Reader Question: Should I Get My Daughter Contacts for Christmas?
Dear America’s Best:
My dear daughter turns fifteen this year. She’s begging to get contact lenses for Christmas but I’m just not sure. She’s been wearing glasses since she was seven years old and is ready for the freedom that contact lenses provide. But, I’m curious as to whether or not at fifteen she is ready to take care of them properly. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Maria in Texas
Dear Maria:
Contact lenses are a great option for many teens and even pre-teens now. Care has never been easier. If your daughter has demonstrated to you that she can handle some simple responsibilities such as: keeping her room clean, handling a regular household chore, or even consistently doing her homework, then there is a good chance she’d be able to handle the daily care required with contact lens wearing.
Another thing to remember: before she gets started wearing contact lenses, her optometrist and, likely, an optical assistant or optician will train her in proper contact lens care. She’ll be taught how to take care of the lenses and why this is so important. This will help her understand the gravity of contact lens maintenance while empowering her with the responsibility.
There are two main topics of discussion that I think you should broach with your daughter before you make the purchase. The first one is to make sure that she understands how she must commit to taking care of her contacts. Explain to her that, depending on the type of lenses she gets, she may have to clean and sterilize her lenses daily. Also, she’ll have to commit to telling you if she notices any scratches or tears so that the lens can be replaced.
Second, make sure your daughter understand that contacts aren’t a cosmetics item. Educate her on how her contacts were created only for her, and are not to be shared with friends. Make sure she also understands that friends who share contact lenses (mainly colored contact lenses) are engaging in a really dangerous behavior that could lead to permanent vision problems.
Your America’s Best optometrist will be able to talk to both you and your daughter about what kind of lenses would suit her best given her eyeglass prescription and lifestyle. The doctor may recommend lenses that can be worn for a week at a time. Or, he may suggest purchasing daily disposable lenses that eliminate the need for daily care. There’s a good chance that the friendly staff at your closest America’s Best will be able to find a great option for your teen daughter.
Click here to find your closest America’s Best location and schedule an eye exam today!
