Contacts for kids

[LeslieG]

My DS11 is asking for contacts. I was thinking maybe I'd let him try the daily ones, but I was surprised they cost about $60/month. I'm looking for recommendations from parents whose kids wear contacts and what the best option would be. Thanks.

 

[kldmom2000]

My DD got them for her 11th birthday last summer and has done great with them. She uses the ones that are good for 2 weeks, but her eye doctor said you can absolutely stretch them to a month as long as they're cared for properly. My husband's been doing that for 20+ years. 2 boxes of her Extreme H20 lenses (6 in each box) generally last for about 4-5 months (we never make it to 6 as she sometimes tears one or loses one. The cost for 2 boxes is $60.

 

[packofjedis]

My son started in contacts when he was 12. He went straight into the 2 week contacts and is still using them 3+ yrs later.

I think the main thing is maturity according to my eye doctor. Do you think your son is ready to deal with the cleaning, storage, etc that needs to be handled in an exact manner so as to not get an eye infection?

 

[Colleen27]

I haven't been there as a parent yet but I've been wearing contacts since I was 11 without problems. I wore regular contacts for the first year, then switched to two week disposables. 20 years later, I'm still wearing the same brand of 2-week throwaways.

They really are very easy to care for, easier now than back then thanks to the all-in-one solutions. I remember the days when my mom had to remind me once in a while that it was the day to use the protein-removal product rather than the standard solution, but now there's no need for two separate products. You know your son best, though. Is he good about hand-washing, keeping his nails trimmed & clean, and other basic hygiene? If so, he could most likely handle contacts well.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I guess it all depends on how responsible your child is. But I think it would be fine. I got mine at 12, and have been wearing them now for 24 years, and NEVER had a problem. Back when I got mine, there were only the 6 month ones, so I had to take good care of them or I knew I had to wear my glasses untill next eye appointment. I wouldnt suggest dailies, I would get the 2-weekers. With good care, they will last a month or two.Good luck.

 

[angwill]

I have worn contacts since 6th grade myself and my son who I felt was not responsible enough for them till 10th grade got them a year ago. It just depends on maturity level if you feel they are ready for them. The eye doctor did try to put my son in the newer product that were like air optics or something that were really expensive but since I have used Biomedic 55's for many years without issue I asked for a perscription for those instead. It was right around $100 for a years supply that as long as his perscription doesn't change should last two years. Like someone else said if you clean them every night and take them out they can last twice as long as they are made for. HTH

 

[BlueBeagle]

My son got contacts when he was 11. We went with the dailies - a lot less worry about his cleaning skills The great thing about them was his three month supply lasted about 5 1/2 months because he tended not to wear them around the house on weekends or all of Christmas break. Good luck!

 

[brennicksmom]

My son got them when he was 8! he is 10 now. Yes he was that responsible. His eye doctor encouraged it because he had done so well with glasses. It was all new to us because my hubby and I don't even have glasses.

He has Biofinity Toric (SP?) and they are daily lenses. Insurance covers $99.00 year for us and he only needs them in one eye, so we pay 12.00 a year after insurance for them. So if I figured correctly each contact is close to $10.00. He does great with them He has only had to clean them at nurse at school once when something got into his eye. He also gets lazy about them on the weekends, but it has been so easy on him. He plays Lacrosse, so no sports goggles under the helmet!

Now if only I could get my 13 year old to get them-he's afraid to touch anywere near his eyes.

 

[got2sammies]

$60 a month? That seems a little high... Unless she has to buy two seperate boxes (two different scrips for each eye I guess) Have you tried walmart? Or even BJs/Sams Club? I get mine for about $28 box.

 

[LeslieG]

$60 a month? That seems a little high... Unless she has to buy two seperate boxes (two different scrips for each eye I guess) Have you tried walmart? Or even BJs/Sams Club? I get mine for about $28 box.

This was at Walmart that told me $60/month. She said $2 per day. Maybe it depends on the brand, and I forget what she told me.

These dailies and the every-two-weeks kind, do you sleep in these?

 

[got2sammies]

This was at Walmart that told me $60/month. She said $2 per day. Maybe it depends on the brand, and I forget what she told me.

These dailies and the every-two-weeks kind, do you sleep in these?

Some contacts now allow you to sleep in them.. I would not recommend sleeping in any contacts even if they say you can.

