Minimum Age for Contacts

It really depends on the level of responsibility that the child has. I got mine at 12 or 13. My 10 yr old got her's this summer. She actually prefers to wear her glasses more than her contacts, but she is able to wear them and take care of them. Her Ophthalmologist has her in 1 day contacts so she wears them, takes them out and throws them away. No need to worry about cleaning and storing.

I got contacts at 13 (back in the 70's) - and that was young back then.
My glasses prescription was ridiculously high and the plastics available at the time made my glasses pretty hideous.
The main thing is maturity level rather than age so the lenses are properly cared for and cleaned to minimize risk of infection.

I just read:

" In a recent study that involved fitting nearsighted children of ages 8-11 with one-day disposable contact lenses, 90 percent of the kids had no trouble applying or removing the contacts without assistance from their parents.".

So the age range is younger than I though it was.

Probably depends on the child.
I think I got mine around 12.

I got glasses at 11, contacts at 13. It was an appropriate age for me.

I got mine at 12. This was good because I was prescribed glasses at 9 and never wore them. I still wear contacts and love them. My son got glasses when he was 5 and has no problems with them. He is 9 now and has never asked about contacts (he knows I wear them).

I got them at 12 with no issues.

If they can get them in and out, they are old enough. My daughter was 11

When they are adept at managing them. If they are horribly expensive when they're adults. If they are comfortably priced and affordable then I'd let him have some once his prescription is tried and true and he's able to put them in, take them out, clean them on the spot, and more.

My daughter got glasses at 7 (she is now 16). She plays basketball so you can imagine how difficult that was for her. Her glasses got knocked off often. At about 9 or 10 years old we inquired with her eye doctor about contacts since she plays basketball. He answered us with a few questions. He asked how well she cleaned her room, how good she was about doing homework and taking care of pets, etc, etc. he told her she couldn't get contacts until she was responsible enough to take care of them like she takes care of her other responsibilities. She is pretty responsible anyway but she stepped it up! She ended up getting contacts when she was in 5th or 6th grade (I can't remember). The eye doctor said he usually won't prescibe contacts to kids before middle school.

I think the minimum age should be when a child is old enough to be responsible for caring for the lens, putting them in and taking them out, cleaning, and when the ophthalmologist thinks the child is ready. I would guess this would not be before the age of 12, but it would depend on the child.

Also, when the time comes, be sure your son really wants contacts. When I was 13, my mom decided I "wanted" contacted, and had my ophthalmologist order them, against my objections. I hated them, and was miserable for the 6 months I had to were them. When I got an eye infection because I wasn't caring for them properly, she let me go back to glasses.

My daughter got them at 8 yo a month before she turned 9.

All depends on the kid and if they want them. If THEY are the one that wants them...they will be more responsible. My first son got them when he was 10, my third son just got his at 9 years old. Both have had absolutely no problem with them.

Also...as the eye dr said...a lot depends on how comfortable a person is touching their eye. There are adults who won't wear contacts for that one reason, while a young child may not have that fear.

I was 7 when I got glasses, 14 when I got contacts. Really, there isn't an age though. It's when you think he's responsible enough to take care of them.

It depends on how responsible the child is, but I'd say 11-12. And I'd also say anyone under 14 should be in a lens you throw away every day (1 day disposable) because the chances of an eye infection are much less. I'd also make sure the child knows contacts are in addition to glasses. You still have to be able to give your eyes a break and have something to wear should you run out of contacts or be unable to wear them due to infection. (Every single person, regardless of age, who wears contacts should have back up glasses.)

I think it has more to do with how responsible they will be than if they can put them in. Contacts need a lot of care so you do not damage the eye. Not cleaning them properly, being reckless, not removing them etc.

I got mine at 18--because that was when I was able to go get the exam and lenses myself. One of my girls is 15 and she is currently trying a pair to see how they turn out. She has found out that wearing contacts is not all fun and roses.