Children can safely and successfully wear contact lenses if they care for them properly. This often means having the support of a parent or other adult to help encourage healthy wear and care behaviors and reduce the risk of eye infections and other complications.

Children Can Successfully Wear Contact Lenses

Contact lenses can provide improved vision and other benefits for a wide spectrum of ages—including children . Children may experience benefits of contact lens wear beyond seeing better. Wearing contact lenses may improve children’s perceptions of their physical appearance compared with wearing glasses, and increase their confidence both in social interactions and in their ability to participate in athletic activities .

Contact Lenses are Not Risk-Free

Regardless of the wearer’s age, contact lenses are medical devices and are not risk-free . Contact lenses have been linked to serious eye infections and other types of complications. Contact lenses are a safe and effective form of vision correction for children, teenagers, and adults, as long as they are worn and cared for properly .

Parents Play an Important Role

Children often depend on their parents or other adults for medical care. Parents play an active role in the day-to-day safety and health of their children, which includes vision and eye health—especially when it comes to the use of contact lenses. In addition to parental supervision, a child’s level of maturity, motivation to wear contact lenses, and personal hygiene are all things to consider. It is important for both parents and children to understand that they share in the responsibility to wear and care for contact lenses successfully.

Contact lenses are not the only option for vision correction, and parents who are considering contact lenses for their children should consult with an eye doctor to decide which option is most appropriate. All contact lens wearers should follow these healthy contact lens use tips.

Being able to see well, for most, is essential to performing the activities of day to day life. Good vision contributes to overall well-being and independence for people of all ages. For those with imperfect but correctable vision, many options can help to improve sight. These options most commonly include glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. Deciding which option is best for you depends on your eyes, lifestyle, and budget—and should be discussed with an eye doctor.

Wearing contact lenses has many potential benefits. To get the most out of your contact lens-wearing experience, be sure to always practice healthy habits and remember that all types of contact lenses—even cosmetic lenses that don’t correct vision but change the color or look of the eye—are medical devices that need to be prescribed by an eye doctor.

See Well

• Contact lenses correct most vision problems , including:
  • Near-sightedness (myopia): blurred vision far away
  • Far-sightedness (hyperopia): blurred vision close up
  • Astigmatism: blurred vision both far away and close up
  • Presbyopia: blurred vision close up in aging adults
• Contact lenses move with the eye for vision correction that can feel and look natural .
• Some studies have shown that specially fitted contact lenses may help slow the progression of near-sightedness in children and teens, although they are not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this purpose .

Feel Well

• The variety of contact lens materials and replacement schedules available allows eye doctors to select the best option for an individual’s eyes, lifestyle, and budget.
• Contact lenses allow individuals to maintain a natural appearance without glasses or, if they choose, to change the appearance of their eyes with colored contact lenses.
• Children, teens, and adults who wear contact lenses report feeling better about their physical appearance and ability to engage in sports and recreational activities compared to those who wear glasses .

Play Well

• Well-fitting contact lenses stay in place on the eyes and improve peripheral (side) vision during sports and activities.
• Contact lenses do not fog up like glasses when outdoors, in low temperature work environments, or playing sports.
• Contact lens wearers can use non-prescription UV-blocking sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun. Some types of contact lenses can provide extra UV protection—although they are not a substitute for sunglasses .

There are many different contact lens types available, all of which require a prescription from an eye care provider. Talk to your eye care provider if you’re thinking about getting contact lenses or changing your contact lens type. To get a prescription for contact lenses, an eye care provider will:

• Perform a complete examination of your eyes
• Try contact lenses on your eyes
• Determine how the contact lenses fit on your eyes
• Test your vision through the contact lenses
• Give you instructions on proper contact lens wear and care

Your eye care provider will help you get the best possible vision and comfort from contact lenses. Wearing contact lenses without a proper fitting and lens care instructions from an eye care provider can lead to eye injury, infection, or other complications. Contact lens types may differ based on what they are made from (lens material), how long they are designed for wearing each day (wear schedule), and how often they should be replaced (replacement schedule). The most common contact lens types include the following:

• Lens Material: Soft or Hard (Rigid Gas Permeable)
• Wear Schedule: Daily Wear or Extended Wear
• Replacement Schedule (for soft contact lenses): Daily Disposable or Planned Replacement

Less commonly, people wear other types of contact lenses for special reasons.

