Children's Vision Month

04 - Children's Vision Month S o your teenager wants to wear contact lenses, but you have concerns. Are con- tacts safe for young adults? According to optometrist Dr. Gillian Robin- son, today's lenses are fine for kids of almost any age, as long as the young person is respon- sible and reliable. She says practising common sense is key to avoiding any possible issues. "There's no magic age. It's a question of ma- turity and responsibility," Robinson says. "Teen- agers need to be responsible and dependable enough to care for their lenses appropriately, which includes practising good hand and con- tact lens hygiene." Robinson, who is the co-owner of 20/20 Eye Care, says the biggest mistake she sees teenag- ers make with contact lenses is not washing their hands enough. "The big thing is not washing their hands each time they go to touch their eyes or lenses," she says. "And water should only be used to wash your hands. It should never be used to rinse or store lenses." Although many people swim wearing their lenses, Robinson doesn't recommend it. "You should never swim with contact lenses, but if you do, you should wear goggles," she says. "There's a risk of infection from the bacte- ria that might be in the water." That said, today's contact lenses are safer, healthier and easier to use than ever before. "There have been lots of advances in con- tact lens materials. They're more breathable than they've been before, and the solutions are better at disinfecting," says Robinson. "There's no dealing with multiple vials and bottles any- more." They can be a great option for teens who play sports, or who are involved in theatre or dance. "Contacts offer better side vision, and you don't have to deal with them fogging up or sweat getting in the lenses," Robinson says. "It's easier to wear helmets and other safety equip- ment. They provide freedom for sports and the- atre or dance performances." She recommends single-use disposable lenses as one of the best options for teens. "Single-use disposables are really comfort- able, and a convenient option for teenagers es- pecially. You always get a fresh lens, so they're a very healthy option." If your teenager wants to wear contact lens- es, making an appointment with an optom- etrist is the first step. "Contacts are a medical device. Before any- one wears contacts, they should consult with an optometrist to make sure they're a candidate," says Robinson. "I have concerns about people buying contacts directly from the Internet." With a wide range of prescription options and lens materials available, contact lenses should always be professionally fitted, she adds. "No two patients will necessarily wear the same lenses. The optometrist should ask about the teenager's needs, wants and lifestyle, and find out if he or she has a history of allergies or sensitivities." Those with highly sensitive eyes or chronic eye infections are not well suited for contact lenses. Some people aren't comfortable touch- ing their eyes to insert or remove a lens. A doctor of optometry will also tell teenagers everything they need to know about caring for their lenses. "For teenagers, contacts should not be an alternative to glasses. It's important that they still have a pair of glasses with their current pre- scription," Robinson says. She suggests teens bring an extra contact case, solution and back- up glasses to school. "You don't want teenag- ers wearing lenses for all of the waking hours. They've got lots of years ahead of them." Almost anyone is a candidate for contact lenses, as long as they get a proper fitting. "Many people with astigmatism can wear contact lenses now," says Robinson. "Some people with higher prescriptions will actually see better with contact lenses." CLEANLINESS IS kEy TO CONTACTS By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press Dr. Gillian Robinson with a selection of contact lenses. Photo by Darcy Finley

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