Contact Lens : Basics
11 months ago 767- • Contact lenses are thin, clear plastic disks you wear in your eye to improve your vision.
- • Like eyeglasses, contact lenses correct vision problems caused by refractive errors.
- • All contact lenses require a valid prescription.
- • Compared with glasses, contact lenses require a longer initial examination and more follow-up visits to maintain eye health.
- • Lens care also requires more time. You will have to clean and store them properly, adhere to lens-wearing schedules and make appointments for follow-up care.
- • Disposal or planned replacement of lenses has to be done as per proper schedule.
- • If you’re interested in contacts, you should schedule an appointment with an eye care specialist. They’ll evaluate your eyes and determine if you can wear contacts. They’ll also discuss the types of contacts available. Each person has different needs based on their eye health, medical history, lifestyle and other factors.
- • Initial Contact lens fitting should also be done by a trained professional.
Contact lenses have many advantages over glasses.
- • Move with your eye to correct your vision in a way that feels natural.
- • Change your self-image.
- • Provide excellent peripheral (side) vision when you’re active. This can help people who
- • have physically demanding jobs or play sports.
- • Help you avoid the problem of foggy glasses.
Who shouldn’t wear contacts?
While contacts have many benefits, they may not be right for you if you:
- • Have dry eye disease.
- • Deal with recurrent eye infections.
- • Have severe allergies.
- • Spend a lot of time in areas with dust or fumes.
- • May not be able to clean and care for your contacts.
Contacts are medical devices. They come with some level of risk, most commonly, eye infections. Learning how to clean and care for your contacts can help you wear them safely.
Types of Contact Lenses
1. Soft lenses:
b. Disposable, Variable period of wear (May be Daily, Monthly or Yearly disposable)
c. May be monofocal/bifocal/multifocal
2. Rigid Gas Permeable lenses:
These provide excellent vision, but need more care and expertise for using. Hence now are commonly used for specific corneal conditions.
3. Specialized lenses:
b. Coloured Cosmetic lenses
c. Bandage contact lenses- Extended wear lenses used for corneal or other ocular conditions
d. Scleral lenses- Larger sized lenses, used in specific conditions
e. Hybrid lenses- RGP centre wih soft lens material at periphery
Basics of Lens care:
2. Clean and store your lenses properly. Use only the designated cleaning solution, as advised by your practitioner.
3. Clean and maintain the lens case. Change lens case periodically
4. Do not splash water into the eyes while wearing contacts
5. Remove your lenses before bed, unless you have a type medically approved for overnight wear.
6. Follow the replacement schedule for your contact lenses
7. Always wear your contact lens before putting on makeup
8. Avoid putting any eye medication (drops/ointment), over the contact lenses