Being young is full of milestones, sports, first dance, getting a driver’s license, and even a job. Prescription glasses can feel as if they get in the way of all the activities, but are contact lenses a good option.

A recent study published in the journal of Optometry and Vision Science, puts into question the safety of contact lenses for teenagers and younger children.

“Analyzing nine prospective studies that included 1,800 “patient-years” of soft contact lens wear in patients ages 7 to 19, the research focused on signs of corneal infiltrative events that could lead to serious infections, such as microbial keratitis. The analysis found a low rate of corneal infiltrative events-only 136 events per 10,000 years; one large retrospective study found rates of events lower in younger children, 97 events per 10,000 years in 8- to 12-year-old children, vs. 335 events per 10,000 in 13- to 17-year-old children.” American Optometric Association.

“The overall picture is that the incidence of corneal infiltrative events in children is no higher than in adults, and in the youngest age range of 8 to 11 years, it may be markedly lower,” notes study author Mark Bullimore, MCOptom, Ph.D., of University of Houston College of Optometry, in a news release. “The lower rate of adverse events in this youngest group is a result of patient behavior rather than biological factors, and greater parental supervision also may help to mitigate risks.”

While contact lenses have been proven safe for school age children and come with many benefits, it is of utmost important they follow all the wearing schedule and good hygiene practices.

The freedom from the limitations that comes with wearing prescription glasses can be significant for a child. From playing sports to social acceptance. In fact, recent research by the Adolescent and Children Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE), study children between the ages of 8 and 11. Which found the children who used contact lenses scored better on a Self Perception Profile for Children scale, over children who used prescription glasses.

If you have any questions about your child wearing contact lenses or prescription glasses, please don’t hesitate to contact Lake Nona Eye Care.