Does Your Teen Want to Wear Contacts? Here’s What You Need to Know
People opt to wear contact lenses over glasses for many reasons. Some may wish to try out new eye colours. Meanwhile, those needing vision correction might prefer contacts because they’re more convenient to wear, provide sharper vision, or have a cleaner aesthetic than glasses frames. That’s probably why the UK has one of the biggest contact lens-wearing populations in the world, at 3.9 million strong.
Is your teen considering transitioning from glasses to contacts for these reasons? It’ll be essential to emphasise that doing so will not be as straightforward as simply using glasses. Since they sit directly on the eye, they require precautions to avoid untoward events like infections.
Here’s what you need to know before helping them make the switch.
They need a prescription
You can’t just buy contacts willy-nilly. Like glasses, you’ll need a prescription before buying a pair—even if your teen doesn’t require vision correction. That’s because a contact lens prescription also dictates how they should be sized to fit comfortably on their eyes. As such, you should first book a contact lens fitting for your teen, whether with your usual optometrist or at chain stores like Boots Opticians. Your
optician or optometrist will ask about their lifestyle habits and measure their eyes. You’ll get a personal copy of the resulting prescription, which will allow you to purchase contact lenses in-store or online. Your teen will also receive recommendations on what kind of contacts to get, whether it be the moisturising kind if they have dry eye syndrome or toric lenses that correct astigmatism.
They shouldn’t be bought to follow trends
If your kid’s looking to hop on a style trend and is in the market for coloured contacts or costume lenses, you’re more likely to come across unlicensed vendors and may accidentally purchase products that haven’t been approved or tested by the proper authorities. Similar to how experts warn against viral skincare trends that can harm younger skin, eye care professionals advise against purchasing contacts just because they’e in vogue for their colour or unique design. Such trendy contact lenses can put your teen at risk for infections that may, in the worst-case scenario, cause blindness. You can always ask an optician or optometrist for a list of reputable sellers you can buy from.
They can be affordable
Contacts are generally more expensive than glasses. However, there are plenty of ways to save on your purchase if you fully support your teen’s decision to make the switch from glasses. As Vision Direct exemplifies, buying contact lenses online is generally the best way to do just that. For example, you can use coupon codes upon checkout or get them in bulk to bring down the individual prices of each pair. You can also avail of student discounts to get your teen reputable contacts like everclear ADM, Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, and FreshLook Colors. You can even have them try the lenses out with a free trial, so you don’t need to follow through with a purchase if they aren’t the right fit. Explore your options to get their new contacts at the best possible price without sacrificing quality.
They require responsibility
Getting a prescription and buying affordable contacts from authorised sellers is just the beginning for your teen. You also need to gauge if they’re responsible enough to wear these lenses in the first place—because these products require stringent upkeep to be used safely and comfortably. For example, your teen needs to avoid sleeping in them or putting them in contact with water when swimming or showering. Doing so can prevent oxygen from entering the eyes and make them more vulnerable to infections while sucking up moisture. If you feel your teen may be lax about these best practices, it may help to share instances where contact lens wearers lost their eyesight in one or both eyes due to not following them. Believe your kid’s up to the task? Keep a close eye on how they handle their contacts to help them establish healthy habits when using them.
Are you ready for your teen to wear contacts? With the above information, you can give yourself peace of mind before you help them make the switch.
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