I recently took the plunge into the world of contact lenses. Now, I’ll admit, the thought of sticking something onto my eyeballs initially made me a tad nervous. But guess what? The whole process turned out to be way less daunting than I imagined. I now wish I wouldn’t have waited so long.
As a newfound contact lens wearer, I’m here to share my journey – the ups, the downs, and the triumphant “I did it!” moments. We are sharing a beginner’s guide to contact lenses guide. It is based upon my own experiences. Hopefully, it will help all of you embrace the world of better eyesight, one lens at a time.
Some Important Info on Contact Lenses
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact lenses are considered one of several effective options for users to improve their vision. They are cited to especially help those who are conscious about their physical appearance. Also, those who are active in sports and other physical activities.
In fact, many younger users switch to contact lenses and consequently report significant improvements in their perceived appearance. They also benefit from their participation in activities, and satisfaction with vision correction.
However, contact lens usage comes with risks if you aren’t careful. An estimated 40 to 90 percent of contact lens wearers do not properly follow the care instructions for their contact lenses, and statistics show that serious eye infections that can lead to blindness affect up to 1 out of every 500 contact lens users per year.
Proper understanding of the care and use of contact lenses is important. To help out, we’ve come up with this beginner’s guide to contact lenses below.
Our Beginner’s Guide to Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are lightweight artificial devices that are usually applied directly on the eye’s front surface. This substitutes for the anterior corneal surface to help correct refractive errors, irregularities, and surface abnormalities.
Contact lenses made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) first became popular in 1946, 500 years after they were first conceptualized by Leonardo da Vinci. Board-certified optometric physician Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD explains that there are many different types of contact lenses in the market today.
These can vary according to material, wear time, replacement schedule, and design, but soft and disposable contact lenses continue to be among the most popular formats for their comfort and convenience.
Finding Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are highly accessible and can be found even outside of an optical store. For one, you can take a quick trip to Walgreens or Walmart to replenish your usual supply of Eureka or Waldo contact lenses. The latter’s state-of-the-art facilities even feature a functional try-on atmosphere and semi-private spaces for associate consultations.
Users who are already certain of their contact lens needs and prescriptions can also conveniently order contact lenses online. This provides users access to a catalog of various brands, from Acuvue to Dailies, that can be added to their carts with different sorts of promos and discounts and shipped for free.
Take note, however, that you will still need to fill in your doctor’s information so that your prescription details can be confirmed. Contact lenses are considered medical devices in the U.S. and thereby require a prescription by a qualified eye care practitioner.
Caring for Contact Lenses
Purchasing contact lenses in the U.S. requires an official prescription. This is because any wrong or careless usage may result in damaging consequences for your eyes. In fact, Walmart even had to issue a nationwide recall for Johnson & Johnson Acuvue Vita brand contact lenses due to a packaging issue wherein the box wasn’t fully sealed. Improper sealing can cause the lenses to become unsterile and thus risk infection.
It is important that users are also responsible and always double-check every purchase of contact lenses they make. Confirm the expiration date first of all, and see if the packaging is tightly sealed. If uncertain of any blemish or defect, it is recommended that you rightfully request a replacement from the manufacturer or retailer.
Otherwise, store your lenses in a cool and dry place. These should be stored in the proper lens storage case with a fresh solution. The solution should be regularly changed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, even if you don’t use your lenses daily.
When in doubt about proper contact lens care, consult a qualified eye care practitioner. There is no room for error when it comes to our eyes. By properly understanding our contact lenses, we can ensure safe, comfortable, and healthy eyes for a long time.
Visitors to our website can find many other useful articles like this, including a guide on how to stop biting the inside of your cheek.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Relax, take a deep breath. Make sure your hands are clean and dry. Use your fingers to gently place the lens on your eye. It gets easier with practice, promise!
Nope, not a good idea. Your eyes need a break, just like you do. Take those lenses out before hitting the hay. Leaving them in can cause problems like eye infections, and uncomfortable situations.
Keep them out of the water! Pools, hot tubs, oceans, even showers– lenses don’t vibe well with water.
