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Contact lenses can be worn by just about everybody to correct just about
any eye condition. They can correct both near-sightedness and far-sightedness, as
well as
astigmatism and
presbyopia. Contact lenses can even be worn by people who don't need vision
correction, but who simply want to change their eye color.
That largely depends on how responsible you are. Contacts have frequently
been used with premature infants, who sometimes have vision problems. With proper
care and maintenance, people of all ages can wear contacts safely and effectively.
The price of contact lenses can vary greatly. If you have a difficult
prescription or need correction for problems like astigmatism, contact lenses can
be fairly expensive. However, if you have no special requirements, the cost will
be significantly cheaper. It really depends on the type of contacts you buy.
Daily disposables
can be quite pricey; oxygen permeables provide a better value. While initially more
expensive, oxygen permeables can last for years and are inexpensive to care for.
They can also accommodate any prescription, no matter how difficult, because they
are custom-made for each individual wearer.
It varies from lens to lens. Oxygen permeable contacts, need daily
cleaning and disinfecting but generally no enzyming, since their slick surface resists
deposit buildup. Daily disposable lenses are worn once, then discarded, with no
maintenance required. Weekly soft disposables are cleaned at the end of the day,
then soaked in disinfecting solution until they're worn again. Since they're discarded
before deposit buildups occur, they don't need to be soaked in an enzyme solution.
Other soft lenses however, usually require daily cleaning/disinfection and weekly
enzyming.
Many people have a fear of putting foreign objects in their eyes. For
the most part, that's a healthy thing; it keeps them from poking them out. Unfortunately,
it also prevents them from trying contact lenses. Most first time wearers are surprised
with the level of comfort that contact lenses provide. Initial contact lens fittings
by professional eye care specialists can minimize or eliminate any irritation associated
with new lenses. After a brief adjustment period, most people report they can no
longer feel contact lenses on their eyes. See our tutorial on
Inserting and Removing Contact Lenses.
Yes, in fact most sports medicine specialists recommend them over
eyeglasses. They can enhance visual
skills like depth perception, peripheral awareness, and eye-hand/eye-foot coordination.
And unlike glasses, contacts offer athletes a competitive advantage because they
stay in place more easily and provide a wider vision field. Contact lenses also
make it easy to wear protective goggles.
Many doctors highly recommend both disposable and frequent replacement
contact lenses: they pose a lower health risk because there's less chance for protein
and bacteria to build up on them.
It depends on the type of lens you're wearing, the composition of
your tear film, your general eye health, and various other factors. Oxygen permeable
contact lenses and certain soft lenses can be slept in, but always be sure to check
with your eye care professional first.
No. Soft lenses must be stored in a disinfecting
solution. Temporary storage in saline is allowed, but the lenses will have to be
disinfected prior to the next use. RGP lenses can be stored in tap water in an emergency,
but will need to be cleaned and conditioned by soaking in an appropriate disinfecting
solution prior to use.
No. There is nowhere for it to go. The conjunctiva,
the fine, thin membrane that covers the sclera (white part) and inside of your eyelids
is well attached to the side walls of the eye socket. Although you can not lose
a lens it can find its way up and under the upper lid and be pretty hard to locate.
A soft lens can roll up and likewise be hard to find. Either way, if you flush your
eye with water or saline, the lens should float out. In rare instances, a RGP lens
may adhere by suction to the conjunctiva. First apply wetting solution to the lens
and wait about a minute. Then try to move the lens while gently pressing on one
edge. If that doesn't work, you can try to very gently lift up under one edge to
break the seal. Or go see your eye doctor. If a contact lens adheres repeatedly,
it is not fitted correctly and should be replaced.
Alternately cover each eye with your hand. Do
not simply squeeze your lids closed. Compare the vision. If one eye is noticeably
better or worse, switch them and try again.
Here are three methods. Not all work for all lenses.
(1) Place the lens on the tip of your finger facing upward, like a bowl. If when
viewed from the side the edges of the bowl flare outward, it's inside out. (2) Add
saline, drop by drop to fill the bowl. If the edges begin to curl inwards, it's
the correct way. (3) Place the lens on the crease in your hand just below your pinkie.
This is sometimes called the "life line or heart line". Make sure the
lens is centered over the crease. As you curl your fingers inward to close your
hand, the edges of the lens should roll inwards to form a "soft taco".
This is the correct position.
Absolutely. Never, never wear a lens that
is obviously damaged, even if it feels all right. It could be causing damage to
your eyes that might not be immediately apparent. And never wear a lens which is
uncomfortable, causes pain or leaves your vision hazy or distorted.
As a basic rule, never sleep in lenses more
than one week, or less, as prescribed by your doctor. Dispose of them as recommended.
Daily wear users should replace their lenses as recommended by their eye care practitioner.
Wearing your lenses past the recommended replacement interval may result in serious
complications affecting your eye health and vision. Disposable lenses are meant
to be discarded at regular intervals.
You should use products specifically designed for
use with the type of lens you are wearing. Saline solution can be used with any
contact lens. The re-wetting drops for RGP lenses are far more effective than saline
and special soft lens lubricating drops also work well. Drink more water to help
with increasing your natural tear production. Unless directed to do so by your eye
doctor, do not use medicated eye drops, including "get the red out" brands
with contact lenses. Soft lenses may concentrate the drug and alter the effect.
The lens itself may be damaged.
Yes. Home prepared saline is not sterile and
there is the risk of bacterial or parasitic contamination. Although extremely rare,
the resulting infection can be so damaging that it simply is not worth the risk.
Rule one: Do not "mix and match"
contact lens products. The chemicals used within any one care system are designed
to be compatible. Using alternative products could create chemical reactions which
could damage or discolor the lenses, irritate your eyes, or reduce the desired effect
of the product. Unless you're a chemist, don't do it.
Rule two: When it comes to saline, you have a choice between unpreserved
and preserved products. Unpreserved is preferable, and if your system requires unpreserved,
that's what you use. Within each of those categories (preserved or unpreserved),
choose the least expensive. Saline is saline: salt in sterile, distilled water with
a few buffers added.
Note: Be careful to keep your lens care products clean. Do not
touch the tip of the bottles to any surface. If you do, quickly discard the next
few drops. Always close the container with the original top immediately after use.
We hope our Contact Lens FAQ answered your questions. If so, please
check out our online contact lens catalog . If you still have questions, please
call 1-800-248-9427 and speak to one our friendly opticians.
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Dr. David Cooper and Dr. Guy Hodgson are the founders of AFeyewear.com which has been recognized
for outstanding customer service and satisfaction. AFeyewear.com is fast becoming the global leader of prescription
eyeglasses, contact lenses and sun glasses sales online.
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