Starting the Conversation
Ask Yourself If You’re Ready
Most people can start wearing contact lenses in their early teens, but it’s more about how responsible you are. If you think you’d be good with cleaning your lenses, keeping a replacement schedule and remembering to take them out, then you may be ready.
Talk to Your Parents
It helps to start the discussion by thinking about how contact lenses can benefit your lifestyle. Will they help make it easier for you to play sport, concentrate in the classroom, or feel more confident?
Prepare for the Chat with Your Optician
You may find it useful to prepare in advance any questions you may have about contact lenses, your vision, or wear and care. The optician will also have some questions for you.
Reasons to Get Contacts Lenses
Improved Sport Performance
65% of teenagers said wearing contact lenses helps them perform better at sport. Contact lenses enable greater peripheral vision, so you can see more of the pitch, field or court.
Easy to Care For
89% of teens said they find it easy to clean and care for contact lenses. Once you get into the routine of putting on, taking off and cleaning your contacts, it becomes second nature.
Feeling Confident
73% of teenagers said reactions to my “new look without glasses” was very positive. Contact lenses can help improve how you see and feel about yourself and how people see you.
CONTACT LENS CONCERNS
"Contact lenses are hard to handle."
Putting them on is simple, it just takes some practice.
"I’ll feel them on my eyes."
You might notice them at first, but soon you’ll get used to them.
"I’m worried about irritating my eyes"
If your lenses are clean and you care for them correctly you should have nothing to worry about.
"My parents won’t let me get contact lenses."
Try talking to your parents about how you think contact lenses will benefit you, and explain how you will clean and care for them.
"My eyes aren’t like everyone else's."
Talk to your optician, they’ll help you find the right contact lenses.
"Cleaning contact lenses sounds difficult."
Cleaning your lenses is simple, it just takes some practice. See How to Care for Your Lenses.
"Contact Lenses can be a hassle."
Taking care of them is all about creating a routine. Find out more.
"Contact Lenses are hard to remove."
As with most new habits, all it takes is practice and patience.
†Please note professional eye examination and fitting fees may apply. South Africa residents 18 or over only. One trial per person. Eligibility subject to optician approval. Participating opticians only. See [link] for full terms and conditions.
* Walline JJ, Jones LA, Rah MJ, et al; CLIP Study Group. Contact Lenses in Pediatric (CLIP) Study: Benefits of Contact Lens Wear for Children and Teens. Eye & Contact Lens 33(6): 317-321, 2007.
Getting Started with Contacts Lenses
†Please note professional eye examination and fitting fees may apply. South Africa residents 18 or over only. One trial per person. Eligibility subject to optician approval. Participating opticians only. See [link] for full terms and conditions.