How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Get Contact Lenses

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 14, 2022 References

Do your glasses get in the way of your daily activities, or ruin that gorgeous costume you planned? Contacts are a great option, but your parents may disagree. If you want to convince your parents to get you contacts, you need to do some research and show how responsible you are. Then discuss your options with your parents in a mature way and see where the conversation goes!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Ready for Contacts

1
Do your research. Look into how contact lenses work and decide how it could fit into your daily routine. Find online reviews of any contact brands to get an idea of any possible troubleshooting that could happen down the road. You should also familiarize yourself with common ailments associated with contact lenses, such as infections.
2
Act responsibly. This means doing all of your chores, diligently wearing your glasses if you have them, and finishing your homework without your parents nagging you. The key is to build trust between you and your parents because you are showing them that you can clean and maintain your contacts with no issues.

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3
Bring up the subject at your next appointment with your eye doctor. Request to get your prescription updated and ask your doctor about contacts during the appointment. Your parents may want to hear a professional opinion, and your eye doctor can assess if your eyes are ready for contacts.
- Your doctor can also give you an idea of what kinds of contacts would be best for your eyes if you turn out to be a good candidate. Some contacts can be worn for up to a week without needing to be removed, while others only last for a day and need to be thrown away constantly.^{[1]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Optometric Association
  Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Talking to Your Parents

1
Discuss the pros and cons of contacts. Tell your parents how contacts could benefit you. They could boost your confidence, or perhaps colored contacts will complete a costume you worked so hard on. Listen quietly and calmly to what your parents have to say.
- If you play a sport, this could be a big selling point in convincing your parents to let you get contact lenses. For example, you could tell your parents, “Hey dad, I have to take off my glasses for football practice and I couldn’t see the ball.” This will show your parents that contacts are a necessity for your best performance at sports.
2
Ask if you can try some trial lenses. Your parents may be more willing to let you try them out for a little bit before making any big commitments. Most contact companies offer a free or discounted trial for a certain amount of time.
- Don’t be discouraged if a particular contact doesn’t work for you. Refer to your doctor for a different brand and start a new trial. It may take a few tries before you find your ideal fit.
3
Show that you will take care of your contacts. Knowledge is power! Demonstrate to your parents that you have done your research and understand how to properly take care of your contacts and your eyes.
- Print a guide from the internet to go through it with your parents. Offer to add more to the guide if they have questions you cannot answer. Tape it up on the fridge so they have something to look back on if they have more questions.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Demonstrate awareness of germs and sanitary cleaning. Contacts can severely damage your eyes if they are not kept clean.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}This can be as simple as washing your hands more, or regularly disinfecting high-traffic surfaces.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dealing with Your Parents’ Response

1
Ask them why they don't want you to have contacts. If your parents say no to your proposition, then you can politely ask them why. Maybe there is a misunderstanding that can be solved easily. Have a very calm demeanor and ask why with an even tone of voice.
2
Don’t give up right away if you parents say no. Some parents like to see that you truly want something before giving it to you. This does not mean that you should nag your parents, just wait a couple months and try again. If you ask again for something you wanted a while ago, this shows your parents that you are serious about the matter.
3
Offer to help pay for contacts. Money might be the only roadblock to contacts, so ask if you can have contacts if you pay (at least partly) for them. Depending on any pre-existing conditions, cost can be a big issue for contact wearers.
- Contact wearers with an astigmatism on average pay $60-$70 for a box of six contact lenses. A month’s worth box of daily contacts costs $20-$30, while a year supply of monthly contacts can cost $250-$300.^{[4]
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  Research source}
- If you want special contacts to dress up occasionally, you will likely only need about one to two boxes a year. Save up your money so you can get a box of contacts for your next few special occasions. Depending on your desired effect, a box of colored lenses can cost anywhere between $20-$200.^{[5]
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  Research source}
4
Be prepared to have your parents along for the journey. If your parents do allow you to get contacts, show them that you are following all guidelines. Verbally remind yourself to take them out at night, and carry an emergency pair of glasses when you leave the house.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Your parents may want to watch you learn how to put in your contacts, and may occasionally ask you how your transition is going. Allow them to be as much involved in the process as they wish to avoid tension and maintain trust.

Warnings

Remember to keep your promises. Any lagging on compromises or the general upkeep of your contacts may result in your parents taking them away.

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Helpful 11 Not Helpful 0
Even if your parents let you get them, you may ultimately not be able to wear contact lenses. A very small minority of the population is physically unable to wear them. Your eye doctor will most likely be able to determine this.

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Helpful 91 Not Helpful 21
Do not go behind your parents' back to try to get contact lenses, you could completely ruin their trust. Most opticians will not even conduct the exam if you are under 18 and don't have a parent present, in order to prevent any lawsuits.

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Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1
Don't sound like you are being peer pressured. This includes the “everybody else is doing it” excuse. This shows your parents that you are not totally invested in contacts, and could stop wearing them if they suddenly are no longer popular.

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Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
NEVER get upset or whine if they say "no". If you act mature and responsibly afterwards, they might change their mind. And even if they don't, you can always save up some money and get them the minute you turn 18.

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