Lens Material

Soft

Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea—the clear dome that covers the colored part of the eye. This lens material may be easier to adjust to and provide better initial comfort than hard, or rigid gas permeable, contact lenses. Soft contact lenses are the most common lens material worn.

Hard, or Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP)

Hard, or rigid gas permeable (RGP), contact lenses are more durable than soft contact lenses and are resistant to buildup of eye-produced deposits on the lens surface. Hard contact lenses generally provide clearer, crisper vision. They also tend to be less expensive over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft contact lenses. Hard contact lenses are easier to handle and less likely to tear. However, they may take a longer period of time to adjust to as compared to soft contact lenses. They also require a more complex cleaning and disinfection process than soft contact lenses.

Wear Schedule

Daily Wear

Daily wear contact lenses are intended for use during the day. They are not designed for overnight wear. Remove daily wear contact lenses each night, rub and rinse with contact lens solution, and place in a clean contact lens storage case filled with fresh contact lens solution to disinfect them. Sleeping in daily wear contact lenses can increase the chances of getting a serious eye infection.

Extended Wear

Extended wear contact lenses are available for overnight wear ranging from one to six nights or up to 30 days. Extended wear contact lenses are usually made of soft plastics that allow more oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are also a few brands of hard contact lenses designed and approved for overnight wear. Length of continuous wear depends on the contact lens type and your eye care provider’s evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. It’s important for the eyes to have a rest without lenses for at least one night following each scheduled removal. Talk with your eye care provider before considering this option, as overnight contact lens wear has been linked to serious eye infections.

Replacement Schedule

The majority of soft contact lens wearers must replace their contact lenses according to a schedule prescribed by an eye care provider.

Daily Disposable

Disposable contact lenses—as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—are used once and then thrown away. With a true daily disposable schedule, a brand new pair of lenses is used each day. Wearing daily disposable contact lenses for more than one day may cause eye discomfort or other complications. Discard daily disposable contact lenses at the end of each day, and put in a new pair the next day.

Planned Replacement

Some soft contact lenses are labeled as “disposable,” but they may be removed nightly and re-worn for multiple days. Replacement schedules for these contact lenses can vary from seven to 30 days. Talk to your eye care provider about the proper schedule for replacing your specific type of contact lens. Follow these tips to clean, disinfect, and store your contact lenses each time you remove them. Replace your contact lenses as often as your eye care provider tells you. Wearing contact lenses longer than the recommended replacement schedule can lead to eye discomfort or other complications.

Special Contact Lens Types

The types of contact lenses listed above correct vision in the same way that glasses do, only they are in contact with the eye. There are additional contact lens types that people may use to enhance eye color, correct special vision problems or even treat eye diseases.

Hybrid

Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid gas-permeable center attached to an outer “skirt” made of soft contact lens material. The soft, outer part of the lens increases comfort and helps the lens to stay centered on the eye, while the rigid gas permeable center provides clear vision. This design is intended for people who have irregular corneas. Because this is a newer type of contact lens, there are fewer options available and fewer eye care providers who fit these contact lenses as compared to soft or hard contact lenses.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses specially designed hard contact lenses to change the shape of the cornea. This contact lens temporarily corrects vision and is mainly used in patients who are nearsighted. Ortho-K lenses are most often prescribed to be worn while sleeping. They are usually removed in the morning and not worn during the day. Most people can go all day without their glasses or contact lenses. For others, vision correction will wear off later in the day. Ortho-K lenses must be worn every night—or on some other prescribed schedule—in order to maintain the treatment effect. Your eye care provider will determine the best maintenance schedule for you.

Scleral

A scleral lens is a larger type of hard, or rigid gas permeable (RGP), contact lens. Scleral lenses rest on the sclera—the white part of the eye—and not the cornea. Fluid collects in the small amount of space between the lens and cornea. This fluid protects the cornea and can also help heal damaged corneas. Scleral lenses are often prescribed to patients with damaged corneas or patients with severe dry eye conditions. People who wear scleral lenses should carefully follow their eye care providers’ instructions for proper wear and care.

