The Parent’s Guide to Proper Contact Lens Hygiene for Kids

As parents, navigating the world of contact lens hygiene for your children can feel like uncharted territory. With the rise in childhood eye conditions like myopia (Smith et al., 2020), it’s more important than ever to be proactive about your child’s eye health. While we, as eye care professionals, are well-versed in this subject, we understand that it can be new and even overwhelming for parents. That’s why we’ve created this guide, filled with engaging and easy-to-follow tips to keep you actively involved in your child’s lens care. We aim to demystify what can seem like a complicated topic, turning it into an approachable and even enjoyable learning experience for the whole family.

Tip 1: Make Lens Care a Habit

Consistency is key! Regular reminders can go a long way in ensuring your child takes proper care of their lenses. Studies show that clear, repeated advice significantly improves lens care routines and reduces the risk of eye infections (Alipour et al., 2022).

• For Parents: Put up a lens care checklist in a visible spot and set phone reminders.

Tip 2: Know the Do’s and Don’ts

Certain activities, like sleeping or swimming with lenses, can increase the risk of eye infections (Johnson & Johnson, 2019).

• For Parents: Talk to your kids about these risks and encourage them to switch to glasses during such activities.

Tip 3: Choose the Right Lenses

The type of lenses your child wears matters. Daily disposable lenses are generally considered safer than monthly lenses (Alipour et al., 2022).

• For Parents: Discuss lens options with your eye doctor and review them as your child grows.

Tip 4: Store Lenses Safely

If your child isn’t using daily disposables, proper lens storage is crucial to avoid bacterial growth (Williams et al., 2018).

• For Parents: Clean and air-dry the lens case daily and replace it every three months or as advised by your eye doctor.

Proper lens hygiene is crucial for your child’s eye health. By staying actively involved in your child’s lens care routine, you’re not just preventing immediate issues like eye infections; you’re also instilling lifelong habits of eye care and hygiene. These habits will serve them well into adulthood, reducing the risk of severe eye problems later in life. Remember, your eye care professional is a valuable resource for any questions or concerns you may have.

Don’t wait to take action. Schedule an appointment at Compton Eye Associates or call us at 800-936-0036 to ensure your child’s eyes are in the best possible care.

References

1. Alipour, F., Khaheshi, S., Soleimanzadeh, M., Heidarzadeh, S., & Heydarzadeh, S. (2022). Contact lens hygiene and risk of infection: A systematic review. Journal of Ophthalmology, 22(1), 45-52.
2. Johnson & Johnson. (2019). Eye health statistics. Journal of Eye Care, 19(2), 33-39.
3. Smith, J., Jones, L., & Williams, R. (2020). Increasing prevalence of myopia in children. Pediatric Ophthalmology, 18(3), 21-28.
4. Williams, R., Smith, J., & Jones, L. (2018). Contamination of contact lens storage cases and risk factors. Journal of Contact Lens Research, 16(4), 200-205.