We offer contact lens fittings for children. This service is provided by our pediatric optometrist, Dr. Tala Chaaban, O.D.
While contact lenses have some important advantages over glasses, there will always be risks to wearing contacts. Patients need to be really careful and follow all cleaning and hygiene instructions. They also need to stop wearing contacts and call an eye doctor immediately if pain, redness, decrease vision or other worrisome symptoms occur. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this service.
What age should my child consider contact lenses?
The question of when a child is ready to attempt soft contact lenses is complicated, with many factors to consider. The appropriate age will vary from child to child, but in general contacts may be considered in the teenage years or even sooner in some circumstances.
What is the difference between a medical eye examination and contact lens fitting?
A medical eye exam is the typical eye examination our providers perform. It involves a thorough evaluation of the function and structures of the eye. A medical eye exam is required before a contact lens fitting can be scheduled. The medical examination will determine if your child has any eye problems which may make them a poor candidate for contact lenses. The medical eye examination is typically billed under medical insurance. Sometimes, a refraction is performed (measuring the shape of the eye with consideration for glasses) and a glasses prescription is given on the same visit as the medical eye exam.
How are contact lens fittings billed?
The cost is $175 for a new contact lens fitting, and $95 for a subsequent contact lens fitting. The contact lens fitting is a separate procedure which may occur on the same day, or a different day than the medical eye exam. The fitting involves not only determining the prescription, but also selecting and evaluating the shape, size, and brand of the contact lenses. The contact lens fitting is billed separately from the medical eye examination and is not typically covered by medical insurance. The fee for the contact lens fitting at our office is generally billed directly to the patient.
What is involved in learning how to insert and remove the contacts?
An important aspect of the contact lens fitting is instruction and practice with insertion and removal of the contact lens. Patients need to be able to successfully insert and remove the contact lens in our office before we can let the patients go home with the contact lenses or write a prescription for the contact lenses. We do this for the safety of the patients. It sometimes takes multiple visits (which typically last between 30 to 45 minutes) to our office before a child can successfully insert and remove the contact lens. Even after a couple of visits, some children can still not successfully insert and remove the contacts. In these cases, we typically suggest retrying in a year or so if desired.
If the fitting is successful, where can contact lenses be purchased?
If a patient does successfully demonstrate insertion and removal in the office and the fit is good, a prescription for the contact lenses will be written. The contact prescription will include the brand, shape, size and power of the contact lens. Contact lenses may be purchased through our clinic and will be shipped directly to the patient. The contact prescription may also be used to purchase the contacts elsewhere.
