Contact Lenses More Options, Greater Satisfaction

By Mescheca C. Bunyon, OD

Special Eye Care

. https://www.specialeyecare.net/

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Contact Lenses More Options, Greater Satisfaction

Contact lenses are small, ultra-thin, optical lenses worn directly on the eye to correct vision problems (like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia). Most contact lenses are soft, or “hydrophilic,” meaning they are made of water. (This is how soft contact lenses stay soft.) Soft contact lenses are extremely thin and are manufactured from materials that allow oxygen to pass through them and reach the eye surface.
Almost everyone can wear contact lenseschildren as young as 8 years old can learn to wear (and take care of) contact lenses.
Types of Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses come in four basic categories
Spherical (Regular) Contact Lenses These lenses correct basic vision problems like near-sightedness (myopia) and far-sightedness (hyperopia).
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism These lenses correct astigmatism by compensating for the shape of the eye. Vision correction with contact lenses for astigmatism can be as good as what you would get with glasses.
Contact Lenses for Presbyopia Bifocal contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia (inability to focus sharply for near vision related to aging). Bifocal contact lenses are a comfortable, effective alternative to wearing glasses (or regular contact lenses with reading glasses).
Color (Cosmetic) Contact Lenses Color contact lenses are regular spherical contacts that have a special color layer within the lens allowing the color to blend with your own natural eye color, while never touching your eye. This unique color layer allows anyone to change or enhance their eye color, whether you have light eyes, dark eyes, or even 20/20 eyes.
Wear and Replacement Schedules
Soft lenses are recommended for three basic wear and replacement schedules
Daily Wear Wear them during the day, take them out at night, clean and disinfect them, and put the same lenses back in the next day. Daily wear lenses are worn for two weeks and then discarded and replaced with a new pair.
Flexible Wear Wear them all day and all night, even while sleeping. Continuously wear lenses for 7 days and then discard and replac with a new pair.
Daily Disposable Wear them for one day and then throw them away.
Myths
Myth Contact lenses can get lost behind your eye.
Fact Absolutely notits physically impossible for a contact lens to get “behind” your eye.
Myth Contact lenses are a pain to take care of.
Fact Contacts are simple and hassle-free. You can choose daily disposable lenses that you wear for a day and toss awayor even “extended or flexi- wear” contact lenses that you can sleep in.
Myth Contact lenses hurt.
Fact Soft contact lenses are very comfortable and easy to wear. Most people “get used to” their lenses in just minutes, and afterwards say it feels like wearing nothing at all in the eye.
Myth People over 40 shouldnt wear contact lenses.
Fact People of all ages wear contact lenses successfully. And thanks to bifocal contact lenses, many Baby Boomers are kissing the reading glasses goodbye, too. There are even contact lenses with extra moisture which most dry eye sufferers can wear.
Myth You can get “pink eye” and other infections from contact lenses.
Fact Some lens-related health problems do occur, but these are almost always a result of poor cleaning routines or other care-related issues. If you follow your eye care professionals directions, your eyes are at little risk of infection.