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Hackensack Meridian Health

HackensackUMC
30 Prospect Ave.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
www.HackensackUMC.org


When Can I Wear Contact Lenses?

If you wear glasses, you may be interested in wearing contact lenses. These are small, thin, and soft pieces of plastic that you put in your eyes to help you see better. 

What Should I Know About Contact Lenses?

It’s more work to take care of contact lenses than glasses. Kids as young as age 8 can get contacts if they’re ready for the extra responsibility, but others may wait until they’re 12 or older.

How Do I Care for Contact Lenses?

Contacts are fragile so you need to handle them with care. With some types, you have to clean them often. With other types, you use a new pair each day. Whatever kind you get, it’s important to never sleep in contact lenses.

Always wash your hands well before putting contacts in or taking them out. And let a parent know if you have any problems, like eye pain or red eyes.

How Do I Get Contact Lenses?

Talk with your parents and ask if they can take you to an eye doctor so you can find out if contacts might be a good option for you.

Contact lenses aren't right for everyone. If you’re happy with your glasses, you can keep wearing them. Many adults wear glasses, too.

 

Medically reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: March 2025