Is Your Teenage Daughter Ready to Wear Contact Lenses?

You survived the terrible twos, only to find out that it gets worse once your baby girl hits 13. Teen girls are what will make your hair turn gray, but you have to love them anyways. Don't worry... those years will pass.

In the meantime you have to listen when they ask for something and then ask "why" before giving your response.
Why?

Because your teen daughter is right, she isn't a kid anymore.

But what do you do when your teenager asks to wear contact lenses?

Easy... you learn the facts and make an informed decision with your teenage daughter.

Most teenagers who want to wear contacts are motivated by a desire to look better and feel more confident. Remember that teenagers are shallow and don't yet understand what you believe to be true -- that looks are only skin deep, that wearing glasses doesn't make you unattractive, and blah blah blah...

(So that's why she's always rolling her eyes at you...)

To better put it, teens can be shallow, and that includes your daughters' peers. If wearing contacts will make her feel better and have more confidence, then just let it be. Chances are, you were the same way at her age.

However, there are some important things that parents and teenagers have to consider before deciding that contact lenses are a good idea.

Teens Who Wear Contacts Shouldn't Wear Make Up

This can be a show stopper for many teen girls, but even adults aren't supposed to wear eye makeup when wearing contacts. Mascara and eye shadow can get stuck under a contact lens and cause pain, or even an infection. Aside from that, mascara will run if a contact catches something that causes tears in the eye.

For both cosmetic and health purposes, your teenager should be willing to sacrifice wearing makeup before trying out contact lenses.

It Takes Time to Get Used to Wearing Contact Lenses

Does your teenager roll out of bed and just barely catch the bus in the morning? If so, then contacts might not be right for her. At least 15 minutes should be set aside every morning, and night, to get used to putting contacts in and taking them out.

Putting in contacts is not as easy or quick as putting glasses on, so this decision will require a complete chance in schedule.

Contacts Should Not Be Worn in the Shower or While Swimming

It is very important not to wear contact lenses while showering or swimming. As most teenagers have the "I'll do what I think is best, or coolest" attitude, it's very important to stress this rule to a teenager who wants to wear contacts.

There is a Lot of Responsibility Involved with Wearing Contact Lenses

It's not like the broken promises over a new puppy. Proper care and maintenance of contact lenses is necessary to maintain healthy eyes and avoid infections or worse vision problems.

Teens with astigmatism are usually recommended rigid gas permeable contact lenses (hard contacts) which are more high maintenance than the disposable soft lenses. Either type of contact lens does require maintenance, and you really have to use your own judgment as a parent to decide if your teenager can show they are responsible enough to use contacts.

However, the following test will help...

A Test to See if Your Teenager is Ready for Contact Lenses

Is your teen daughter willing to give up makeup so she can wear contacts?

Is your teenager capable of waking up at least ½ hour earlier, ever morning?

Has your teenager sworn up and down that they are ready and will take care of their contacts?

Has your teenager begged, pleaded, and promised to wash dishes, make their bed, keep their room clean, and keep their grades at a passing level?

Can your teenager do all of these things for at least a month before visiting the eye doctor for a contact lens fitting?

If you've answered yes to any of these statements, then you might as well give her a chance. Consider all of the good that can come out of letting your teenager wear contacts.

The Five Basic Benefits of Letting Your Teenager Wear Contact Lenses
1) As promised, your daughter may keep her room clean and her grades up... as well as wake up earlier each morning and stop wearing so much makeup.

2) Of course you will need to supervise a teenager during the first few weeks of wearing contacts, but you might be surprised at how responsible she actually is.

3) Contacts are more comfortable to wear than glasses.

4) Especially for teenagers, wearing contacts can boost self esteem. Wouldn't it be nice to see her smile a bit more?

5) Finally, you can allow your teenager to express who they are (by wearing contacts, if they wish) without a struggle. There are worse things a teenager could be doing!!!