Spotlight on Contact Lenses | Contact Lens Health Week

Wearing contact lenses is a good option for many people. Even elementary school children can safely wear contacts. But before wearing contacts, it is helpful to understand your options and how to best care for your eyes and lenses.

August 18th is the start of Contact Lens Health Week. The article below discusses the types of contact lenses, safety tips, and factors to consider when choosing lenses. 
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Types of contacts 

There are different types of contact lenses, including:

• Soft contact lenses: Soft lenses are made from flexible plastic, which allows oxygen to move through to the cornea. There are different types of wearing patterns for soft lenses, such as daily wear, two-week wear, and monthly disposable.
• Rigid gas permeable lenses: This lens type may be recommended for people who are harder to fit with soft lenses. They are more durable and can be worn longer than soft contact lenses. 

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Factors to consider when choosing your lenses 

There are a few factors to consider when choosing what type of lenses are best, including your wearing pattern. For example, consider your eye condition. Certain conditions, such as astigmatism, are characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea and may require a special type of lens. Additional factors to consider include:

• Having dry eyes
• Lifestyle
• Eye doctor’s advise 

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Benefits of contact lenses

Contact lenses are a good option for many people. Potential benefits of contacts include the following:

• Contact lenses offer more freedom than glasses when playing sports. For instance, lenses do not interfere with side vision.
• Some individuals may not like the look of eyeglasses. Contacts provide an option to correct various types of vision issues, such as farsightedness and nearsightedness without glasses.
• Contacts may be more comfortable for some people than wearing glasses.
• It may be more convenient to wear contact lenses than glasses, especially if glasses slip off the face.  

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Safe contact lens use 

Contact lenses can be a great alternative to glasses. Both adults and children may prefer contact lenses for several reasons. However, developing safe contact lens practices is important to avoid irritation and prevent infection.

Do not sleep in your contacts: Unless the manufacturer states you can sleep in your lenses, take them out before falling asleep. Sleeping with your contacts in can increase the risk of infection.

Wash your hands before handling your contacts: It may seem like common sense to wash your hands before putting in or taking out your lenses, but if you are in a hurry or aren't careful, it is easy to neglect proper hand hygiene. Handling your contacts without washing your hands can lead to an eye infection.

Replace contacts as recommended: Different manufacturers recommend varying amounts of wear time. Some lenses are worn multiple times, and others are replaced daily. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to avoid irritation and problems with your lenses.

Take lenses out before swimming: Wearing your lenses while you swim can be a recipe for disaster. Various pathogens in the water can lead to an eye infection.

Keep your fingernails short: This is especially helpful if you are a new contact lens wearer. It may be a little awkward at first to put your lenses in. Long nails increase the risk of scratching your eyes.

We hope the above information will help you to wear your lenses safely. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.