My son wants contacts

My oldest son is 10 and is asking for contacts. He goes to the eye doctor in two weeks and I am just not sure he is old enough yet, or mature enough. He's been wearing glasses since he was in kindergarten and says he just tired of wearing glasses everyday. What do you think?

 

Honestly, I don't think he realizes what is involved with contacts. Maybe a friend or two has them, maybe he's starting to notice girls & is worried what they think of boys in glasses. He needs to realize he'd have to be able to put in and remove something from his eyeball. He'd have to potentially deal with dry eyes and rewetting drops (this is my nemesis with contacts). He'd have to deal with the times when he accidentally rubs his eye, or something bumps it, and the contact comes out...or like during my brothers wedding ceremony (I was a bridesmaid and was up at the altar) the dang thing came lose IN my eye and hurt like the dickens). He'd have to deal with a contact coming lose in his eye and would have to fish it out (they sometimes bunch up under the lids or in the corner of the eye if the seal is broken between the contact & the eyeball).

I guess what I'm saying is that if you are questioning his maturity, trust your gut.

 

I'd go with your gut feelings. Is he normally fastidious and careful with his personal hygiene? Does he always remember to brush his teeth on his own, and does he do a really good job? Do you have to remind him to shower?

I personally could never stick something in my eye. Shudder.

However, both my boys (16.5 and 14) wear glasses. I know DS2 would NEVER be careful enough for contacts; luckily for me he doesn't like the idea of putting anything in his eye either, and considers glasses sort of a geek-appropriate accessory anyway. DS1 is more interested in contacts, but he mostly only needs them for reading the board at school and so we got him glasses this time. DS2 wears his all the time.

 

I agree with the pp that contacts are a big responsability and if you don't think he is mature enough then it's probably not a good idea yet. I got contacts when I was 15 and got a lot of eye infections and had to go through a lot of different contacts and solutions until I stopped getting infections so much. Maybe you could talk to his eye doctor and get a pair of trial contacts to see how he does. You also have to think about the expense of contacts too, with the disposables (I had every two weeks throw them out) and having to buy the solution. You also have to make sure you carry your glasses around with you incase something happens to your contacts while out (mine got torn once when it came out of my eye and I was trying to put it back in).

 

Could u maybe discuss it with the eye doctor. Maybe he can give u a few free trial ones to see how it goes, before you get new glasses.

 

I can totally sympathize with your DS. :hug99: I got contacts when I started middle school and I just turned 11. I was so tired of wearing glasses all my life (since K) and it really hurt my self esteem since I was teased so much because of them. It is a big responsibility, does he know all that goes into it? I would sit down and talk to him and let him know all that goes into taking care of contacts. Personally I feel if thinks he is ready for them and will take on the responsibility to care for them then I would let him get them. Maybe when he goes to he dr. he can explain all that goes into and then make up your mind. But I would consider them.

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Jul 6 2008, 02:47 PM) [snapback]862111[/snapback]
It is a big responsibility, does he know all that goes into it? I would sit down and talk to him and let him know all that goes into taking care of contacts. Personally I feel if thinks he is ready for them and will take on the responsibility to care for them then I would let him get them. Maybe when he goes to he dr. he can explain all that goes into and then make up your mind. But I would consider them.

I agree. I'd talk to him about all that is involved and talk to the optician about it. Are there certain things he wants them for especially (like sports)? If so maybe he could wear contacts on those days and glasses the rest of the time.
If he really wants them even after he knows what is involved (and his Dr thinks it's fine) I'd let him try. You could always get enough disposables for a month or two and see how he does. If he is not able to take proper care of them then don't get any more until he is older.

 

I started wearing contacts in 7th grade & never had any problems with them. And that was in the days when they had to be cleaned & put in a disinfection unit that basically boiled them for awhile. My daughter (who has been wearing glasses since she was 3) just got contacts this year (she's 12). I got her the type that you wear once & throw away, with the understanding that they aren't for everyday use. So, she wears them 2 or 3 days a week & wears her glasses the rest of the time. It's been a great solution.

That being said, she has wanted contacts for a couple of years now. The eye doctor was willing to let her try back when she was 10, but she couldn't get them in by herself. She tried & tried at the doctor's office & just couldn't do it. So, we waited & let her try again this year and it wasn't a problem. At 10, it might be too young, I would just talk to the eye doctor & get their opinions.

 

I agree with the PP and maybe he can try the one a day thing. I have those (I only wear contacts on special occations) Those are probably better for a 10 year old. I got contacts at 12 but I realized after a few days, they were not for me so I only wore them for special occations, like I do now.

 

QUOTE(tinalb @ Jul 6 2008, 01:08 PM) [snapback]862296[/snapback]
The eye doctor was willing to let her try back when she was 10, but she couldn't get them in by herself. She tried & tried at the doctor's office & just couldn't do it. So, we waited & let her try again this year and it wasn't a problem. At 10, it might be too young, I would just talk to the eye doctor & get their opinions.


Another good point. There is a finesse to getting them in that takes some practice. Just letting him try it at the Drs office could give him a reality check.

 

QUOTE(rubyturquoise @ Jul 6 2008, 09:31 AM) [snapback]862101[/snapback]
I'd go with your gut feelings. Is he normally fastidious and careful with his personal hygiene? Does he always remember to brush his teeth on his own, and does he do a really good job? Do you have to remind him to shower?

I think this is good advice. Since mine are still in the toddler stage, I can't really say much about his maturity for handling contacts, but I can tell you if it is really important to him I bet he could step up and show you he can handle it if given the chance.

