More than half of optometrists feel it is appropriate to introduce a child to soft contact lenses between the ages of 10 and 12, with daily disposable contact lenses being the most frequently prescribed contacts for this age group, according to a new American Optometric Association study.
The Children and Contact Lenses study was conducted by the AOA in conjunction with the Sports Vision Section and Contact Lens and Cornea Sections of AOA.
The study was designed to gauge current trends in prescribing contact lenses to children ages 8 to 17 and to understand factors that influence optometrists’ decisions to fit a child in contacts.
“ Studies demonstrate that children who need vision correction are capable of wearing and caring for soft contact lenses,” said Christine W. Sindt, O.D., associate professor of clinical ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa; and chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of AOA.
“Optometrists will typically evaluate a child’s maturity and level of parental support in deciding whether a child is ready for contact lenses.”
Other findings from the survey:
The majority (74 percent) of optometrists surveyed say that gender does not influence their decision to fit a child in contact lenses, while one in four (26 percent) say they are more likely to fit younger children when they are girls.
Three-fourths (75 percent) say contact lenses that offer ultraviolet protection influence their decision to prescribe contacts for children.
While daily disposable contact lenses are the most frequently prescribed lenses for children 12 years and under, doctors tend to prescribe reusable contact lenses (two-week and monthly replacement) more often than daily disposables for children ages 13 to 17.
Two out of five (39 percent) optometrists say that parents requesting their child be fitted in contact lenses do so because the child refuses to wear his or her glasses; 36 percent say parents note that the child’s current vision correction interferes with sports, and 16 percent say parents want their child in contact lenses because the current form of vision correction interferes with daily activities.
Seven in 10 (71 percent) doctors said overnight wear of contact lenses is not appropriate for children under the age of 18.
Provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.
The Children and Contact Lenses study was conducted by the AOA in conjunction with the Sports Vision Section and Contact Lens and Cornea Sections of AOA.
The study was designed to gauge current trends in prescribing contact lenses to children ages 8 to 17 and to understand factors that influence optometrists’ decisions to fit a child in contacts.
“ Studies demonstrate that children who need vision correction are capable of wearing and caring for soft contact lenses,” said Christine W. Sindt, O.D., associate professor of clinical ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa; and chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of AOA.
“Optometrists will typically evaluate a child’s maturity and level of parental support in deciding whether a child is ready for contact lenses.”
Other findings from the survey:
The majority (74 percent) of optometrists surveyed say that gender does not influence their decision to fit a child in contact lenses, while one in four (26 percent) say they are more likely to fit younger children when they are girls.
Three-fourths (75 percent) say contact lenses that offer ultraviolet protection influence their decision to prescribe contacts for children.
While daily disposable contact lenses are the most frequently prescribed lenses for children 12 years and under, doctors tend to prescribe reusable contact lenses (two-week and monthly replacement) more often than daily disposables for children ages 13 to 17.
Two out of five (39 percent) optometrists say that parents requesting their child be fitted in contact lenses do so because the child refuses to wear his or her glasses; 36 percent say parents note that the child’s current vision correction interferes with sports, and 16 percent say parents want their child in contact lenses because the current form of vision correction interferes with daily activities.
Seven in 10 (71 percent) doctors said overnight wear of contact lenses is not appropriate for children under the age of 18.
Provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.
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