 

[stacieps]

My DD (14) wears 1-day Acuvue Moist. We paid $200 for a 180 day supply and got a rebate (I believe it was $60) - so, after rebate, total was around .78 per day. Would have been slightly cheaper per day (higher rebate) to order for a full year, but it was her first time with the contacts so I didn't want to have too many if we found they didn't work for her. I believe the rebate was for new Acuvue users, so I don't think we'll get that next time we orer which will bring the cost to $1.11 per day.

I checked with Wal-Mart (I used to get my contacts cheap there before my laser surgery), and they were more expense than what I paid. I used ACLens.com.

 

[NJGirl]

If you decide to go the contact route...once you get fitted you can shop around for the best deal. I found the best price for my accuvue oasys astigmatism are thru visiondirect.com and walgreens.com comes close.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I knew a 4/5 year old boy who wore them daily *mom/dad put them in/took them out* *this boy was in preschool with my DD.

DS got contacts after I met that boy *he would've been 7/8* *DS's worn glasses since shortly before kindergarten. He doesn't wear them often *prefers glasses* when he does I put them in/take them out - he should be able to do it but he's squeemish about touching his eyes.

 

[angwill]

This was at Walmart that told me $60/month. She said $2 per day. Maybe it depends on the brand, and I forget what she told me.

These dailies and the every-two-weeks kind, do you sleep in these?

I slept in my contacts when they first came out with the ones you could sleep in. I would never recommend it because your eyes dry out when you sleep and the contact will dry a bit with the eye. Then there is a chance you can cut the cornea and that is awfully painful and could cause serious issues and even blindness over time. I have cut my cornea just napping in my overnight contacts and it is not pleasant.

 

[aprilgail2]

My son got contacts when he was 11. We went with the dailies - a lot less worry about his cleaning skills The great thing about them was his three month supply lasted about 5 1/2 months because he tended not to wear them around the house on weekends or all of Christmas break. Good luck!

This was at Walmart that told me $60/month. She said $2 per day. Maybe it depends on the brand, and I forget what she told me.

These dailies and the every-two-weeks kind, do you sleep in these?

My daughter uses the daily contacts- I love them, don't have to worry about cleaning them! They run about 1.00 per lens.

 

[mom*three]

My 11 year old just started. I asked her doctor for options, then I priced them out online. Got a 15 month supply of toric Proclear monthlies for under $155 and a $20 rebate off that. At $9/month (take out each night & soak) these were cheaper than 2 week Acuvue or dailies. Cleaning is fast and easy and will cost less than $20/year. Just shop around. I was stunned at the price differences and Walmart was expensive, though less than the doctor. Ended up ordering from a 1-800 place online that claims to sell "anylens," but check around because different brands were cheaper elsewhere. Oh, our insurance covered nothing.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I should find the old thread I started on this subject two years ago!

My now 14 DS started contacts at 12. He wouldn't be a top candidate for mature/responsible but boy was he motivated. Competitive baseball was the issue. He worked getting them in and out which was not easy at first, but within a week it was smooth sailing. Be patient with that. He wears 2 week types, just plunks them in solution in the case before bed and puts them on in the morning.

He wears Acuvue Oasys, and I just got 8 boxes for about $149 from Vision Direct with a coupon code found on-line, free shipping and no tax.

He has done better than I EVER would have predicted. Now if he would only do his homework as well . . .

 

[weezyree]

G'morning!

How exciting to put your child into CL!!! It's a quality of life issue for those of us who can't do anything without glasses. With the proper knowledge you can get the best use out of your CL and save money too.

Make sure they are NEVER slept in. I have seen corneal ulcers from seeing PT's sleep in them for a nap and had an ulcer which cause corneal scarring. That is irreversible. Now, that is one patient in 8 years of experience so take it with a grain of salt. But sleeping in them is never a good idea. The cornea needs oxygen.

Stretching CL to a month worth of wear instead of two weeks is possible if they are properly cared for. Empty the case of solution EVERY day. Air dry it upside down so dust doesn't get into it. Fresh solution should be used with every time. Always wash hands before taking the CL out.

That should help and good luck!!

 

[erincon23]

DS19 has been using Acuvue Oasys since he was in 7th grade. I agree -- it's a matter of maturity - I'm not sure I'd let DS16 get contacts (which he doesn't want)! DS19 had always taken excellent care of his musical instruments, did very well with personal hygiene (but couldn't get him to clean his room, oh well). I've asked the optometrist every year if there's a new, better lens to switch him to, but they always say that Oasys are among the best - - they're the 2-week kind, and DS almost never goes beyond the 2-week point with them (he marks on his calendar when he should change them, which is a very good idea).