Decorative

Some people choose to wear contact lenses to enhance or change the color of the eye. Decorative contact lenses are available with and without vision correction, but all contact lenses require a prescription from an eye care provider. FDA regulations and medical device law deem all contact lenses to be medical devices whether they correct vision or not. Visit an eye care provider for a prescription and follow-up examination to make sure the contact lenses fit properly. Visit the Decorative Contact Lenses page for more information.

Lens care systems and solutions are products you use to clean, disinfect, and store your contact lenses. Proper contact lens care is important for keeping your eyes healthy and free from infection. Only your eye care provider can determine which contact lens care system is best for you. Talk to your eye care provider before using a new contact lens care system.

Multipurpose Solution

Multipurpose solution is an all-in-one care system used to clean, rinse, disinfect, and store soft contact lenses. This solution is the most commonly used care system among soft contact lens wearers. Follow these steps for proper use of multipurpose solution:

• Rub and rinse your contact lenses and store them in fresh solution every time you take them out.
• Never mix fresh solution with old or used solution in the case—a practice called “topping off”—since it reduces the effectiveness of disinfection.
• Rub and rinse your contact lens storage case with fresh solution—never water—every day.
• Empty all excess solution out of the case, and dry it with a fresh, clean tissue.
• Store the clean case upside down on a fresh, clean tissue with the caps off after each use in order to prevent germs from building up in the case.

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

Cleaning is the removal of deposits, debris and some germs from the surface of the contact lens.

Disinfection is the killing of germs present on the contact lens, some of which can cause serious eye infections.

Hydrogen Peroxide-based Systems

Hydrogen peroxide-based systems clean, disinfect, and store contact lenses. An eye care provider may prescribe this care system if you have an allergy to ingredients in multipurpose solution that causes redness or irritation of the eye. Systems that use this type of solution require the use of a special case that comes with the solution when you buy it. The special case reacts with the hydrogen peroxide, converting it to harmless saline solution over time. Never use another type of case with hydrogen peroxide-based solution, as the solution will not convert to saline and will cause burning, stinging, and redness upon inserting the contact lenses.

• Carefully follow all instructions on the label for proper use of hydrogen peroxide-based systems
• Put the contact lenses in the special case with fresh solution. Never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.
• Wait at least 4 to 6 hours—depending on the label’s instructions—before inserting your contact lenses.
• Never rinse your contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide-based solutions and directly insert into your eyes, as this can cause burning, stinging, and redness.

Saline

Saline solution does not disinfect contact lenses. Only use saline for rinsing contact lenses after cleaning and disinfecting with another care system. For example, some hydrogen peroxide-based systems suggest rinsing contact lenses with saline prior to insertion. Talk to your eye care provider about whether or not you need to use saline with your care system.

Daily Cleaners

Daily cleaner is intended for cleaning—not disinfecting—your contact lenses. The cleaner loosens and removes deposits and debris from the contact lens. Place a few drops in the palm of your hand and carefully rub the contact lens for as long as directed on both sides. You must use additional products, such as multipurpose solution, for rinsing the daily cleaner off, disinfecting, and storing the contact lenses.

Enzymatic Protein Removers

Enzymatic protein removers clean off material that your eyes deposit on the contact lenses over time. Depending on the type of contact lenses you wear and the amount of deposits that build up on the lens surface, your eye care provider may recommend you use a product for removing the buildup. Enzymatic protein removers are available in liquid and tablet forms and are used on a daily or weekly basis depending on the product. Ask your eye care provider before using this product.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Care Systems

Care systems for rigid gas permeable, or hard, contact lenses are different from care systems used with soft contact lenses. Hard contact lenses typically require several different solutions for wetting, cleaning, and disinfecting. If you wear hard contact lenses, talk to your eye care provider about which care system is best for you. Never use hard contact lens care products on soft contact lenses.

Talk to your eye care provider for more information about contact lens care systems. Your eye care provider can help you determine which care system will work best with your eyes and your contact lens type. Visit the Protect Your Eyes page for more information on how to properly care for your contact lenses.

