General Contact Lens information
Pricing
Prices vary quite a bit depending on the brand and replacement schedule. With disposable lenses, it is much easier to change the powers, which is convenient for a person with an unstable prescription. Disposables, when replaced regularly, are also healthier for the eyes compared to yearly replacement lenses because they are less likely to have dirt and deposits that attract bacteria and may lead to infections. Handling and cleaning soft contacts is usually quite simple as well.
Possible Complications
With any type of contact lens, there is an increased risk of infection. For this reason it is extremely important to be fit by an eye doctor with a proper lens for your particular eye and to follow the appropriate cleaning and wearing directions. In addition to infection, overwearing contacts can lead to hypoxia wherein the normally clear cornea can develop blood vessels from a lack of oxygen. Contacts can also induce warpage of the cornea, which can make it hard to see clearly out of glasses immediately after removing the contacts.
Who cannot wear contacts?
Your eye doctor can tell you if you are an appropriate candidate for contacts. He/she will want to make sure that you don't have severe dry eye or blepharitis which may interfere with the comfort of contacts. Sensitivity to the lens cleaning solutions may also make contact lens use uncomfortable, but specific solutions are available to address that problem, if necessary.
What are Some Guidelines for Safe Contact Lens Wear?
Proper wear, care, and handling of contact lenses are essential to promoting healthy eyes. Patients that ignore certain precautions are at risk for developing infections, inflammation, corneal scarring and other potentially sight-threatening conditions. Patients that have contact lens-related eye complications may have to discontinue wearing lenses indefinitely. Serious complications may permanently damage the eyes.
To reduce the likelihood of contact lens complications, simple precautions must be taken:
- Hands should be properly washed with soap and water and dried before handling the contact lenses
- Moisturizing lotions, creams and fragrant soaps should be not be used until after handling contact lenses
- Aerosol sprays should be avoided while wearing contacts
- Make-up should be applied only after inserting the contacts
- Contact lens cleaning solutions should be used only as directed by the manufacturer, when using multi-purpose solution it is important to replace the solution each day, and never "top off" solution or mix brands
- Contact lens cases should be rinsed with multi-purpose solution and air dried daily and the case should be replaced every 2-3 months
- Contact lenses should never be stored in tap water or saliva for even a short period of time; contacts should also never be stored in saline solution, even if it labeled as "sterile"
- It is not recommended that patients swim or use hot tubs while wearing contact lenses because even if treated with chloride water contains microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections
- Prescription and over-the-counter eye drops should not be used when wearing contact lenses unless they are specifically approved for such use
- Contact lenses should be removed at least one hour before sleep
Patients should immediately remove their contact lenses and see their eye doctor if the eye becomes red, painful, irritated or if the vision becomes blurry. The lenses should not be re-inserted until the eye doctor has determined that it is safe to do so. It is important that all contact lens wearers have an up-to-date pair of glasses in the event that they will not be able to wear their contacts for a period of time.
