Contact lens should take into account your lifestyle and safety. Depending on the type of sport you enjoy you may need to take into account the following:
- Soft lenses tend to stay in place better than gas-permeable lenses or spectacles.
- Squash and tennis are particularly dangerous to the eyes as the ball is just the right size to fit into the orbit (the bony depression in the skull where your eye is positioned) so your child will still need to wear protective eyewear over hiscontact lenses.
- When playing sports like hurling or rugby then protective headware should be worn as this will help protect the sensitive eye area.
- Contact lenses are probably not ideal for swimming as your child would need to wear tight-fitting goggles over the lenses to prevent them from becoming dislodged (and some people believe that an eye infection is encouraged by swimming in soft lenses). As your child is going to need to wear goggles, it is probably worthwhile investing in some prescription swimming goggles and then he won't have to worry about losing his contact lenses or getting an eye infection.
- Wear safety glasses if using tools/chemicals in school as wood chippings, metal shavings can fly off and damage the eye. Similarly, chemicals can be dangerous if they come in contact with the eye.
It is always best to exert caution when playing sports and if any accidents occur seek immediate medical advice.
