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Contact Lenses - Questions and Answers
Contact Lenses FAQs
With so many brands, styles and types of contacts lenses on the market today, consumers often have difficulty determining what contact lenses may suit them or their children best. Some of the most often asked questions and answers are below. If you have a question that is not listed below, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions about contact lenses.
Who can wear contact lenses? Most people can wear contacts. Recent advances in contact lenses include astigmatism-correcting lenses, bifocals, daily disposables, and frequent-replacement lenses. Whether you're nearsighted or farsighted, older or younger, you can probably wear some type of contact lens.
Are contact lenses safe for my eyes? Can they cause damage to the cornea? Contact lenses have proven to be a healthy vision option for millions of people. Only your eye care professional can determine if they are healthy for you. If you follow all prescribed steps for inserting, removing, and caring for them, contact lenses will continue to be safe and effective. You also need to see your eye care professional regularly to insure long-term health. The FDA has recently announced that they are stopping the sale of special effect contact lenses, you know the cat eyes type, as these lenses have been reported to have caused blindness in some cases.
At what age can contact lens use begin? As soon as the need for vision correction is identified, contact lenses are a viable option. In fact, they have frequently been used in premature infants, who sometimes have vision problems. With proper care and lens maintenance, infants, young children, teens, and adults of all ages can wear contacts effectively.
Should I wear contacts while playing sports? Sports vision doctors agree that contact lenses are the best vision correction option for athletes. They can enhance visual skills like depth perception, peripheral awareness, and eye-hand/eye-foot coordination. Unlike glasses, contacts offer athletes a competitive advantage because they stay in place under dynamic conditions, provide a wider vision field, and eliminate the risk of glasses-related injuries. Contact lenses also make it easy to wear protective glasses.
Is it true that some contact lenses can actually slow or control nearsightedness? Many contact lens specialists agree that oxygen permeable contact lenses, which are made of firm plastic, may slow the progression of nearsightedness (myopia), whereas spectacles or soft contact lenses offer no such benefit. Myopia control is one reason why oxygen permeable contacts are an excellent choice for many school-aged children and teens. Various eye care practitioners are continuing research in this area.
If I have astigmatism, can I wear contact lenses? Yes. Astigmatism is distorted vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Contact lenses that correct astigmatism are called toric lenses, and come in both soft and oxygen permeable contact lens materials. Oxygen permeables tend to work better for astigmatism, because they are custom-fit to your eyes' particular shape; also, their firm material keeps its original shape more when you blink. In addition, small amounts of astigmatism may be corrected with a regular, non-toric oxygen permeable lens.
Aren't soft contact lenses the newest and best technology? No. When they were first available in 1971, soft contact lenses were a giant leap in technology and comfort over old-style hard contact lenses. But oxygen permeable lenses are a huge advancement. Recently developed materials and designs make them the most advanced option for contact lens wearers, offering sharper vision, better corneal health, longer lens life, and greater ease of care than most soft contacts.
Are contacts hard to take care of? It differs from lens to lens. Oxygen permeable contacts, which last for years, 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 usually require daily cleaning and disinfection as well as weekly enzyming.
How can I get contact lenses that change the appearance or color of my eyes? Soft contact lenses are available that will change the color of your eyes, even if you don't require vision correction. Costume lenses for Halloween or theatrical purposes are also available. Both are still a prescribed medical device that must be fitted and followed up by your eye care professional. And remember, even though such lenses might provoke curiosity by your friends and family members, never share them with anyone. Sharing colored contacts can lead to dangerous health problems.
Who should I see for contacts - an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? It is your choice. Optometrists perform eye examinations, treat eye disease, prescribe vision correction, fit contact lenses, and dispense eyeglasses. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. Many concentrate on surgery and treatment of disease, but some specialize in contact lenses. Also, in some states specially trained opticians or contact lens technicians are licensed to fit contact lenses. Since they must fit the lenses from an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's prescription, they often work together in the same office.
How much do contact lenses cost? The cost of contact lenses can vary greatly. If you have a difficult prescription or need correction for problems like astigmatism, your lenses will be more expensive. If you have no special requirements, your options will range from daily disposables (fairly high cost) to oxygen permeable contacts, which are thought by many to provide the greatest value. Oxygen permeables, though initially more expensive, can last for years and are inexpensive to care for. Consumer Reports called oxygen permeables a better buy "because they're more durable and cheaper to maintain." Fortunately, oxygen permeables can also accommodate any prescription, no matter how difficult, because they are custom-made for each individual wearer. Buying contact lenses over the Internet can save consumers more that 50% off the regular price.
Can I sleep while wearing contact lenses? It depends on the type of lens you're wearing, the composition of your tear film, your general eye health, and other factors. Oxygen permeable contact lenses and certain soft lenses can be slept in, but never wear them while sleeping unless your eye care practitioner says you can.
I've never worn contact lenses, and the thought of putting something in my eye is a little scary. This is a typical concern with first time contact lens wearers, Here are some of their most common concerns:
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I can't get my eye open wide enough. Yes you can. Simply grasp your upper eyelashes between your thumb and index finger and gently pull the eyelids apart. Don't worry this is not painful and is quite easy to do.
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My eyes are too small - contact lenses won't fit me! They aren't. Hold the top lid up and rest the edge of the lens inside the lower lid with the lens slanting out. If you look down, the lens should move onto the eye.
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What if I put the lens in the wrong place? The lens will not fit properly unless it's centered, and the lens has the natural tendency to move to the center of your eye.
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What if the lens slides to the back of my eyeball? Who ever told you this could happen was pulling your chain as this is impossible!
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The lens won't stick in place. Usually it's because the lens is attracted to the wettest surface, and your finger is wetter than your eye. Dry your finger, and let your lens air-dry for a few seconds before insertion.
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I'm afraid I'll put my lens on inside out. The good thing about oxygen permeable lenses is that they can't flip inside out. However if it's a soft lens, look at it closely. If the edge is flared out - it's probably inside out. Some soft lenses even have indicators to help you know if they're inside out.
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How do I get the lens out again? Isn't it stuck to my eye? No it is not. If you are wearing an oxygen permeable lens, just pull your eyelid to the side and slowly blink. The lens should pop right out so be ready to grab it as you blink. And for soft contact lenses, use a few drops of rewetting or solution to keep the lens wet, look up and touch the lens. Let it slide down to the outside corner of the eye. The lens should bunch up and be easy to fold out. (Yes you can fold them as they are soft contact lenses, not hard lenses.)
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Will touching the lens cause eye problems? No. Just make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water first.
If you have additional questions about contact lenses, contact us and we would be glad to answer your questions!
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