Kiddipedia
Currently, one in six Australian kids aged between 10 and 14 wear glasses, and many more younger children experience vision problems. Many children may suffer from other more complicated visual disorders besides common myopia or nearsightedness. If your child shows any signs of vision issues, healthcare professionals recommend bringing them to a specialist.
These experts will most likely prescribe the use of a corrective vision tool: glasses or contact lenses. Both of these have distinct qualities that make them uniquely beneficial. Keep reading to know which option is best for your child.
What are the pros?
Contacts
Contacts are great for active kids. Eye experts usually recommend them for children that play sports. It’s beneficial for their peripheral vision as there are no frames to get in the way. Furthermore, kids are less likely to damage them even with lots of movement.
They also aren’t as complicated as they seem, especially if kids opt for daily lenses. These disposable contacts require less upkeep since they are only for one-time use. It’s more convenient for kids as it eliminates a lot of extra steps, and they can simply wear new ones every day.
Many online lens retailers have also made them more accessible by providing an easy order process. This can be seen with ContactsDirect, as they only require your kid’s prescription when placing an order. Shipping and delivery only take two days, which means you no longer have to worry about setting an appointment for your child.
Glasses
With glasses, your kids’ eyes are better protected from dirt and debris. Children who play outdoors may unknowingly be touching their faces, unintentionally bringing bacteria to their eyes. Glasses can minimize that risk and shield their eyes from other accidents.
Glasses are also straightforward for children. They barely require any upkeep, and kids can easily wear them without any assistance from their parents.
They can also be a form of self-expression for children. There are many frame styles available online that are eye-catching for young wearers. Retailers like Zenni Optical have a special kids’ section full of colorful choices. You can opt for their rush delivery option, which takes around five days
What are the cons?
Contacts
Contacts tend to be a bit pricey as they are bought in packs. However, studies have proven that they are more effective than glasses in slowing down myopia development in kids. Thus, it can be considered an investment in preserving your child’s eyesight. Additionally, many retailers offer discounts when buying in bulk.
Using contacts also requires a certain amount of discipline that some kids may lack. To avoid infections, children should always be mindful of washing their hands and not sleeping in single-use contacts. Parents who want to be safe can purchase from brands like Biofinity, which make contacts that can be worn for seven days straight. Other multiple-use contacts also need upkeep to be preserved. They can’t be washed with regular tap water as they require special cleaning solutions. Some eye experts recommend waiting until your child is at least eight years old before giving them the responsibility of long-term contact lenses.
Glasses
Unlike adults who only have to change glasses once every 2-3 years, kids have to change frames more often as they grow. Glasses should fit the child comfortably. Buying a bigger pair for them to grow into can cause more vision problems down the line. Make sure to get them age-appropriate frames.
Unfortunately, glasses can cause self-esteem issues. Studies have discovered that children tend to feel insecure when wearing new glasses, so you may have to have a difficult conversation with your child. Another way to overcome this is to let them be the ones to choose the frames that they like and introduce them to glasses-wearing people that can serve as their role models. Brands such as Oakley produce stylish glasses that focus on the youth demographic that are fashionable as well as functional, which should alleviate feelings of self-consciousness. Crosslink, Shifter, and Airdrop are all Oakley-branded eyeglasses that look great as well as being functional.
Glasses are also prone to scratching or breakage among kids. Some parents online share that their child’s glasses have to be replaced every few months due to damage while playing. There are ear hooks for children that ensure their glasses stay on while running or playing.
