Teens & contact lens -what do I need to know?

[StephMK]

DD13 has worn glasses the last few years and really, really wants contacts. I have absolutely no experience with them and DH only wears glasses.

What should I be aware of, are they easy to care for, and are there any hidden costs? We have an appt tomorrow for her annual eye exam. If we decide to go with them, they will train her in how to put them in and have her back in a week to check them.

What issues could come up, are they hard to manage, etc? I appreciate any comments & advice!!

 

[Jillpie]

My husband and two sons wear them. I asked DH for his advice for you and here's what he said. "Is this a mature, responsible 13 yr old? if so, the most important thing to make sure she does, is to be meticulous about hand washing before placing them in her eyes. Every single time. If you don't see her doing that, stop her in her tracks and make sure she does it first. She can get a serious eye infection and it's not worth the trouble if she isn't OCD about clean hands before she starts." So there you have it. Stick with your gut, if you don't think she'll be super careful with that, and the maintenance to take care of these tiny, almost sterile objects, don't do it. Otherwise, they're wonderful, but they come with a big level of responsibility.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Both my kids have worn contact lenses since 3rd grade. Both started with daily disposables.
DS is now going to 9th grade. Other than a couple torn lenses , he's had no issues. He now wears monthly lenses.

DD just started wearing her contacts about 3 months ago. She is still wearing the dailys. DD is not as responsible as DS so the daily lenses are good for her for a while though they are a lot more expensive.
She doesn't wear them everyday as opposed to DS who won't leave the house without his in.

Yes the technician at the office will teach your child to put the lenses in and out. Both my kids remark on how much better they can see with contacts vs glasses.

 

[sam_gordon]

DD got her contacts at age 11 for sports. The first couple days were rough because she had a tough time putting them in/taking them out. By the end of the first week, it was easy.

Make sure she does everything the same every night/morning... put the contacts in the same spot. Put the glasses in the same spot (there's nothing quite like taking contacts out and then not having glasses to see with at night).

 

[Pigeon]

I'd go for the daily disposables from the start. My teen started with monthly disposables. Like most teen girls, she likes eye make-up. While she is pretty hygienic, she ended up with a raging eye infection. We got that cleared up and she's used the daily contacts with no problems for some time now.

They are more expensive, but IMO, they are worth it for teens.

 

[cfriend416]

As far as hidden costs, the only one I can think of is that some insurances don't cover contact exams (different than regular eye exams) and some may only cover an exam every other year (yearly exams are needed to renew contact prescriptions).

Daily lenses do seem to be a good option for those who can afford them, but they are expensive. I have always worn 2 week lenses, but was told by my doctor that they can be worn up to 3 weeks. I just wear then until they become uncomfortable, 3 weeks tops.

 

[Tink888]

DD13 has worn glasses the last few years and really, really wants contacts. I have absolutely no experience with them and DH only wears glasses.

What should I be aware of, are they easy to care for, and are there any hidden costs? We have an appt tomorrow for her annual eye exam. If we decide to go with them, they will train her in how to put them in and have her back in a week to check them.

What issues could come up, are they hard to manage, etc? I appreciate any comments & advice!!

DS16 and I both wear them. Once she gets used to them they are pretty easy to care for. Like the earlier poster mentioned, make sure she ALWAYS washes her hands before handling them. If they are not extended wear lenses, do not sleep with them in. Be careful not to mix up which lens is for which eye. She'll have to be careful how she handles them as they can tear easily.

The only expenses other than the lenses themselves will be for saline solution/cleaner which she'll need to use in the case when she's not wearing them and when she puts them in.

You also might want to ask the eye doctor for a copy of her prescription. They will usually give you a copy, which is good for one year. If she needs to order more, you can buy them online and sometimes it's a little less expensive than getting them through your eye doctor.

ETA - Don't swim with them in, or if she does, keep her eyes closed when under the water.

 

[Pigeon]

My dd's are tons cheaper online than through the eye doctor.

 

[Janepod]

You also might want to ask the eye doctor for a copy of her prescription. They will usually give you a copy, which is good for one year. If she needs to order more, you can buy them online and sometimes it's a little less expensive than getting them through your eye doctor.

ETA - Don't swim with them in, or if she does, keep her eyes closed when under the water.

Don't buy contacts through the eye doctor. Get a copy of the prescription and order online (e.g., 1-800-contacts.) I have always found them to be a SIGNIFICANT savings (like 25 percent or better) vs. the doctor. Also have a current backup pair of eyeglasses (doesn't have to be fashionable, just current RX) in case your new contacts wearer develops an eye infection.

We have a good eye care plan through insurance, but for the few things that aren't covered our FSA has always picked up the balance.

 

[Pooh Crew]

My husband and I both wear contacts as do our two boys ages 12 and 13. Hand washing is of utmost importance.

