close up on contacts
Kid-Smart Fitting Tips
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC
When it comes to fitting youngsters in contact lenses, it pays to keep it fresh. Tips and techniques center around two key areas: appearance and motivation.
According to a recent PREP (Pediatric Refractive Error Profile)-based study supported by funding from Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., children in contact lenses experienced greater improvement in satisfaction with their choice of vision correction, appearance, and participation in activities.
TIP 1: START EARLY
Start the "kid-wearing-contacts conversation" at the time kids get their first pair of glasses.
"At whatever age it may be, six, seven, or eight, I tell parents and kids that age 10, for the average child, is the age at which I consider fitting contact lenses," says Mary Lou French, OD, of Children's Eyecare, PC, in Orland Park, Ill. "Some kids come in one day after their 10th birthday wanting to be fit!"
TIP 2: UTILIZE STAFF
Staff involvement makes it easy for doctors to evaluate lens fit in between other scheduled patients rather than having patients return on another day for the diagnostic. This efficiency helps manage patient flow for more productivity, plus patients and parents appreciate the respect of their precious time.
TIP 3: INVOLVE EMOTION
Giving kids another vision correction option can be welcome. "The growing body of research demonstrates that contact lenses significantly improve how children feel about their physical appearance and participating in activities such as sports," notes Marjorie Rah, OD, PhD, of the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Mass. "This should give doctors and parents greater confidence in presenting children with the option of contact lenses."
TIP 4: EMPHASIZE PRACTICALITIES
Most ECPs recommend two-week or daily disposables for kids, primarily for eye health and compliance.
French notes: "I joke about kids making their beds, taking out garbage, helping with dishes, etc., but this is to emphasize that kids need to listen to me and my staff about lens care and treat contact lenses as a privilege." EB
| BONUS Tip: Environmental Awareness |
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| Asking lifestyle questions about eye comfort is crucial, especially with young patients. Even if patients are regulars, school, work, and leisure activities can change. New and different allergies can develop. And all this can occur since the last visit. Basic questions like: "Do your contact lenses feel the same at 7:00 p.m. as they do at 7:00 a.m.?" and "Have you experienced any dryness with your eyes and if so, when?" can start the ball rolling toward a diagnosis and possible contact lens design, material or modality update. Be sure to pose questions to patients and their parents, since fitting youngsters essentially involves two patients: the kid and the parent. The goal is for kids to be successful, long-term patients. |
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