Custom soft contact lenses can offer clarity and comfort for children whose vision needs go beyond what regular glasses or standard contact lenses can correct. These personalized lens solutions help children with high prescriptions or unique eye shapes achieve the best possible vision for a healthy, confident start.
Some children are born with cataracts or develop them early in life and require surgery to remove the clouded lens. After surgery, they are left without the eye's natural lens, a condition called aphakia, and need a strong plus-powered lens to focus light properly.
Custom soft contact lenses can be made in very high powers, sometimes +20.00 to +30.00 diopters, allowing even infants and toddlers to develop healthy vision. These lenses are thinner and lighter than traditional aphakic glasses, which often are not available in the strengths needed for young children. Fitting a contact lens after pediatric cataract surgery has been shown to be safe and effective, supporting normal visual development during these critical years.
Some children are born with smaller than average eyes or corneas, a condition called microcornea. These eyes usually need high farsighted prescriptions and are often too small for standard contacts.
Custom soft lenses can be made in smaller sizes and with steeper curves to fit securely and comfortably, providing clear vision without the thick, magnified look of high-powered glasses. Properly fitted custom lenses help these children see more naturally and comfortably.
Children with extremely high prescriptions often struggle with the weight and thickness of glasses, and even many standard contact lenses do not go high enough in power. Custom soft contact lenses can be made for prescriptions well beyond standard ranges, offering clear vision and a full field of view without the limitations of thick, heavy glasses.
These lenses are especially valuable when there is a big difference in prescription between the eyes, balancing vision and helping prevent problems like amblyopia. If you suspect your child is struggling with their vision, our kids symptom checker can help you identify potential issues.
Some children have high levels of astigmatism, meaning the eye is shaped more like a football than a perfect sphere, or irregular corneas from conditions like keratoconus or injury. Custom soft toric lenses can be made in almost any cylinder power or axis, helping children achieve the best possible vision when regular contacts cannot help.
If rigid lenses are too uncomfortable or difficult for a child to wear, custom soft lenses can provide a comfortable alternative.
In certain cases, children may need contact lenses for reasons beyond correcting nearsightedness or farsightedness. For example, some children with albinism or aniridia experience light sensitivity, and a custom tinted soft lens can act like a prosthetic iris. Others may benefit from opaque lenses for vision therapy or cosmetic reasons.
At Insight Vision Center Optometry, Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD, has published work on prosthetic lenses for iris atrophy and can help children with these unique needs.
Children's eyes are smaller than adults', so standard 14 mm lenses can feel bulky and move around. Custom pediatric lenses, usually 13 to 13.6 mm, match a child's corneal size and eyelid opening, making them far more comfortable from the very first blink.
Smaller diameter lenses offer several advantages for young wearers.
Small-diameter custom lenses are ideal for many children with specific needs.
Studies show that young children can wear contact lenses safely. In six randomized trials with 581 children, there were no serious eye infections reported during a combined total of 816 patient years of wear. For children with myopia, starting myopia management early can provide the best long-term results.
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 compared to those with single vision lenses or spectacles.
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.
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.
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.
Children enjoy clearer, wider vision than with glasses, and contacts move naturally with the eyes. For children with large differences between their eyes, 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.
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.
Regular follow-ups are essential, especially for young children, as eyes change rapidly and lenses may need frequent adjustments or replacement.
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.
Your child's journey begins with a thorough, gentle eye exam using kid-friendly techniques. We take precise measurements of the eye's shape, size, and prescription needs using advanced technology including the Pentacam for corneal tomography.
We work with top contact lens labs to design and order lenses made to your child's unique measurements, prescription, and daily routine. Each lens is tailored to provide the best possible fit and vision.
We provide hands-on training for parents and older children on how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses. Our team is patient and experienced, guiding you step by step until you feel confident.
We monitor your child's vision and eye health with regular check-ups, adjusting the lens fit and prescription as your child grows or as needs change. Young eyes can grow quickly, so frequent monitoring ensures the best possible vision and safety.
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 for most children to keep eyes healthy. We teach families to recognize any signs of irritation, redness, or discomfort.
Children of any age can wear contact lenses when medically necessary. Infants with aphakia after cataract surgery are routinely fitted with custom soft lenses. For myopia control or convenience, most children can begin around age 8, though some start earlier depending on their maturity and specific needs.
Our eye doctors will teach you specific techniques for inserting lenses in very young children. This often involves laying the child down and using gentle movements. With practice, most parents become comfortable with the process within a few weeks. We provide as many training sessions as needed.
Custom lenses typically cost more than standard lenses because they are made specifically for your child's eyes. However, lenses prescribed for medical conditions like aphakia, keratoconus, or high anisometropia are often covered by medical insurance. Our staff can help with documentation and insurance claims.
This depends on your child's age and how quickly their eyes change. Young children may need new lenses every few months as their eyes grow, while older children might go six months to a year between prescription changes. Regular follow-up appointments help us monitor changes and update lenses as needed.
Custom lenses can be reordered using your child's measurements on file. We recommend keeping a backup pair when possible, especially for children who depend on their lenses for daily activities. Our team can expedite replacement orders when needed.
Children should remove contact lenses before swimming to reduce the risk of eye infection. For sports and physical activities, soft contact lenses are generally an excellent choice because they stay in place better than glasses and provide a wider field of vision. We can discuss specific recommendations based on your child's activities.
