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Reading Guide: Contact Lens and Health

With nearly 75 million contact lens wearers on the planet, and 31 million in the US alone, it is hard to imagine that contact lenses are difficult to wear. Most first time wearers, in fact, are delighted with the level of comfort that contact lenses provide. As long as the initial contact lens fitting is performed by a professional eyecare practitioner, any irritation associated with new lenses can be minimized or eliminated. After a brief adjustment period, most people report they can no longer feel contact lenses on their eyes.

It is important for an eyecare professional to assess a young patient's vision correction needs and to discuss his or her capabilities and maturity level with both the patient and the parents when considering contacts. Personal wear and care regimens may depend upon the type of contact prescribed, the nature of the vision problem being corrected, and the patient’s unique eye chemistry.

The FDA classifies contact lenses as prescription medical devices. They require regular visits to an eyecare professional and proper care/maintenance. Together with our team of eyecare professionals and advisors, the Contact Lens Council has compiled a list of safety tips to be used as a guideline for current or potential contact lens wearers. Now begin to know knowledge on contact lens and health.

All about your eyes

Eyes do not actually see objects -- what they see is the light that objects reflect. When these light rays enter the eye, they are absorbed and converted into electrical signals by retinal nerves. These signals are subsequently sent to the brain where they are interpreted as visual images.

In a normal eye, light rays enter the eye through the "cornea" (window of the eye) and are focused with the help of a "crystalline lens" behind the pupil at a point directly on the retina (the light sensitive nervous tissue at the back of the eyeball). However, only about four in ten people have normal visual acuity. For the rest, clear vision may be achieved by refocusing light rays with the use of corrective lenses.

Contact lenses are delicately crafted, very thin optical discs generally smaller than a dime, worn directly on the eye. They are comfortably held in place by a natural layer of tears present between the contact lens and the cornea. Contacts eliminate the barriers encountered with spectacles that interfere with the line of sight above, below and to the sides of the eye, offering outstanding peripheral vision. In addition, contacts can reduce or eliminate the image distortion sometimes caused by eyeglasses.

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Eyecare Professionals

Good vision is important for everyone. Routine eye exams can uncover conditions such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism and eyestrain early on, allowing for fast treatment of most problems. Eye exams can also provide evidence of other serious, but hidden, medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammations, infections and the hardening of arteries. Eye ailments have also been linked to learning disabilities that can be treated with vision correction.

If you are serious about contact lenses, review the rest of the information in our site, and then arrange for an appointment with your eyecare professional, one of the two types below.

Ophthalmologists (MD) are medical doctors (MD or osteopath) uniquely trained to diagnose and treat all disorders of the eye. An ophthalmologist is trained in all aspects of eyecare - medical, surgical and optical.

Optometrists (OD) are state-licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat vision problems. They prescribe glasses, contact lenses, engage in low vision rehabilitation and vision therapy, can prescribe ophthalmic medications and, in certain states, perform certain surgical procedures. They hold the doctor of optometry (OD) degree.

Opticians are professionals in designing, finishing and dispensing eyeglasses, and cosmetic and therapeutic contact lenses, based on an eye doctor's prescription. Opticians can not actually prescribe contact lenses.

The design of segmented contact lenses is similar to that of bifocal spectacles, but segmented lenses actually work differently. The top portion of a segmented lens is for distance vision, the bottom for near, or reading, vision. Look straight ahead, and the distance portion of the lens will be in use; then look down to read, and the lens will bring the near vision segment into the line of sight. As a result, this type of lens provides alternating vision.

Contact lenses that don't fit correctly or are used by more than one individual can cause serious eye infections, sometimes resulting in permanent eye damage or worse.

An alternative to bifocal lenses, monovision contacts correct one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Today, more than 30 years since its invention, monovision still has an extremely high success rate, yet only a small percentage of presbyopes use this method. monovision offers the advantages of simpler fitting and less expensive lenses, but some patients don't like the loss of binocular vision that it causes. (Binocular vision is the ability to use both eyes to see objects in three dimensions.)

Monovision usually requires a longer period of adaptation. Because depth perception is altered with monovision, additional correction may be needed for driving and operating heavy equipment. Under these circumstances, driving glasses to correct the reading eye for distance and improve binocular vision are recommended. Similarly, some wearers may require an additional near vision correction in the distance eye to allow prolonged or concentrated reading.

