The age a person can begin wearing contact lenses is determined by their level of personal maturity and responsibility, not chronological age. Contact lenses are medical devices that require consistent daily care to prevent serious eye health complications. While some eye care professionals suggest children as young as eight can successfully manage lens wear, the decision rests on the individual’s ability to adhere to a hygiene regimen and follow medical instructions. Readiness is the most significant factor, making some younger children suitable candidates while some teenagers may not be.
Readiness: Responsibility and Hygiene Requirements
The non-physical demands of contact lens wear are the primary determinant of success, regardless of age. Proper use requires a consistent commitment to hygiene, beginning with thorough handwashing before touching the lenses. This act is foundational to preventing the transfer of bacteria and pathogens from the hands to the eye.
A contact lens wearer must adhere to a consistent cleaning schedule for reusable lenses, using only the specific solution recommended by their eye care professional to rub, rinse, and disinfect the lenses after each use. The lens storage case is a potential breeding ground for microorganisms and must be rinsed with fresh solution, air-dried, and replaced regularly, typically every one to three months. Failure to follow this process increases the risk of infection.
Adherence to the prescribed wearing schedule is also necessary. The individual must consistently remember to insert and remove the lenses at appropriate times and avoid sleeping or napping in lenses unless approved for extended overnight wear. The ability to articulate discomfort or redness is a sign of readiness, allowing for prompt removal and medical consultation.
The Professional Fitting and Eye Health Assessment
Before any person begins wearing contacts, a comprehensive eye examination and professional fitting by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is required. This process is distinct from a standard eye exam for glasses, as it focuses on the health of the anterior segment of the eye. The eye doctor assesses the overall health of the eye, looking for pre-existing conditions like severe dry eye or allergies that might preclude comfortable lens wear.
Instruments like a keratometer or corneal topographer are used to measure the curvature and dimensions of the cornea. This measurement is essential for determining the correct lens base curve and diameter, ensuring the lens fits properly. A poor fit can either starve the cornea of oxygen (too tight) or cause irritation (too loose). The doctor also evaluates the quantity and quality of the tear film, as an unstable tear film can cause discomfort and poor lens performance.
The fitting process involves a trial period with specific lenses, allowing the eye care professional to observe how the lens moves on the eye and whether it provides adequate vision and comfort. A training session follows, where the patient is taught the proper techniques for lens insertion, removal, and care. Follow-up appointments are scheduled, typically within a week or two, to confirm the eye is adjusting well and to finalize the prescription.
Health Consequences of Contact Lens Misuse
When hygiene and wear-time requirements are not met, consequences can range from minor discomfort to sight-threatening infections. The most serious outcome is microbial keratitis, a severe inflammation of the cornea often caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This condition occurs when microorganisms colonize the lens and infect the underlying corneal tissue, leading to a painful corneal ulcer.
Poor hygiene, such as using tap water to rinse lenses or failing to clean the case, introduces harmful microbes to the eye’s surface. Wearing lenses for prolonged periods or sleeping in non-approved lenses reduces the oxygen supply to the cornea. This oxygen deprivation compromises the cornea’s defenses, making it vulnerable to infection and ulcer formation. Untreated ulcers cause severe pain, redness, light sensitivity, and result in permanent corneal scarring and vision loss.