The College of Optometrists

As a general rule, what is the youngest age you would consider fitting CL's to?

About four weeks, but that probably isn't what you wanted to know!

I'd fit an older child if it was clear they wanted lenses themselves, were sensible and mature enough to care for the lenses themselves and were able to insert, remove and clean safely. Could be anything from seven up.

I will mention contact lenses to kids and parents 13-14 depending on maturity (of parents as well). We have the odd younger one, usually for sports (county standard)

I get a bit scared younger than that

I'll fit to any child whose parents agree and understand the implications of contact lens wear and feel their child is responsible enough for the challenge.

My youngest current CL patient is 9 years old.

Agreed, parent attitude is V V important. Also the child needs to want to wear them. Under sevens don't normally care enough.

Most rewarding fit was a seven year old boy, being teased rotten at school, fitted with plus twelves.

Changed a shy, withdrawn boy into a outgoing confident lad.

Dailies for sport also very popular.

hmmm....

if it for cosmetic cl's then I think daily disposables after 15 are okay- given (1)part times wear (2) the child being able to act responsibly to their ocular health issues. (3) the parents are in agreement and will monitor their offsprings cl use.

The risks of neov is far greater in younger kids than adults, and this has to be recognised. Very few parents seem to realise the possible long term effects of cls, which may compromise cl use later on.

I have one young lady in 02 optix lenses.

I am not talking about cls for medical purposes. If the kid was highly myopic - then it would have to be silicons of some sort - or - daily. To me Gel lenses are obsolete and dangerous.

Many kids will do things behind the parents back which could compromise safety of cls. So best to devise a safe system. So, I don't encourage cls for full time use under 16; but they can have dailies at 15 for occasional use. THey must get glasses and I always tell them that I have a duty to stop cl supply if they act irresponsibly with them. In short - the tail does not wag the dog!

We regularly fit children from five up , almost always with aniso, where CL's are really the only option. If you have four Dioptres of aniso, you will never really get VA up and good BV unless you use lenses. Our routine is Dailies initially, until well able to cope, and then switch to SiHy - this may be after six months or a couple of years. As an example, a little girl recently aged 7, 5.00 D of aniso, VA 6/5 & 6/36 with specs. after 6/12 of Cl's, VA was 6/9- and stero an incredible 30 seconds.

We worked with AMo last year to produce a web site www.kidsincontacts.

Keith - when you say kids in SiHy, do you mean for prolonged use ( ie if emmetropic in good)?