If you have ever wished that your eyes were a different color—or that you could give them a different “look”—you might understand why decorative contact lenses appeal to some people. There are many names for contact lenses that are used to change the appearance of the eyes, including cosmetic, theatrical, Halloween, circle,decorative, costume, or colored contact lenses. These types of lenses may also be used to improve vision. Whether they improve vision or not, all contact lenses require a prescription and proper care to lower the risk of eye infections and other complications.

All contact lenses require a prescription

All contact lenses are medical devices that are regulated by the U.S. government. By law, decorative contact lenses, whether they correct vision or not, require a prescription and proper fitting from an eye doctor. Any type of contact lens that can be purchased without a prescription is being sold illegally—and can pose serious risks to sight and eye health. Do not purchase decorative contact lenses from costume shops, beauty salons, drug stores, flea markets, or anywhere that doesn’t require a prescription. You can buy contact lenses from eye doctors’ offices, online, or by mail order but only with a valid prescription. You should continue care as directed by your eye doctor with any type of contact lens purchased.

Colored or decorative contact lenses are not risk-free

People who wear any type of contact lenses need to practice proper wear and care steps to keep their eyes healthy. No type of contact lens is risk-free. Improper care of contact lenses increases the chances of infections and other complications. When decorative contact lenses are sold without a prescription, proper fitting, and education about wear and care from an eye doctor, there appears to be a greater risk of permanent eye damage—even blindness.

Follow tips for healthy wear and care

For all types of contact lenses, not wearing and caring for them properly raises the chances of serious eye infections.

• Never share contact lenses with others.
• Rub and rinse your contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time you remove them. Even if worn occasionally, contact lenses must be disinfected and stored in new solution at least every 7 days.
• Never store your contact lenses in water.
• Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor.
• Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months.
• Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.

All contact lens wearers should follow these healthy contact lens use tips.

NEVER share your contact lenses with someone else! Each pair is prescribed and fitted specifically for your eyes.

Approximately 40 million Americans wear contact lenses. In addition to offering flexibility, convenience, and a “no-glasses” appearance, contacts help correct a variety of vision disorders, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and poor focusing with reading material.

But contact lenses also present potential risks. Contact lenses are worn directly on your eyes and can lead to serious eye infections and corneal ulcers (sores) if you don’t care for the lenses properly—and if you don’t wear them properly. In rare cases, these conditions can lead to blindness.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses and certain contact lens care products as medical devices. Best strategies for reducing your risk of infection involve proper hygiene; following recommended wearing schedules; using proper lens care practices for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your lenses (which includes reading and following all product labeling instructions); and having routine eye exams.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates device advertising and marketing practices that cause or are likely to cause substantial consumer injury.

Types of Contact Lenses

General categories

• Soft contact lenses. These are made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Users get used to wearing them within several days. Most soft-contact wearers are prescribed with some type of frequent replacement schedule. An example of this is a schedule that calls for the lenses to be replaced with new ones after two weeks of use.
• Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. These products are durable, resist deposit buildup, and generally allow for clear, crisp vision. They last longer than soft contacts, and also are easier to handle and less likely to tear.

Specific types

• Extended wear contacts. These are good for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights, or up to 30 days. They can be either soft or rigid gas permeable lenses. It’s important for your eyes to have a rest without lenses for at least one night following each scheduled removal.
• Disposable (or “replacement schedule”) contacts. As defined by the FDA, “disposable” means used once and discarded. With a true daily-wear disposable schedule, a brand new pair of lenses is used each day. However, some soft contacts referred to as “disposable” by sellers are actually daily wear lenses used for up to two weeks before being discarded.
• Lenses designed for “Ortho-K.” Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a lens-fitting procedure that uses specially designed RGP contact lenses to change the curvature of the cornea to temporarily improve the eye’s ability to focus. It’s primarily used for the correction of nearsightedness. The most common type is overnight Ortho-K, and the FDA requires that eye care professionals be trained and certified before using these lenses in their practices.
• Decorative contacts (also called “costume,” colored,” “fashion,” or “plano” contacts). The FDA has often warned people about the serious risks (including eye infection and blindness) associated with wearing these lenses without a prescription and the appropriate professional involvement. These lenses don’t correct vision and are intended solely to change the appearance of the eye. If you want to wear these contacts, get a valid prescription (see the section below). You need a prescription even if you have perfect vision. And find more safety tips on FDA’s website.

