| 1) |
Is it
possible to get contact lenses that will change my eye
color? |
|
Tinted
lenses are available to enhance or change eye color. |
|
Related
Article: Tinted
Contacts |
| 2) |
Disposable lenses are supposed to be discarded after
a single use. Can I continue to wear your lenses if they are
still comfortable after the recommended wearing
period? |
|
Lenses
should not be worn for longer than the recommended wearing
period. The purpose of replacing contact lenses on a frequent
basis is to prevent discomfort, dryness, blurred vision and
allergic reactions that can result from a build-up of protein
and lipid deposits on the lenses. As the deposits age and
chemically change on the lens, they contribute to these
irritations. The changes in the chemical composition of the
deposits also increase the probability that bacteria may
adhere to a contact lens, increasing the health risk even
without any subjective deterioration in comfort. Check with
your eye care practitioner for the lenses and lens replacement
frequency that are most appropriate for you |
|
Related
Article: Disposable
vs Conventional |
| 3) |
I have
dry eye problems. Can I wear contact lenses? |
|
You're less
likely to have success with contact lenses than someone who
does not have this condition. This does not mean that you
cannot wear contact lenses at all. It simply means you may
have a shorter contact lens wearing period than normal or that
you may choose to wear your lenses only occasionally. You can
increase the comfort of your lenses by inserting eye
lubrication drops. As always, it is best to consult your eye
care practitioner for the best advice regarding whether you
should wear contact lenses and what type of lenses may be
suitable. |
|
Related
Article: Dry
Eye |
| 4) |
Which
type of contact lens is best for me? |
|
Each
individual is different, although there are some broad
guidelines that may be followed. If you are interested in
initial comfort, soft contact lenses may suit you better than
rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. On the other hand, RGP
lenses tend to last longer. However, it is easier for dust to
get behind RGP lenses, causing irritation and
discomfort |
|
Related
Article: Are
Contacts For You? |
| 5) |
I wear
contacts only occasionally, at most once or twice a week.
Which type of contact lens may be best for me? |
|
Adapting to
contact lens wear is more difficult when lenses are worn only
occasionally. Generally, however, a soft hydrophilic lens is
more appropriate for occasional wear. Comfort is better from
the outset and adapting is easier. Ask your eye care
practitioner about lenses that best meet your specific
requirements. |
| 6) |
My doctor
told me I couldn't wear regular contact lenses for presbyopia.
Why not? |
|
Presbyopia
is a vision condition in which the eye cannot focus on near
objects. In most cases, reading glasses or bifocal glasses are
prescribed to correct presbyopia. But contact lenses can be
prescribed also. Special bifocal contact lenses are available,
but success rates can be variable, and bifocals are generally
more expensive. As an alternative, many practitioners
prescribe a system called monovision where one eye is fitted
with a distance lens and the other with a reading lens.
Approximately two-thirds of patients adapt to this type of
contact lens wear, with the brain automatically switching to
the eye more clearly in focus. |
|
Related
Article: Boomers
without Bifocals |
| 7) |
Wearing
contact lenses while traveling by plane can be uncomfortable.
Why, and what can be done to lessen the
discomfort? |
|
The low
humidity in aircraft cabins contributes to dry eye symptoms
and contact lens discomfort. It may help to put lubrication
drops in your eyes before you enter the airplane or during
flight. If symptoms persist or become severe, it is probably
easiest and best to wear eyeglasses when flying. |
| 8) |
Can
contact lenses be "blinked" out? |
|
With normal
use, contact lenses will stay firmly in position. However,
they can come out under certain conditions. High winds can
cause the eyes to water and pull the eyelid tight against the
eye, increasing the chance of lens loss. A sharp blow to the
head may dislodge rigid gas permeable lenses. And rubbing your
eye carelessly may result in a lost lens. Describe to your eye
care practitioner all of the circumstances in which you are
likely to wear your contact lenses. This will help him or her
prescribe a type of lens that is less likely to be dislodged
given your activities. |
| 9) |
Is it OK
to swim while wearing contact lenses? |
|
Only if
you're wearing goggles with a firm seal. If you don't wear
goggles, the contact lenses may float from your eyes and/or
they will absorb the pool water, one consequence of which may
be that they adhere quite firmly to the eye. If this occurs,
it is advisable to leave the lenses alone for 10-15 minutes
until the water in them has been replaced by natural tears
before trying to remove them. Exposing your contacts to pool
water also places you at risk of discomfort due to chlorine
and infection from bacteria or other microorganisms. |
| 10) |
Is it OK
to play sports while wearing contact lenses? |
|
Wearing
contact lenses for sports is a more flexible and stable form
of eye correction than eyeglasses. If your sport involves
vigorous exercise, a soft contact lens is an appropriate
choice. Your eye care practitioner can help determine the best
type of lenses based on your sport or activity. |
|
Related
Article: Protecting
Your Eyes From Sports Injuries |
| 11) |
Which
type of lens care system is best? |
|
Recently,
there has been a strong movement to "one-bottle" systems.
