Contact lenses are specialized medical devices intended to correct vision by resting directly on the surface of the eye. They require a specific prescription from an eye care professional, as they must be precisely fitted to the curvature and diameter of the cornea. The decision to begin wearing these lenses is highly individualized, depending on a person’s visual needs and their capacity to manage the lenses responsibly. When proper hygiene and wear guidelines are consistently followed, contact lenses offer a safe and effective vision correction method.
Determining Physical and Mental Readiness
The minimum age for starting contact lens use is not fixed, as the decision is based on a person’s maturity and behavior. While physical factors like eye size and tear film stability are considered during an examination, behavioral readiness is the most significant factor for safe wear. Children as young as eight can be successful wearers, especially when lenses are used for medical reasons like managing myopia, but most start between ages eight and twelve.
A person must demonstrate the responsibility required to handle a medical device. This includes the dexterity needed for insertion and removal, as well as the discipline to follow a strict cleaning and replacement schedule. If a person requires frequent reminders for basic hygiene tasks like handwashing or teeth brushing, they may not yet be prepared for the necessary rigor of contact lens care.
Motivation is a strong indicator of readiness, as those who genuinely want to wear contacts are more likely to comply with safety instructions. For certain conditions, such as aphakia (the absence of the eye’s lens), contact lenses may be medically necessary even for infants or toddlers. For elective use, however, the ability to take ownership of the care routine and understand the seriousness of eye health are the foremost considerations.
When to Temporarily Stop Wearing Contacts
Wearers must immediately cease use if they experience symptoms of irritation, discomfort, or potential infection. These warning signs include persistent redness, unusual pain, excessive tearing, blurred vision, or a foreign body sensation. Continuing to wear lenses while the eye is irritated can cause further damage or allow an existing condition to worsen rapidly.
Common eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or styes require that lenses be removed until the condition has fully resolved and a doctor has given clearance to resume wear. Lenses should also be avoided in environments with severe irritants, such as heavy dust or strong chemical fumes. They must also be removed while swimming, as water can introduce dangerous microorganisms like Acanthamoeba. Even mild irritation, such as that caused by seasonal allergies or sensitivity to lens solutions, warrants a temporary switch back to glasses to allow the eye surface to normalize.
Following surgical procedures like LASIK or cataract surgery, patients must adhere to a specific recovery period before wearing contacts again. The recovery time is determined by the eye surgeon and ensures the cornea has healed. In all cases of unusual symptoms, the primary action is to remove the lenses and consult an eye care provider for an assessment.
Understanding Daily Wear Schedules
Contact lenses are categorized based on their intended wear schedule. Daily wear lenses must always be removed before sleeping, as they are not designed for overnight use. Extended wear lenses, made from highly oxygen-permeable materials like silicone hydrogel, are approved for continuous overnight use but still require scheduled removal and cleaning.
The standard recommended wear time for most daily lenses ranges from eight to sixteen hours per day, though many eye care professionals suggest limiting wear to twelve to fourteen hours. Wearing lenses for longer than the recommended duration, known as overwear, significantly reduces the oxygen supply to the cornea, a condition called hypoxia. Since the cornea lacks blood vessels, it draws oxygen directly from the air, and the lens acts as a barrier.
Chronic oxygen deprivation damages the corneal epithelium, making the eye susceptible to infection. Overwear also increases the risk of developing microbial keratitis or corneal ulcers, which can lead to permanent scarring and vision loss. New wearers should begin with a short initial period, such as four to six hours, and gradually increase the duration to allow the eye to adjust.