Changing one’s appearance is something that many people like doing, whether it’s for their own vanity or for something they may feel self-conscious about.
For others, it’s a freedom of self-expression and a way to look different from the average everyday look they present.
Teenagers are going through all of the emotions and often find themselves experimenting in all aspects of their life, their appearance being one of them. Coloured contact lenses are often popular with teens, but they’re medical devices and not toys.
They’ll need to be properly fitted by an eye doctor or approved by their opticians to ensure they don’t cause any irritation or infection.
If your teen has recently been asking about coloured contact lenses, then here are a few key talking points to lead with.
Safety first
Non-prescription lenses, they require a prescription and fitting to ensure they don’t damage the eye. You should never buy them from costume shops or online without a prescription, either.
Coloured contact lenses aren’t worth the damage to the eye that could also be permanent if unfortunate.
Know the risks
Improperly fitted or unhygienic lenses often cause serious infections, scratches, and in rare cases, permanent vision damage.
Hygiene and care
It’s important to emphasize that lenses should never be shared, and strict cleaning routines must be followed in order to avoid any infections.
Limiting wear time
Coloured contacts often become increasingly popular over the Halloween period, and when it comes to special effects or Halloween lenses, these should only be worn for short durations, one or two hours at most.
The responsibility check
If your teen can’t consistently handle daily routine tasks like brushing their teeth or making their bed without prompting, then they may not be ready for the care and attention that coloured contact lenses demand.
Wearing coloured contact lenses and looking after them as well as their eyes requires much more responsibility.
Steps to take
When it comes to getting coloured contact lenses for your teens, there are several steps to take to ensure they get the right ones and are using them safely.
- Schedule an eye exam
You’ll need to consult an optician to get your child’s vision checked, even if they have perfect vision. They must be checked so that they can confirm whether or not the lenses fit correctly.
- Purchase from trusted sources
You’ll want to ensure that lenses are FDA-approved or are equivalent within the region or country you live in. If they aren’t approved or are not legitimate in any capacity, then it’s best to look elsewhere.
- Opt for daily disposables
Daily disposables are generally a safer and easier option for teens because they don’t require cleaning or storing. That reduces the risk of infection in general if you’re not using reusable ones.
By providing this information to your teenagers, you will be able to make the best decision as a parent for your child as to whether they’re ready to wear them or not. By approaching this as a lesson in eye health and responsibility, your teens can safely enjoy changing their appearance.
