This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.
When fitting children with contact lenses, consider the many benefits. Studies have shown a statistically significant improvement in self-perception regarding physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance in children wearing contact lenses versus those wearing spectacles alone.1
This was exactly my perceived personal benefit with contact lenses as a 12-year-old kid who had glasses, braces, and an acne problem—all at the same time. Contact lenses provided me more confidence as a seventh grader. Grow this younger population of daily disposable wearers by focusing on the foundational steps:
- Make the offer. Take the initiative to let younger patients know if they are a good candidate for contact lens wear. Many kids and/or parents may be nervous to even ask about them. Additionally, ask patients what activities specifically interest them. Discuss the potential advantages of wearing contact lenses compared to spectacles with their specific sports and activities.
- If interested in moving forward, provide proper application and removal techniques.This can be quite challenging for some kids, but taking the extra time to help them over that hump is critical. This can include written and video instructions, but develop the plan, implement the plan, and be prepared to spend a little extra time with these patients. Preparation will help achieve confidence from the parental and kids’ perspectives.
- Prescribe the best option. There are lots of contact lens options to consider, but daily disposable lenses are most often the option that I prescribe for many reasons. They are the most convenient by far and often provide higher levels of success out of the gate. I know my own kids are not always the best at keeping their rooms clean, so I would expect the same if they wore reusable contact lenses. For that and many other reasons, daily disposables are my first option when prescribing kids with contact lenses.
There are many social and performance advantages with kids and contact lens wear. Consider taking the proactive approach by taking the steps to prepare for this population. Finally, take a little extra time to make sure that patients also develop their own foundation for successful contact lens wear.
Reference
1. 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 Mar;86:222-232.
