning. Your eye doctor will be able to help you and your teen determine the best option.

Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Following are some basic contact lens safety tips. If your teen is responsible enough to follow these guidelines, he or she may be ready for contact lens use:

  1. Always follow the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
  2. Always wash your hands with soap before applying or removing contact lenses.
  3. Never use any substance other than contact lens rinse or solution to clean contacts (even tap water is a no-no).
  4. Never reuse contact lens solution
  5. Follow the eye doctor's advice aboutĀ swimming or showering in your lenses
  6. Always remove your lenses if they are bothering you or causing irritation.
  7. Never sleep in your lenses unless they are extended wear.
  8. Never use any contact lenses that were not acquired with a prescription from an authorized source. Never purchase cosmetic lenses without a prescription!

Contact lens use is an ongoing process. As a child grows, the lens fit may change as well, so it is important to have annual contact lens assessments. Plus, new technology is always being developed to improve comfort and quality of contact lenses.

Contact lenses are a wonderful invention but they must be used with proper care. Before you let your teen take the plunge into contact lens use, make sure you review the dangers and safety guidelines.

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Reviews
I have been a patient at Yesnick for many years! The staff are wonderful and I feel appreciated as a patient.
4 days ago
- Yvonne R.
17 years they have given me the best of service. Everyone so friendly
4 days ago
- James D.
Everyone is so nice and helpful. My exams are always informative. The Dr. explains everything as he is going which I love.
5 days ago
- Sheryl R.
Just came from Yesnick Vision Ctr. The Doctor and his staff were outstanding. Professional and very well organized. I would recommend them time and again.You won't be disappointed.
1 week ago
- Antonia H.
I love this place today was my first time there and it was amazing the staff are very helpfully & I was able to walk out with my glasses the same day instead of having to wait them long 2 weeks it was much needed and Iā€™m glad I made the time to head up there šŸ˜ƒšŸ˜ƒšŸ˜ƒ
2 weeks ago
- laquane b.
Very happy with the staff and Dr.YesNick. They do very well with my daughter and making her feel as comfortable as possible. Thank you for being so flexible with her and helping her feel at ease while doing her exam! You guys are amazing! Highly recommended if you need a family eye doctor! šŸ„°šŸ™
2 weeks ago
- Tasha
My entire family comes to this place. They are fantastic; from the moment you come through the door you are greeted and welcomed. Doctor YESnick is very knowledgeable and seems to really care about his patients. Tim is excellent from start to finish. He is so helpful and patient while he walks you through the choosing of glasses and insurance coverage. He listens to concerns and gives you the best deal possible. I would recommend this office to anyone!! 10/10.
2 weeks ago
- Jacks