The only other thing I will add is to instruct your child to let you know if anything gets on the lens. My sons are both excellent about all aspects with their contacts, but my youngest got a tiny speck of deodorant on his and tried to just use the cleanser to get it off. By mid-morning, his eye was bothering him, so I had the school nurse just tell him to take it out and throw it away. Good thing he did because the residual deodorant had caused an ulcer on his cornea and required a trip to the ER the second I saw him.

I'd start with disposables.

 

[cfriend416]

Also have a current backup pair of eyeglasses (doesn't have to be fashionable, just current RX) in case your new contacts wearer develops an eye infection.

VERY good point. Though you may want to make sure they're a pair she likes. I remember as a teenager I would wear my contacts even if my eyes were bothering me simply because I hated my backup glasses. Teenagers are not the most logical thinkers.

 

[HM]

My son wanted to wear them when he was 17. He NEVER got them into his eyes himself. He could not keep from blinking his eye when his finger got near the eyeball. He tried SO hard. I felt so bad for him. So, the cost of the visit and the lenses was basically a waste of money.

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

I got them when I was 16. I've only ever had daily disposable lenses, to reduce the risk of infection.

I don't remember ever having a problem putting them in. Everyone says "I could never touch my eye, but you learn quickly and it becomes no big deal.

I DO remember struggling to take them out for weeks after I got them. I don't know why, but I always had trouble "breaking the seal" on my eye and removing them. I finally figured out how to do it and haven't had issues (except that I wear them for too long each day - my eye doctor says not to wear them for more than 8 hours - sometimes it's more like 16!)

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for all of the advice! We're still on the fence about letting her get them now or making her wait and "earn" the right to wear them. She is good about hygiene but has not been great about wearing her rubber bands for braces. She also had some struggles with her grades this year so we question her reliability to be responsible in general. We've thought about making her wait until she can show she is responsible in other areas first.

I think we'll see how it goes tomorrow and go from there. She is very careful and has never lost or broken a pair of glasses so I'll give her that. I appreciate everyone's responses! They give us some points to think about.

 

[Fire14]

I've worn contacts since I was around 15 years old. I started out with gas permiable and I hated those for a lot of reasons. Since I've had soft lenses I've been fine, some brands are more comfortable that others and brand varies by person. I personally have had best luck with Acuve brand ones.

 

[wvjules]

Don't buy contacts through the eye doctor. Get a copy of the prescription and order online (e.g., 1-800-contacts.) I have always found them to be a SIGNIFICANT savings (like 25 percent or better) vs. the doctor. Also have a current backup pair of eyeglasses (doesn't have to be fashionable, just current RX) in case your new contacts wearer develops an eye infection.

We have a good eye care plan through insurance, but for the few things that aren't covered our FSA has always picked up the balance.

I generally agree with this statement, but strangely enough, my contacts cost the same at the eye doctor as they do from 800contacts, for both. I have Focus Daily and Acuvue Advance 2 (for extended wear).

 

[timmac]

One potential hidden cost is the contact lens exam may be more expensive than just a standard routine eye exam, and as some others have pointed out already, insurance may or may not fully cover. Additionally, fitting for some types of lenses may be yet an additional charge (toric lenses).

 

[mom2rtk]

In terms of cost also be aware that glasses can sometimes be stretched to last 2 or 3 years while contacts require a new exam every year.

My son moved to contacts at age 14. My daughter moved to contacts almost a year ago at age 11. Neither has had any issues. I was fine with both of them getting contacts because they are good at following directions and are quite responsible. When I explain the potential consequences of taking shortcuts they take me seriously.

If a kid is not good about following directions, or cuts corners in some areas of life, or does not have a predictable morning routine that allows time to care for them, I would be less inclined to agree to it.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

In terms of cost also be aware that glasses can sometimes be stretched to last 2 or 3 years while contacts require a new exam every year.

My son moved to contacts at age 14. My daughter moved to contacts almost a year ago at age 11. Neither has had any issues. I was fine with both of them getting contacts because they are good at following directions and are quite responsible. When I explain the potential consequences of taking shortcuts they take me seriously.

If a kid is not good about following directions, or cuts corners in some areas of life, or does not have a predictable morning routine that allows time to care for them, I would be less inclined to agree to it.

Not true I require a new exam every year before work but that could just be me

 

[mom2rtk]

Not true I require a new exam every year before work but that could just be me

Most kids don't work anywhere that would require an annual eye exam.

Those with vision care insurance might choose to get a new exam every year regardless. But with 5 of us in the house with glasses or contacts and no vision coverage at all, the benefit of having glasses and not needing a new exam every year (unless the glasses need to be replaced) is big. I wore my last pair for 5 years so for 5 years I had no vision related expenses. That's definitely not the case for my 2 in contacts.