CAN I WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
After a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will be able to know whether or not contacts are right for you. The health of your eyes must be determined before contacts are prescribed because the lenses are worn directly on the cornea, the surface of the eye. The exam will also give the doctor an accurate understanding of what level of visual correction is needed.
HOW DO I GET CONTACT LENSES?
A contact lens fitting is needed in order for them to be perscribed. To determine which lens fits best and provides the best vision, the doctor will place several diagnostic or trial lenses on the eye. The doctor then will explain how the lenses are to be cleaned and worn. You should follow the schedule for wearing your contacts as instructed by your doctor. The doctor will see you for several follow-up visits over the course of the first few months after the contact lens fitting to make sure the lenses are not harming the eyes. During these visits, the power and fit of the lens will be reevaluated and if the lenses are a successful fit, the final contact lens prescription is determined.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES?
Advancements in contact lenses have come a long way and the options for the consumer are exciting. Some contacts can give you an appearance of having a different eye color, and some contacts are disposable and can be discarded at the end of the day. Contact lenses can help people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, or astigmatism and there are different types of contact lenses to help with different vision problems.
- Planned replacement lenses (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
- Daily disposable lenses (very popular, no solution or care system needed)
- High-Definition lenses (can reduce optical aberrations for improved vision)
-Enhancement tint (enhances the natural color of the eye)
-Opaque tint (for those who want a completely different color)
I NEED BIFOCALS, CAN I WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes. There are several options available for people over 40 who need both a distance and a reading correction.
CAN CONTACT LENSES HARM THE EYE?
A contact lens is a medical device and changes the physiology of the front surface of the eye. As such, if abused, it has the ability to lead to serious complications that can cause vision loss and in rare cases, blindness. It is important to always follow your eye doctor's instructions and have regular exams if you wear contact lenses. If redness or pain occurs, remove the contact lens and contact your eye doctor immediately.
WHAT IS THE PROPER AGE FOR KIDS TO BEGIN WEARING CONTACT LENSES?
The answer is that even infants can and do wear contact lenses. Practically speaking, most kids are mature enough by age 10-12 to care for contacts because they realize that it is a privilege to have their parents trust them with such an adult responsibility. For many kids, their self-esteem may change when they begin wearing contact lenses. They feel more confident and may become less shy which can aid in the development of improved social skills.