Contacts for an almost 11 year old?

[golfgal]

DS10's glasses got knocked off his face in a basketball game over the weekend and got pretty bent out of shape. He asked for contacts, which is something I was considering but not for another year. Is 10, 11 in March, too young? Are there any eye issues with getting them this young? He is pretty responsible so I am not worried there and with the disposable contacts these days, cleaning isn't really an issue. I am going to call the eye dr later, he needs to go in anyway to get his glasses fixed.

 

[Christine]

My DD got hers when she was 11 and we did not have a problem--even though she is a bit of a slob!!

Her optometrist recommended the 2-week disposable at first because if they mess up somehow, it is not as catastrophic. I think my DD has messed up 2 lenses in all these years.

We have had a couple of incidences where she got a eye infection and her tendancy to gets stys on her eyes seem a bit increased. I keep telling her to keep her hands very clean and that seems to help.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I got contacts when I was 13. I was entering HS and glasses were becoming something I needed all the time, not just for the board. I got them and had no issues until I was about 20. They started bothering me and I could wear them for less and less time each day. The eye doc told me eventually, I might not be able to wear them at all. I researched Lasik for another 2 years and had it done when I was 22. Best thing ever-I have 20/10 and no contacts or glasses. I have a few friends who have been wearing contacts for years-some can no longer wear them, others have no problems.
I digressed-I would ask the eye doc if it will matter as he gets older if he got contacts so young. If not, why not get them-they make life so much easier!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

I also started contacts at 13...because my parents were sick of replacing glasses that were getting damanged during my basketball games!

Of course - back then, I had ONE PAIR of contacts for an entire year...omg, what a NIGHTMARE! Kids have it so easy these days with the two week disposable (which I wear now) or the daily ones (which require ZERO cleaning, but more $$)

Your eye doc would know best of course, but I think that more kids are getting contacts younger mainly in part to sports.

 

[chesirechik]

My parents let me get them when I was 11 or 12. I refused to wear my glasses and they were fed up with me squinting!

I took really good care of them (back in the day when you had ONE pair and had to "wash" them each night) because I was happy to be able to see and not wear glasses. Give it try. With the disposables you could get a few trial pairs and see how it goes without paying very much.

 

[Steffi]

My DD is 11; she started wearing contacts last year and has had no trouble whatsoever with them. She's great at taking care of them - the eye doctor said that kids are often better with contacts than adults! She has no problem popping them in in the mornings and it only takes her a few seconds.

Plus, since she started wearing contacts, her prescription hasn't been changing 3 times a year like it was when she was in glasses, which was the reason she got them in the first place.

 

[jbdreamer]

As long as your son is responsible enough to take care of them, then I see no problem. It should have no effect on his eyes no matter his age, our eyes don't grow or develop.

 

[Deb in IA]

Our son was 10 1/2 when he got his daily disposable soft lenses. He went to a Tae Kwon Do tournament, and could not wear his glasses. As he is very nearsighted, this left him with a definite disadvantage, as he could not see the head kicks coming at him.

It took him a while to get used to putting them in, but now he's pretty good at it. And, he does better in Tae Kwon Do.

 

[dizagain]

DD11 just got contacts for the first time a few months ago. She had trouble getting the hang of putting them in, but has gotten better. She's responsible with them, but actually doesn't wear them much. She seems to still like the ease of her glasses. I don't think this age is too young at all!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yeah, hand cleanliness is the big issue - which isn't something 11 year old boys are known for. I think that if you get them, you are going to have to commit to supervising insertion and removal for awhile. It seems like most kids make the switch around 12 or 13 years old.

Have you considered a pair of prescription sports goggles?

 

[KelNottAt]

My SIL is an optometrist. She's not DD's doctor but said because DD is now 11, that she could get them anytime without worries.

 

[Bearvet]

I just made an appointment for DS10 (turning 11 end of Feb) to get contacts. There have been many times when he/we wished he had them - basketball games, Tae Kwon Do classes and tournaments, amusement parks, snorkeling, etc. We're going to Orlando and Ft. Myers Beach in Feb so I'm hoping he has enough time to get used to wearing them. He's a very responsible boy and I think he'll do a good job with them. He's very excited!

 

[golfgal]

Well, I talked with his eye dr and she said that as long as I am comfortable with his responsibility level she is fine with it as well. He has an appointment for next Monday.

 

[Katie]

My son failed his eye test in 3rd grade. He went to the eye doctor...yep, he needed glasses. My son is very VAIN and wouldn't even consider eyeglasses. He got contacts at the age of 9. Our doctor said he was the youngest but because of his Type A personality, he knew he would be okay with them. HE has done wonderfully. Two and half years later, he still wears them.

He plays basketball, soccer, baseball, football and even wrestles with them in.

Best investment we made! Go for it!

 

[SeeDisney]

Yes, my friend's son got contacts when he was 11 and he's fine with them, very responsible in caring for them as well.

 

[Sleepy]

My son started wearing contacts at age 7. He is now almost 14. i watch him very closely to make sure he is being sterile with handling to help prevent infections.