These all-in-one solutions are the easiest and quickest to
use. However, if you are particularly sensitive to chemicals,
it may be better to use a hydrogen peroxide system. In most
countries, lens care systems go through rigorous testing to
meet government regulations to ensure that they are safe and
effective. Your eye care practitioner will recommend the care
system most appropriate for you. You should not make your own
lens care solutions, nor should you mix different brands of
solutions unless instructed by your eye care
practitioner. |
| 12) |
Is it
necessary to use protein remover tablets in additions to my
normal daily cleaning procedure? |
|
The need to
use protein remover tablets depends on the amount of protein
deposits your eyes produce and how often you replace your
lenses. Protein deposits are normal. But as they age, they can
change in chemical composition, contributing to discomfort and
poor vision or leading to allergies. If these deposits become
a problem, your eye care practitioner may recommend a type of
contact lens that you replace more frequently. Depending on
the replacement frequency, using a protein remover in addition
to your daily cleaning regimen may not be necessary.
Regardless of your lens replacement schedule, however, daily
cleaning is important for eye health. Consult your eye care
practitioner for the best advice regarding your replacement
and cleaning schedules. |
| 13) |
Can my
contact lens be "lost" behind my eye? |
|
No, a thin,
but strong, membrane, called the conjunctiva, lines the inside
of your eyelids and curls back on itself to cover the white
part of the eye. Lenses cannot pass through it. However, your
contact lenses may slide under your eyelids or become
displaced. If this occurs, try looking in the direction of the
lens to get it to move back to the correct position. If you
wear soft contact lenses, they will tend to center
automatically on the cornea. If you wear rigid gas permeable
lenses, you may need to manipulate a displaced lens through
the eyelid. |
| 14) |
Can
contact lenses block ultraviolet light? |
|
Although
some manufacturers have added UV blocking properties to some
lenses, none block all of the harmful UV light. Health
organizations state that contact lenses are not a substitute
for UV absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing sunglasses in
part because contact lenses cover only a portion of the eye.
It is recommended to wear UV absorbing sunglasses over your
prescription contact lenses, even if they contain UV blocking
properties. |
|
Related
Article: Sun
Saftey |
| 15) |
Can
contact lenses be fit if I have had refractive
surgery? |
|
Yes, but the
refractive surgery will have altered the contour of your eyes,
requiring a more specialized lens than normal. It is best to
consult your eye care practitioner who will have details of
your specific history and requirements. |
| 16) |
How often
should contact lenses be changed? |
|
The
recommended life of contact lenses varies depending on the
type of lenses, from 1-day, 1-week, 2-weeks, 1-month, and
longer. With any contact lens, you should follow the
prescribed wear and care instructions that include guidelines
for replacement. |
| 17) |
How do I
know if my contact lenses are 'worn out'? |
|
Typical
signs that a lens is approaching the end of its life are hazy
vision, discomfort, and lens discoloration and deposits. These
can lead to allergies and other complications. Today, frequent
replacement lenses, are prescribed to be replaced before
problems can develop rather than after as sometimes these
complications are difficult to reverse. It is important that
you replace your lenses according to the product labeling or
your eye care practitioner's
directions. |
