As your child with glasses grows older, he or she may express interest in getting contact lenses. As a parent, you may be unsure whether or not this is the right move for your child. You can partner with your optometrist to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of contact lenses versus glasses to help make a determination. Use the following tips to help make the decision that is right for your child.

Discuss The Responsibilities Of Contact Lens Wearing

Caring for contact lenses is more complicated than caring for glasses. If worn or cared for incorrectly, contact lenses can hurt your child's eyes. Make sure that your child understands that he or she will need to do the following every day:

• Remember to take out the lenses every night
• Store the contacts in a contact lens case with the proper solution
• Wash his or her hands before handling contacts
• Learn the proper way to put the contacts in

A good way to gauge whether or not your child is responsible enough for contacts is to look at his or her other personal hygiene habits. If your child has difficulty sticking to a daily hygiene routine, contacts might not be the best option.

Consider Your Child's Extracurricular Activities

Glasses can sometimes cause more harm than good for kids who play sports. The loss of magnified peripheral vision might impact your child's performance on the court or on the field. For games that require contact, such as football, glasses may lead to injuries. If your child is a sports enthusiast, contact lenses may be the smart, safe way to go.

Talk About The Reasons Your Child Wants Contacts

Wearing glasses can be a cause of low self esteem in some kids. They may feel as though they are picked on for their glasses, particularly if they require strong corrective lenses. Contact lenses can boost your child's self esteem, making them feel proud about the way they look without glasses. Talk to your child about how he or she feels when wearing glasses to determine if contacts are the right choice. Be sure to discuss any issues your child might be having at school with bullying over his or her appearance, as there may be a need to work with the school administrators to resolve a deeper issue.

Glasses are a great choice for younger children, but your child might become more interested in contacts as he or she gets older. Work with your optometrist to choose the right lenses for your child and discuss the proper way to care for contacts. To find out more, speak with a business like Lloyd Mall Eye Care.