Playlist
- Can I Wear Soft Contact Lenses For Keratoconus?
- Which Soft Contact Lenses Is Right For You?
- Effective Keratoconus Solutions
- 5 Best Contact Lenses For Keratoconus
- Can I Wear Soft Contact Lenses For Keratoconus? (Repeat)
- Soft Lenses for Mild Keratoconus
- Pinhole Lenses & Tomography
- Myopia Management for Kids
If your child’s vision needs go beyond what regular glasses or standard contact lenses can correct, custom soft contact lenses can offer the clarity and comfort your child deserves. At Insight Vision Center Optometry, our eye doctors specialize in creating personalized lens solutions for children with high prescriptions or unique eye shapes. With years of clinical experience, specialized training, and genuine care, we’re committed to helping your child achieve the best possible vision for a healthy, confident start.
When Are Custom Soft Contact Lenses Needed?
Custom soft contact lenses are most helpful for children whose eyes or prescriptions fall outside the range of standard lenses. Below are common scenarios where these lenses can make a significant difference.
Small-Diameter Contact Lenses for Kids
Why Size Matters
Children’s eyes are smaller than adults’, so standard 14 mm lenses can feel bulky and move around. Custom pediatric lenses, usually 13–13.6 mm, match a child’s corneal size and eyelid opening, making them far more comfortable from the very first blink.
Key Benefits
Who Can Wear Them?
Ideal for children who:
Can Young Children Wear Contact Lenses Safely?
Studies show that young children can absolutely wear contact lenses, and for children with myopia, the earlier they start with myopia control, the better. But often parents are concerned about safety, while each child is unique, in six randomized trials with 581 children, there were no serious eye infections reported during a combined total of 816 patient years of wear.
Research and Evidence
Effectiveness of Soft Multifocal and Custom Soft Lenses in Young Children
A two-year observational study involving children aged 8 to 11 showed that multifocal soft contact lenses helped slow the progression of myopia compared to single vision lenses or glasses. Children wearing multifocal lenses had a slower increase in nearsightedness (−0.23 D) compared to those with single vision lenses (−0.54 D) or spectacles (−0.86 D). The best results were seen when myopia was diagnosed before intense growth periods, highlighting the benefit of early intervention with these lenses.
Soft Multifocal Lenses and Myopia Control in Children
The BLINK study found that soft distance-center multifocal contact lenses with a +2.50D addition slowed myopia progression by an average of 0.46 D over three years compared to single-vision lenses in children aged 8 to 12. Lenses with lower add powers did not show significant slowing. The FDA has approved specific soft multifocal lenses for children aged 8 to 12 with mild to moderate myopia, reporting significantly less worsening of myopia and eye elongation after three years.
Safety and Comfort of Pediatric Soft Contact Lenses
Large retrospective studies and clinical trials confirm that soft contact lenses are safe and well tolerated in children, including those under age 10. Across 816 patient years of lens wear in kids aged 7 to 15, no serious eye problems were reported, and only mild adverse events occurred at a low rate of about 8.9 events per 100 patient years. This safety profile is comparable to adults, with no cases of serious infections like microbial keratitis observed.
Practical Benefits for Young Children
Studies indicate children fitted with soft lenses, including custom and small-diameter designs for high prescriptions, often report high levels of satisfaction and ease of use. Over 90% of children manage contact lens handling well within six months, and soft lenses provide better comfort and daily wear experience than hard lenses or spectacles for pediatric patients.
Benefits and Considerations for Parents
Choosing custom contact lenses for your child is a big step. Our team is dedicated to making the process as easy and successful as possible for every family.
Improved Vision and Self-Confidence
- Children enjoy clearer, wider vision than with glasses, and contacts move naturally with the eyes.
- For children with large differences between their eyes (anisometropia), contacts help prevent image imbalance and double vision, supporting healthy brain and eye development.
- Children often feel more confident in school and in social settings without thick, heavy glasses. They can participate freely in sports and play.
What to Expect with Custom Lenses
- Parents and, as appropriate, older children will learn how to insert, remove, and clean the lenses. This can take some practice, but our team provides thorough, patient training.
- For infants and toddlers, our eye doctors can demonstrate safe and gentle techniques for lens insertion, using child-friendly approaches and positions.
- Regular follow-ups are essential, especially for young children, as eyes change rapidly and lenses may need frequent adjustments or replacement.
Safety and Insurance Coverage
- Research and clinical experience show that children, even as young as infants, can successfully and safely wear contact lenses with proper guidance and care.
- Custom lenses prescribed for conditions like aphakia, anisometropia, or keratoconus are often considered “medically necessary” and may be covered by insurance. Our staff can assist with documentation and claims.
- Our eye doctors use only high-quality lens materials designed for maximum comfort, oxygen flow, and safety for growing eyes.
The Highest Rated Eye Care Center In Orange County
What Our Patients are Saying
“Insight vision has great customer service staff n the best optometrist Ive ever seen
Dr Nathan Schramm spends as much time as needed n has the highest advanced technology. I highly recommend this practice for anyone with any vision problem.”
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Nancy B.
“Best optometrist I have ever visited. They are experts with my eye condition (keratoconus) all staff super friendly. And dr Schramm is very professional and passionate to get you the best vision possible. I absolutely recommend insight vision center optometry.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emmanuel B.
The Custom Lens Fitting and Care Process
At Insight Vision Center Optometry, we take pride in providing gentle, thorough care at every step of the process.
Step-by-Step Fitting
Safety and Eye Health
Custom soft lenses for children are made from advanced silicone hydrogel materials to maximize oxygen flow to the cornea, which is especially important for thick, high-powered lenses. Our eye doctors prescribe daily wear (lenses worn only while awake) for most children to keep eyes healthy, with extended-wear options only in select cases. We teach families to recognize any signs of irritation, redness, or discomfort, and encourage ongoing check-ins to ensure your child’s eyes remain healthy as they grow.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam at Orange County’s Highest Rated Contact Lens Center
As the leading referral center in Orange County for advanced contact lens care, we bring deep expertise to every personalized lens fitting. Our eye doctors are nationally recognized experts, holding prestigious fellowships and boasting decades of proven success fitting custom contact lenses for patients with complex vision needs. Our modern contact lens center is equipped with the latest diagnostic and fitting technology, and we offer an extensive selection of specialty lenses.
With over 650 patient reviews on Google and Yelp and a 4.9-star average rating, you can be confident that your vision and comfort are in experienced hands.
Ready for clear, comfortable vision?
Contact us today to book a comprehensive contact lens evaluation. We’re dedicated to helping you and your family achieve healthy, comfortable vision tailored specifically to your needs.