The Need for a Prescription

You should have a prescription for any contact lenses, as contact lenses are not “one size fits all.” When you get an eye exam, you have the right to get a copy of your prescription.

Per FTC regulations, a prescription should contain sufficient information for a seller to completely and accurately fill the prescription: examination date; date you received the prescription after a contact lens fitting; expiration date; and the name, address, phone and fax number of the prescribing professional.

The prescription should also offer information about material and/or manufacturer, base curve or appropriate designation, and diameter (when appropriate) of the prescribed contact lens.

Tips for Buying

With a valid prescription, it is possible to purchase contact lenses from pharmacies, optical retailers, and online optical retailers. But be extremely cautious when buying contacts from someone other than your eye care professional.

Contact lenses are NOT over-the-counter (OTC) devices. Companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating FTC regulations by selling contact lenses without having your prescription.

Also keep the following tips in mind:

• Make sure your prescription is current. Don’t order with an expired prescription, and don’t stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire. If you haven’t had your eyes checked within the last year or two, you may have eye problems that you are not aware of, or your lenses may not correct your vision well. (The expiration date for your prescription is typically set by your state, which may require renewal in one or two years. If your state has not set a prescription expiration date then, by federal regulation, your contact lens prescription expires not less than one year after the prescription’s issue date. A prescriber may set a prescription date shorter than one year if the prescriber documents in your record the medical reasons justifying a shorter expiration date.)
• Order from a supplier that you are familiar with and know is reliable. Reliable suppliers always require a valid, up-to-date prescription from your eye care provider. Talk to your eye care provider if you have questions or need a recommendation.
• Request the manufacturer’s written patient instructions for use for your contact lenses. It will give you important risk/benefit information and instructions for use.
• Make sure that you get the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder (if any), axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curves (if any) noted on the prescription. If you think you’ve received an incorrect lens or brand, check with your eye care professional. (The correct brand is important because there are differences in the water content and shape among the brands.) Don’t accept any substitution unless your eye care professional approves it.

How to Avoid Infection or Injury

Contact lens users run the risk of infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), corneal abrasions, and eye irritation. A common result of eye infection is corneal ulcers, which are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. Many of these complications can be avoided through everyday care of the eye and contact lenses.

To reduce your chances of infection:

• In general, if you’re using multipurpose contact lens solution, replace your contact lens storage case at least every 3 months or as directed by your eye care provider. If you’re using contact lens solution that contains hydrogen peroxide, always use the new contact lens case that comes with each box—and follow all directions that are included on or inside the packaging.
• Clean and disinfect your lenses properly. When using contact lens solution, read and follow all instructions on the product label to avoid eye injury. This is particularly important if your eye care professional has recommended a solution with hydrogen peroxide, as these solutions require special care.
• Always remove contact lenses before swimming.
• Never reuse any lens solution. Always discard all of the used solution after each use, and add fresh solution to your lens case.
• Do not expose your contacts to any water (which includes lake, pond, and ocean water as well as distilled water, tap water, and homemade saline solution) because it can be a source of microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. (Contact lens solution is sold in “sterile” containers, which means it is free from living germs or microorganisms.)
• Never put your lenses in your mouth or put saliva on your lenses. Saliva is not sterile.
• Never transfer contact lens solutions into smaller travel size containers. These containers are not sterile, and unsterile solution can damage your eyes.
• Do not wear contact lenses overnight unless your eye care provider has prescribed them to be worn that way. Any lenses worn overnight increase your risk of infection. Wearing contact lenses overnight can stress the cornea by reducing the amount of oxygen to the eye. They can also cause microscopic damage to the surface of the cornea, making it more susceptible to infection.
• Never ignore symptoms of eye irritation or infection that may be associated with wearing contact lenses. These symptoms include discomfort, excess tearing or other discharge, unusual sensitivity to light, itching, burning, gritty feelings, unusual redness, blurred vision, swelling, or pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and keep them off. Contact your eye care professional immediately. Keep the lenses, because they may help your eye care professional determine the cause of your symptoms.

These days, eyeglasses can look pretty cool. Still, the day may come when your son or daughter asks you for contact lenses.

