Can a teen's eyes be too small for contact lenses?

Many teenagers are squeamish about placing a contact lens in their eye and squeeze their eyes closed. Most will get past this step with practice and patience. If there is a continuing problem the ophthalmologist could choose to fit a small lens. However, smaller lens are rigid and probably not as comfortable as the larger soft lenses.

Most ocular globes("eyeballs") are about the same size. The eye surface that the contact attaches is also about the same for most people The size of the eyelid opening is more of a variable. Most contacts are about the same diameter: soft lenses are larger (about 14mm) than hard contacts (about 9mm). People with smaller eye opening will have a harder time inserting contacts until they get familiar. Generally, people who are highly motivated to wear contacts are able to overcome these differences and can wear any type of contact very successfully. A skilled contact lens practitioner can help any patient to become a successful contact lens wearer.