The month of August hosts Contact Lens Health Week. As parents of children who have myopia can be leery of contact lens wear to manage the progressive refractive error, optometrists who see such patients weigh in on how to break this barrier to contact lens wear.

• Correct the assumption. “The assumption is that contact lenses weren’t meant for children,” says Thomas Aller, O.D., of San Bruno, Calif. “Parents should be educated that with the proper training, care and follow-up, contact lenses are safe for children.”
• Remind parents that glasses aren’t necessarily safer than contact lenses. One common objection from parents is that children aren’t responsible — they lose or break their glasses, explains Jeffrey Walline, O.D., associate dean for research at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. “That happens because they aren’t actually wearing the glasses,” he counters. “In that situation, children are usually much better at caring for contact lenses than they are caring for glasses.”
• Cite the risks of not wearing contact lenses. Shalu Pal, O.D., F.A.A.O., who practices in Toronto, Ont., says she has educated parents that the risk of uncontrolled myopia is far greater than the risks of contact lens wear.
• Point out additional benefits. Dr. Walline advises mentioning to parents the fact that studies show children who wear contact lenses instead of glasses have higher self-esteem, can make them feel better about peer interactions, their looks, and they feel more athletic.
• Use reinforcements. When educating parents, “time is a hurdle,” says Dr. Pal. She overcomes that challenge by having two staff members who are myopia management and contact lens experts continue the conversation and answer any related questions. OM