Contact lenses have become commonplace. These small thin disks that float on the surface of the eye and provide vision correction are an option for just about anyone these days thanks to advances in technology. It’s estimated that 45 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses. About two thirds of those wearers are women.
Contact lenses are comfortable and incredibly easy to use, but at Wilkinson Eye Center, we see plenty of cases where patients have worn their lenses too much or haven’t kept them as clean as they should.
In this second February blog, let’s answer a few contact lens questions.
Are contact lenses difficult to care for?
When you stroll through the grocery store or pharmacy you come across a dizzying array of contact lens solution options. This can seem daunting, but it’s not — caring for your disposable contact lenses is easier now than ever. The next time we see you, ask about all the different contact lens solutions and what options are right for your contact lenses. Otherwise, this is the basic process of keeping your soft contact lenses clean and happy.
- Wash your hands with a simple soap. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
- Remove one lens and clean it with the recommend solution. Cleaning removes protein buildup, cosmetics, dirt, and other debris that will impact the comfort of your lenses. The FDA recommends that you rub the lens in the palm of your hand with a few drops of solution for a few seconds. This applies even if you’re using a “no rub” solution.
- Rinse the lens again to remove the loosened debris.
- Fill your clean lens case with solution and place the now-clean lens in it. Don’t top off old solution; use only new solution every day. Disinfecting kills microorganisms on the lens.
- Now do the same with your other lens.
See that was easy. That’s all you need to do to care for your contact lenses.
Who can wear contact lenses?
You may have heard otherwise, but thanks to advances in contact lens technology in recent years, just about everyone is a good fit for contact lenses. There are now bifocal contact lenses for people with presbyopia. They are toric soft and rigid lenses that correct for astigmatism. Plus, custom contact lenses can correct for even the most challenging prescriptions.
At what age can a child start wearing contact lenses?
Over half the surveyed optometrists feel it is appropriate to introduce children to soft contact lenses between the ages of 10 and 12 years old.
Can I wear contact lenses while playing sports?
Many people wear soft contact lenses specifically to play sports. That’s because the lenses correct for vision problems that would otherwise hold them back in the sport. Old hard contact lenses could sometimes pop out of a person’s eye when playing sports or doing other activities, but those are stories from the dark ages. Modern soft contact lenses adhere very smoothly to the cornea, and they do not dislodge unexpectedly.
Do you have questions about how to care for your contact lenses? Or is it time to schedule your regular eye exam to see if your contact prescription is still correct? Give us a call at Wilkinson Eye Center, (248) 334-4931, to schedule your appointment.
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