QUOTE(summerfun @ Jul 6 2008, 09:47 AM) [snapback]862111[/snapback]
I can totally sympathize with your DS. :hug99: I got contacts when I started middle school and I just turned 11. I was so tired of wearing glasses all my life (since K) and it really hurt my self esteem since I was teased so much because of them. It is a big responsibility, does he know all that goes into it? I would sit down and talk to him and let him know all that goes into taking care of contacts. Personally I feel if thinks he is ready for them and will take on the responsibility to care for them then I would let him get them. Maybe when he goes to he dr. he can explain all that goes into and then make up your mind. But I would consider them.

I also wore glasses from 2nd grade until 9th grade, when my mom fianly let me get contacts. I had been begging her for years. I hated wearing my glasses and still remember how happy I was to get my contacts. I took very good care of them (back in the days of cleaning solution, rinse, heat sanize every night). I never carried my glasses with me - although maybe it is a good idea at first. I've also never had one come out - myabe a difference in brands or hard vs soft? Dh has hard and does have them comeout occasionally. Mine are soft and I've never had an issue with them. I like the idea of a "trial period".

 

I just wanted to thank all of you tat responded. You gave me a lot of things to think about that I had not thought of before.

 

I got my contacts when I was 12 (after wearing glasses for 5 years) and I still remember the first time I went outside and just looked around. It was an awesome feeling to be able to see everything without the blurry parts around the sides and top of my glasses. It was like a whole new world. I'd let him get a trial pair from the eye dr and see how it works out.

 

I agree- talk to the Dr and your son.

I got contacts at 12 and LOVED them....I have poor vision and glasses still did not help peripheal vision at all so participating in athletics was difficult. Plus glasses steamed up in the winter when I got warm and were jsut not easy to use (had them since I was 5) since mine were bulky and too strong to not wear them all the time.

If he is responsible, it may be a good thing for him to try. Most offices allow 'trial' periods so you do not waste insurance & if you cant put them in or use them.

Good Luck!

KC

 

Hannah, my 10 year old, just got contacts at the beginning of June, and loves them. I agree though, how responsible she is, played a big part in my decision to let her get them. I got them at age 12, and have been in them ever since, and cannot imagine wearing glasses full-time ever again!

 

I also started wearing contacts at age 12. I played a lot of sports so it made things a lot easier. Wearing contacts is something I do not regret at all. It is a big responsibility and can be awkward at first (i.e. purposely trying to stick something in your eye!) I agree with PP and have your son speak with the doctor and explain everything involved. Good luck!

 

We just tried this last year, when DS turned 9. He had been BEGGING for contacts, so when his eye exam came due, we decided to let him get contacts if the eye doctor agreed he was ready. He is an extrodinarily fastidious child, but the care of them was only one small part of the equation. It was, quite frankly, a disaster. He loved the idea of them, but he couldn't get them in by himself. It takes quite a bit of effort to get them in the first few times and since I don't wear contacts, I wasn't much help! He loved them once they were in, though. He felt like they were more comfortable and more convenient than glasses, especially during recess, and especially during winter! He had a bad experience at school, though, where one of his contacts fell out. It was very traumatic for him. He couldn't get it back in by himself and he was embarrassed. So, the days of wearing contacts were pretty short lived. I am so thankful that we bought a back-up pair of glasses at the same time as the new contacts! He hasn't asked for contacts again, and now he has a lot of health issues that affect his vision and may hinder contacts in the future. This all said, we do know several children, as young as 8 who wear contacts with absolutely no problem. I think a lot of it is just the kid!

 

B&C got contacts at age 11 (almost 12) and have done great with them. Once they could put them in and take them out, they were golden! That's the hardest part. The ladies at the office where we got them were wondferful in helping them, very patient. Sean was 13 (almost 14) when he got his and he had a harder time learning to put them in and take them out because he has very sensitive eyes, but once he got it, he was good. None of them have ever had a problem caring for them or wearing them. I don't think I'd encourage kids much younger than 10 to attempt them, though.

 

Thanks so much for all the help. For those of you whose kids have them, what kind should we try. I always had the disposables, but I haven't had to wear contacts in over 5 years b/c I had LASIK. I think I may let him try some, what kind do you suggest? Thanks so much.

 

keep in mind too it may take him a while to learn to get them in and out at the doctors office just because he's nervous and its the first time! I got contacts at 14 and the first time I put them in at the doctors office it took 45 minutes - but the doctor expected that! it gets easier and easier...

I can't wear them anymore because I'm diabetic and wearing them makes my eyes too dry but from 14 to 24 I wore them every day and loved them!

 

Brian and Craig wear Acuvue Oasys disposable lenses. They change them out every two weeks. They are supposed to keep well hydrated in the eyes. Lou wears them also. Sean and I both wear Bausch and Lomb toric disposables because we both have astigmatism in both eyes.

 

Just thought I'd update. We took Luke to the doctor and talked about wearing contacts with the doc. He told us to hold off because Luke's eyes are actually getting better and he may not have to wear glasses that much longer if he wears them very consistently over the next year. Great news for Luke!! Thanks for all the wonderful info.

 

Thanks for the update. That's great that his eyes might get better that would be even better than getting contacts. I hope your son isn't to upset that he won't be getting them and he has to wear his glasses for another year. I wish my eyes got better and not kept getting worse.

 

QUOTE(Utopia122 @ Jul 16 2008, 09:23 AM) [snapback]879174[/snapback]
Thanks so much for all the help. For those of you whose kids have them, what kind should we try. I always had the disposables, but I haven't had to wear contacts in over 5 years b/c I had LASIK. I think I may let him try some, what kind do you suggest? Thanks so much.


The lenses that the Dr started Hannah out on, are called Focus Day and Night Lenses. You could actually wear them all day and night, but she doesn't. The reason he put her in those, is that they are more breathable, and he said they are a good starter lens for kids. She has been wearing them for almost two months(only during the day) and hasn't had any problems at all.