STARTING THE CONVERSATION
Ask Yourself If You’re Ready
Most people can start wearing contact lenses in their early teens, but it’s more about how responsible you are. If you think you’d be good with cleaning your lenses, keeping to a replacement schedule and remembering to take them out, then you may be ready.
Talk to Your Parents
It helps to start the discussion by thinking about how contact lenses can benefit your lifestyle. Will they help make it easier for you to play sport, concentrate in the classroom, or feel more confident?
Prepare for the Chat with Your Optician
You may find it useful to prepare in advance any questions you may have about contact lenses, your vision, or wear and care. The optician will also have some questions for you.
REASONS FOR TEENAGERS TO GET CONTACT LENSES
Contact lenses can provide many benefits in terms of improved quality of life, including increased confidence in sports and social situations2.
90% of teenagers can successfully wear and care for contact lenses1. Once you get into the routine of putting on, taking off and cleaning your lenses, it is likely to become second nature.
82% of parents with vision corrected children say their child’s positive self-esteem is absolutely critical to them1. Contact lenses can help improve how you see and feel about yourself and how people see you.
CONTACT LENS CONCERNS FROM TEENAGERS
Putting them on is simple, it just takes some practice.
You might notice them at first, but soon you’ll get used to them.
If your lenses are clean and you care for them correctly you should have nothing to worry about.
Try talking to your parents about how you think contact lenses will benefit you, and explain how you will clean and care for them.
Talk to your optician, they’ll help you find the right contact lenses.
Cleaning your lenses is simple, it just takes some practice. See How to Care for Your Lenses.
Taking care of contact lenses is all about creating a routine. Find out more.
As with most new habits, all it takes is practice and patience.
†Please note professional eye examination and fitting fees may apply. UK residents 18 or over only. One trial per person. Eligibility subject to optician approval. Participating opticians only. See link for full terms and conditions.
1. A survey of UK contact lens practice for children and young people. College of Optometrists, 2014.
2. Walline JJ, Jones LA, Sinnott L et al. Randomized trial of the effect of contact lens wear on self-perception in children. Optom Vis Sci 2009;86:222–32.