Being a teenager is never easy. Even the most self-confident teen sometimes feels out of place, or worries he won’t be accepted for one reason or another. These types of concerns often cause teenagers to feel uncomfortable wearing eyeglasses, and lead them to want to try contact lenses as an alternative. But are contact lenses and teens a good fit? 

Truth is, contacts are a perfectly viable means of vision correction for many teens. In fact, thousands of teens across the United States wear contact lenses every day. Contact lenses are designed to address a variety of vision needs, from nearsightedness and farsightedness to astigmatism and more.

Wearing contacts can also help a teenager feel more attractive, and even make him more outgoing. Contact lenses also have practical benefits for teens involved in sports or extracurricular events, as they won’t fog up, slide down your child’s nose or break from a collision. When necessary, contacts also allow your child to easily wear protective goggles or non-prescription sunglasses.

A few years ago, researchers from multiple colleges of optometry published the results of their Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) study, examining the impact of wearing contact lenses on 85 teenagers. 73% of teens reported receiving positive feedback from peers as a result of their switch to wearing contacts. 65% reported wearing contacts improved their performance in activities. Researchers also found no serious adverse effects on participants from wearing contact lenses.

There’s no specific age at which contacts become suitable for young people, but many eye care professionals suggest waiting until somewhere between ages 11-14. The biggest factor is your child’s individual responsibility level. Is he or she ready to handle the maintenance routine required to wear contacts? Thankfully, the CLIP study reported 89% of teens found it easy to clean and take care of their lenses.

If you and your child are ready to take the next step towards switching to contacts, schedule a consultation with North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care. Our optometrists and opticians will craft the ideal prescription to help your teen see – and look – his very best.