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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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If
you would like to publish this
infomation on your website, include the following information with a
direct link to www.framesdirect.com
Dr. David Cooper
and Dr.
Guy
Hodgson are the founders of FramesDirect.com which
has been recognized for outstanding customer service and satisfaction. FramesDirect.com
is fast becoming the global
leader of prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and sun glasses sales
online.
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