A new study reveals that daily disposable soft contact lenses may be a safer, healthier choice for kids—offering better eye health, greater comfort, and more freedom for active lifestyles.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
Soft contact lenses are thin, flexible discs designed to cover the cornea—that’s the clear front surface of the eye—and correct vision problems such as shortsightedness and farsightedness.
These lenses are made from soft, gel-like plastics that contain water, known as hydrogels, or in more advanced versions, silicone hydrogels. These materials are soft in the presence of hydration or water and harden when dry.
THE ADVANTAGES OF SOFT CONTACT LENSES
- Can be used to correct a range of vision issues.
- New users often find it easy and quick to adapt to soft lenses compared to more rigid ones.
- The flexible material of contact lenses conforms to the eye’s shape and are hence comfortable to wear.
- Soft lenses stay in place better than rigid ones, making them suitable for sports and active lifestyles.
- High oxygen permeability, especially with silicone hydrogel lenses, allowing a good amount of oxygen to reach the cornea and keep it healthy.
- Available in daily disposable, bi-weekly, or monthly replacement options; pick the ones that suit your lifestyle and preferences.
WHY RESEARCHERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CONTACT LENSES WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN
As the use of contact lenses is increasingly popular among kids, researchers are interested to understand whether there are potential long-term effects of their use on eye health.
They are especially concerned about the effect of contact lens use on the corneal endothelium, a layer of cells that line the inner surface of the cornea. This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining corneal clarity and hence eyesight.
ARE DAILY DISPOSABLE SOFT CONTACT LENSES SAFE FOR CHILDREN?
Likely yes, according to the findings of a recent study.
The data indicates that daily disposable soft contact lenses are safe for long-term use in children, even when worn from a young age.
About the Study
- A team of eye care professionals followed 20 young adults that had been wearing daily disposable soft contact lenses for a decade, starting from when they were 8 to 12 years old.
- These participants wore their lenses for at least 10 hours a day, 6 to 7 days a week, without experiencing any significant problems.
- The researchers compared various aspects of these participants’ corneal health in these long-term lens wearers to a control group of 20 people of similar age that had never worn contact lenses.
What Did the Investigators Find?
After 10 years of daily contact lens wear, there were no significant differences seen between the daily contact lens wearers and those that don’t when it comes to their corneal endothelium and overall corneal health.
Hence, the investigators concluded that long-term use of daily disposable soft contact lenses is not likely to negatively impact the corneal endothelium or overall corneal health in children that start wearing them at a young age.
| It’s worth noting that all participants in the study were under regular eye care professional supervision throughout their years of lens wear. This underscores the importance of routine check-ups for all contact lens wearers, especially children. |
MORE ABOUT SOFT CONTACT LENSES
 FEATURED EXPERTTAN THOK CHUAN Optometrist and Director TC Tan Optometrist |
According to Tan Thok Chuan:
- Soft contact lenses employ a special dual-focus design that is specifically engineered to manage and control eye elongation while simultaneously providing clear vision.
- Conventional contact lenses do not have this dual-focus capability and are designed solely for vision correction. They don’t address the progression of myopia.
- Hard contact lenses, such as orthokeratology lenses, reshape the cornea temporarily to correct vision and have been used for myopia control. Generally less convenient and require more rigorous care compared to soft lenses.
Where Can One Find Dual-Focus Soft Contact Lenses?
Mr Tan tells us that they are available at registered optometric practices that actively practice myopia management.
| This article is part of our series on a child’s healthy growth and development. |
Reference: Lam, H. Y., Jones, S., & Logan, N. S. (2024). Long-term impact of daily disposable hydrogel soft contact lens wear on corneal endothelium in children. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 65, 6607. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2799782
