Practitioners becoming more likely to prescribe contact lenses to children older than 10 years

ST. LOUIS — More than half of optometrists introduce soft contact lenses to children between the ages of 10 and 12 years, according to a press release from the American Optometric Association.

Of the 576 optometrists who participated in the Children & Contact Lenses study, 71% said they prescribe contact lenses to children 10 to 12 years old as a secondary method of vision correction. Daily disposable lenses are the most frequently prescribed contacts for this age group.

In addition, 21% of respondents said they are more likely to fit children in this age group with lenses than they were a year ago.

"Studies in children's vision correction confirm that contacts provide collateral benefits to children beyond simply correcting their vision, including significantly improving how they feel about their physical appearance, acceptance among friends and ability to play sports," Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO, chair of the American Optometric Association's (AOA) contact lens and cornea section, said in the release.

Ninety-six percent of the optometrists said a child's interest and motivation to wear contact lenses is the most important factor to consider when fitting a child. Other important factors are a child's maturity level, personal hygiene habits and ability to care for contacts by themselves.

The study was conducted by the AOA Research and Information Center in conjunction with the sports vision section and contact lens and cornea sections of the AOA, with support from Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.