Contact Lenses

Young Contact Lens Wearers: Make Them a Practice-Builder

By Ellie W. Hattori, OD

SYNOPSIS

Young patients can benefit from contact lenses, too. Here is how to educate parents and children about how to care for their contacts and stay in them long-term.

ACTION POINTS

RECOGNIZE READINESS. Note when young people show interest and are responsible.

EDUCATE BOTH TEENS AND PARENTS. Let kids and parents know of CL options and wear and care routines.

DISCUSS BACKUP & SUNWEAR. Patients still need glasses to give eyes a rest and sunwear to protect against UV radiation including sports goggles.

Overcome the assumption that teens and older children (or “tweens”) are not ready for contact lenses. Benefits to young wearers include enhanced sports performance and self-esteem. Young wearers can make the best contact lens wearers–given proper education and a good partnership between doctors and parents. I have about 500 contact lens patients in my practice who are younger than 18. Here are some lessons I’ve learned about catering to the needs of tween and teen contact lens wearers.

Doctor-Parent Relationship:
Decide Together If Child is Ready for Contact Lenses

The OD and parent should work together to determine a child’s readiness for contact lenses.

A good rule of thumb: If a child is good at following directions and rules at home, then he or she stands a good chance of also following a contact lens wear and care routine.

Begin by asking the parent how the child is doing at following the rules at home. If the parent says the child isn’t following rules like doing homework and assigned chores, then offer a plan for improvement before contact lenses are prescribed:

“Johnny, before I can prescribe contacts, you’re going to have to prove to your Mom that you can follow the rules at home. I’m going to have the two of you come back in three months. If you’ve been following all of Mom’s rules and meeting all of your responsibilities, I will give you a prescription for contacts. If not, then we’ll have to wait until you prove that you’re responsible.” –ROB Editors.

RECOGNIZE TEENS WHO ARE READY

Know Indicators Child is Ready for Contacts

Most of my under-18 contact lens wearers start wearing contacts between the ages of 13 and 15. During the consultation with the child in the exam room I always ask the child or teen why they are interested in contact lenses. I always look for how motivated they are including how they think contact lenses will make a difference in their lives. For example, I’m interested to hear whether they want contacts to improve their performance in school or sports, or whether it’s just viewed as a way to improve their appearance. Any of these motivations are OK, but it helps open up the conversation once I understand more about the patient’s goals for their contact lens wear. I then talk to the patient and their parent about the responsibilities that come with contact lens wear. If I hear excitement in their voices when we talk about contact lenses, I feel they are ready for the responsibility.

Explain CL Benefits to Teen

I share statistics and studies that show increased sports performance with contact lenses. I usually try and relate this research to whichever sport the child is involved with. In addition, I also explain how contacts will improve the performance of teens involved in arts and activities like dance. With high prescriptions (+4D or -4D), we talk about the increase in visual field with contact lenses.

EDUCATE TEENS and PARENTS

Show Patients and Parents Options

One-day replacement contact lenses are usually the easiest and best modality for teens since no lens care is required–just the need to toss the lenses in the trash at the end of each day–but I give patients and their parents all their options. After gathering all the data, I tell the parent and child that we are now ready to go over the options available with our findings. I have a sheet on which I can mark off options. As we go over each option I talk about the benefits and responsibilities of each. If I feel there is one modality that will serve the patient better, I will share that. The parent and patient ultimately make the final decision from among the options I have given them.

I recommend the one-day replacement lens to my patients if I feel it is the one that will give the patient the best vision and comfort. I believe the one-day modality is not only the easiest regimen to follow but also will always perform at its best. There is nothing better than a fresh lens everyday. That said, if during the course of fitting, I find that it is not giving us the ultimate fit, comfort or vision, I will recommend a different modality.

Information Resource for Consumers
(Including Young Consumers)
to Learn About Contact Lens Wear and Care

MyContactLenses.org
http://www.mycontactlenses.org/index.htm

See: “FAQs for Kids, Adults and Families”

Explain Purpose Behind Lens Wear and Care Routine

I tell patients and parents that lenses have a recommended replacement schedule because it indicates the length of time the lenses perform at their optimum level. I also point out the danger to the patient’s eye health and comfort if the wearing time is extended past what is recommended. I explain to the teen and parent that if the lenses aren’t cared for properly and worn just for the length of time they are meant to be worn, damage could be done to the eye, or the eyes could become so irritated, it may necessitate the patient taking a break from contacts for a while. I emphasize that the best way to stay in contacts long-term is to follow the wear and care directions.

Talk Directly to Patient, But Be Sure Parent Is Listening

I usually talk to the patient directly while the parent is listening. I then ask the parent, as well as the patient him or herself, if they have any questions.

EXPLAIN NEED FOR EYEWEAR and SUNWEAR

Explain Need for Eyeglasses, Too

I tell the patient contact lenses are “foreign bodies.” But that we, together, make sure they are safe foreign bodies. It’s my responsibly to make sure they fit well and are healthy for their eyes, and it’s their responsibility to follow safe and healthy wear instructions. Because they are “foreign bodies,” our eyes need time to rest. I usually say that wearing contact lenses 10-12 hours is reasonable, after which time it’s a good idea to put on a pair of glasses. When a patient’s glasses have not been updated, I educate patient and parent. I tell the parents it’s important that the glasses give the patient the same best vision as their contacts otherwise there will be the temptation to over-wear the contact lenses.

Promote Use of Sun Protection

I ask the patient if they are currently wearing sunglasses. If they are, I commend them. If not, I share with them the importance of UV protection. Because they are now in need of plano sunglasses, we give every contact lens patient a coupon for $25 off towards any sunglasses in our office. The patient usually is excited to get a new pair of sunglasses and the parent appreciates the discount.

Put Teens in Contact Lenses: Action Plan

Be excited for the patient because they are. Usually they’ve been asking their parents for contacts for a while. Turn that enthusiasm into willingness to wear contact lenses responsibly.

Let parents know what a difference contact lenses can make for the teen. Explain how contacts will give them better and safer vision while playing sports and free them up from wearing glasses 24/7, offering a new look.

Tell patients you are excited they are getting contact lenses now because you now have the best and healthiest lenses available. Explain that the lenses you are prescribing will only work at their best if the patient follows your wear and care instructions.

Start the fitting as soon as possible. They are ready! Fridays are usually the best day to start because by Monday they’ve built up their wearing time and can wear them at school all day. They are anxious to wear them to school!

Related ROB Articles

Children in Contact Lenses: Introduce and Train Young People to Wear Contact Lenses
Children Patients: Engage the Child in the Exam and Build a Family Practice

Improve Communication in a Pediatric Eye Exam

Ellie W. Hattori, OD, is co-owner of Hattori Vision Optometry in Monterey, Calif. To contact her: drellie@hattorivision.com

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