There are pros to consider—and cons.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses and certain contact lens care products as medical devices. Contact lenses have benefits, says Bernard P. Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed., an FDA optometrist in the agency’s Contact Lens and Retinal Devices Branch.

”They can be better for sports activities, because they don’t break as frames and the lenses of glasses can. And they provide better peripheral vision for sports, or driving, if your teen is of driving age,” Lepri explains. Moreover, in some cases, contact lenses improve the quality of vision in comparison to eyeglasses, especially when a child is very nearsighted, says Lepri.

“On the other hand, you have to remember that contact lenses are medical devices, not cosmetics,” Lepri says. “Like any medical device, contact lenses should be used only if they can be used safely and responsibly. And only under the supervision of your eye care professional.” Serious injury to the eye can result, particularly if the contact lenses are not removed at the first hint of a problem.

Contact Lens Risks And Safety Tips

Kids and contact lenses are not always the best fit.

“Eye care professionals typically don’t recommend contacts for kids until they are 12 or 13, because the risks are often greater than the benefits for younger children,” Lepri says. ”But age isn’t the only issue. It’s also a question of maturity.”

Lepri suggests that parents who are considering contacts for their kids take a look at how well they handle other responsibilities, especially personal hygiene. “It takes vigilance on the part of the parents,” he says. “You need to constantly be looking over your child’s shoulder to make sure they are properly caring for their lenses.“

As many an eye care professional can attest, kids find all sorts of ways to be less than hygienic. Common, dangerous behaviors include wearing another child’s lens; using saliva to moisten a lens; and wearing decorative lenses purchased from flea markets, beauty supply stores, the Internet and other sources. These behaviors can result in injury.

In fact, according to a 2010 study published in Pediatrics, about 13,500 (or one-fourth) of the roughly more than 70,000 children who go to the emergency room each year for injuries and complications from medical devices are related to contact lenses. The problems from contact lenses include infections and eye abrasions—meaning that your eye can be bruised from contact lenses.

The reasons? Hygiene and responsibility. Or rather, Lepri says, the lack thereof. He adds that it’s essential for all people who wear contact lenses to follow their eye care professional’s advice “to the letter.” That means observing all hygienic precautions.

Even lenses without corrective power, such as decorative or so-called “colored” or “costume” contact lenses, are still medical devices and have all the risks other contact lenses do, says Lepri.

"Never buy decorative/costume contact lenses without a prescription from your eye doctor,” Lepri adds. And never buy contact lenses from any supplier that does not require a valid prescription. (Again, even zero-powered contact lenses require a prescription for correct and safe fitting.)

If considering contact lenses, your child should be able to follow the following safety tips.

• Always wash your hands before cleaning or inserting lenses, and carefully dry your hands with a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Rub, rinse, clean and disinfect your contact lenses as directed and only with the products and solutions recommended by your eye care professional.
• Never expose your contact lenses to any kind of water or saliva.
• Do not wear your lenses for longer than the prescribed wearing schedule. This means that you should not sleep in lenses that were not prescribed to be worn this way.
• Never wear someone else’s lenses.
• Always have a prescription for any lenses you wear.
• When playing sports, wear safety goggles or glasses over your lenses.
• In general, always have a pair of back-up glasses handy.
• Never put a contact lens into an eye that is red.
• Don’t ignore eye itching, burning, irritation or redness that could signal potentially dangerous infection. Remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional. Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses, and remove your lenses before removing makeup.

Not taking the necessary safety precautions can result in ulcers (sores) of the cornea—which is the front of the eye that shields it from germs, dust, and other harmful material—and even blindness.

“Even an experienced lens wearer can scratch a cornea while putting in or taking out a lens,” Lepri notes.

What Else Should You Know?

Eye care professionals generally do not recommend extended wear lenses for kids and teens because they can increase the incidence of corneal ulcers, which can lead to permanent loss of vision.

Although they are a bit more expensive, daily disposable lenses can reduce some of the risks since the wearer is using a new pair of lenses every day.

In addition, children with seasonal allergies are usually not good candidates for wearing contact lenses. The lenses may only increase the itching and burning caused by their allergies.

You can talk with your child about the risks and responsibilities of wearing contact lenses and whether she or he is able to handle these responsibilities. Then talk with your eye care provider to determine if your child is a good candidate for wearing contact lenses.