The adjustment period can vary widely depending on the type of lens, the patient's motivation and visual needs, and the fitting schedule. Some simultaneous vision lenses require two weeks of continuous wearing before the patient adapts to the lens, while other types of lenses may be accommodated more quickly. The key to any adjustment period is ongoing consultation with your eyecare professional.

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General safety tips for contact lens wearers

With lens care now easier and more convenient than ever before, contact lens wear has become more of a possibility for teens, pre-teens, and even some children. Basic lens care includes cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing to keep lenses clean, comfortable and free from bacteria. The CLC urges parents and their children alike to follow specific instructions prescribed by their eyecare professionals. Below is a list of recommended tips for successful contact lens wear.

Visit a reputable eyecare professional for a complete eye examination every 12 months or more frequently if directed by your eyecare professional.

Use only contact lenses if they are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eyecare practitioner. Ask your practitioner whether the FDA has cleared the product.

Never swap contact lens with another person.

Don't wear lenses longer than prescribed, nor when sleeping unless otherwise directed.

If eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult your doctor. Don't try to brave the irritation.

Replace contacts as recommended by your eyecare professional because they wear out over time. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.

Cleaning and solutions safety tips

CRD: Cleanse, Rinse, Disinfect your lenses after removal and before wearing them again. Enzyme cleaners and cleaning solutions alone can not substitute for disinfecting, although there are multipurpose products that can perform many of these functions if used as directed.

Wash and rinse your hands before handling your lenses. A non-perfumed hand soap is recommended.

Never use non-sterile homemade saline, distilled water or tap water for any part of your lens care regimen.

Know your solution. Solutions cannot always be mixed. Use products recommended by your eyecare professional. Not all solutions can be used for all contact lenses.

Solutions can become contaminated during use. Do not let the bottle tip touch any surface including your contact lenses.

Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed. Contact lens cases can be a source of bacterial growth.

How to insert your contact lenses properly

Wash (a non-perfumed soap is preferred), rinse & dry your hands before any interaction with the contacts. A wet finger could cause a soft lens to flatten. Do not use fingernails when handling your lenses.

If you are near a sink, close the drain to avoid any mishaps. Always insert your contacts in the same order to eliminate mix-ups.Pour the lens and storage fluid from the case into your palm.Examine your lens for particles, deposits or tears.

Place the lens, cup side up, on your forefinger. Be sure the lens is right side out—the lens’ edge will appear almost straight up. If the lens is inside out, the edges will bow out slightly. If the lens is inside out, reverse it before proceeding.

Insert: ( Better know about contact lens and health )

Close your eye for a moment. Apply one to two eye drops (lens lubricant) if your lenses feel dry or vision blurs.

Repeat the same steps for inserting the lens for the left (or second) eye.

There have been alarming reports throughout the country that people--most frequently teenagers-are "swapping" lenses with each other: "I’ll trade you my blues for your cats-eyes". Remmber: do not swap, borrow or buy someone else's lenses. It is essential that contact lenses be professionally fitted. Contact lenses that don't fit correctly or are used by more than one individual can cause serious eye infections, sometimes resulting in permanent eye damage, or worse.

The design of segmented contact lenses is similar to that of bifocal spectacles, but segmented lenses actually work differently. The top portion of a segmented lens is for distance vision, the bottom for near, or reading, vision. Look straight ahead, and the distance portion of the lens will be in use; then look down to read, and the lens will bring the near vision segment into the line of sight. As a result, this type of lens provides alternating vision.

More about contact lens and health, please click Contact Lens Tips.

The Benefits Of Contact Lenses

For those who prefer the way they look without glasses -- or find glasses to be cumbersome and awkward -- contacts can provide ease, convenience and comfort.

For those who have always wanted to change their eye color, contacts can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels -- and even patterns and designs.

For those who work or play in an environment in which spectacles are not an option, contacts allow for comfortable goggle wear, or the appearance of no vision correction whatsoever.

For those who think laser surgery and its risks are frightening and prohibitively expensive, contacts can provide a safe, comfortable and time-tested alternative.

Makeup and Contact Lenses: Go ahead and be beautiful!

Many people choose contact lenses for vision correction simply based on appearance factors alone -- they know they look better without their glasses. People wear makeup to enhance their appearance as well, but are afraid that cosmetics may interfere with their contact lens wear.

Not to worry! Follow these simple guidelines below, and you can rest assured that you are improving your appearance in both ways, and in a safe and healthy manner.

The article above about contact lens and health quoted from Contact Lenses Network.