The lens in your eye can only adjust so much in an effort to bring objects into focus. When the eye can’t focus properly, there are four basic conditions that may be the cause. These are called refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia). Luckily, all are correctible with contact lenses or spectacles. Most of these refractive errors are a result of heredity.
Nearsightedness (Myopia). This occurs when the eyeball is too long for the lens’s focal capacity. The patient’s cornea and lens focus the image of a distant object in front of the retina, so vision is blurry except when looking at nearby objects. Myopia affects one quarter of the world and seems to be on the rise, though it’s a mystery why. Most contact lens wearers are myopes. Read the rest of this entry »
Contact lenses float on a layer of tears that covers the cornea and are held in place by surface tension. Soft lenses ride on a thinner layer of tears than hard lenses. The front and back surfaces of contact lenses serve different functions. The back surface is designed to fit the contour of the cornea itself as closely as possible to make the lens fit comfortably and, in the case of a hard lens, to provide a new, round, smooth surface. The front surface is designed to fit your prescription, which corrects your refractive error. How well your eyes are examined and measured, and how closely the contact lenses‘ size, fit, and shape come to these measurements are, therefore, very important factors in how successfully you’ll be wearing your lenses. Everything is done with highly sophisticated and accurate optical instruments, in combination with a contact lens practitioner’s experience and knowledge. Read the rest of this entry »
By now you’re probably sold on the idea of contacts. They seem to be the answer to all your prayers. Before you throw away your glasses and plunk down your hard-earned cash, remember: To get any contact lens is easy. To get the right contact lens for your eyes requires motivation, choosing a qualified eye practitioner, and having the commitment to follow the instructions for the care and handling of your valuable investment. Wearing contact lenses is in some ways like owning and driving a car. Though it undoubtedly makes life easier and more pleasant, you also will need to find a parking space, get the car inspected and registered, and be able to maintain it and handle it reasonably well in order to get the most out of it. Not everyone is a skilled or responsible driver, or is willing to spend the time and money a car requires. It’s estimated that 99 percent of those who want contacts can wear them if fitted by an expert. But lenses aren’t for everyone. How do you know you’re not in that 1 percent who doesn’t qualify? Just keep the following points in mind. Read the rest of this entry »
I have personally examined many patients who bought “bargain lenses.” A great number of these were wearing poorly fitting contact lenses that caused poor vision and in some cases eye irritation. Not only did they have to discard those lenses and suffer a loss of money, but some had potentially serious eye problems related to those lenses. In the words of one (now) satisfied wearer: “I only paid eighty-nine dollars for my soft lenses, but I had to go back five times with additional cost for refitting before they managed to find a comfortable lens for my right eye. In between visits I was in agony because the lens in that eye didn’t fit right. Read the rest of this entry »
There are three types of eye professionals who, by law, are qualified to fit contact lenses: ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Unfortunately, most people aren’t sure of the differences among them.
This is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of the eye. He or she prescribes whatever eye treatment you may need, including prescriptions for glasses and the fitting of contact lenses. All ophthalmologists can provide a prescription for glasses and contact lenses; half of them also specialize in fitting contact lenses. Ophthalmologists spend a minimum of eight years training after college: After four years of general medical study at an approved medical school, they then spend an additional one to two years in general internship, and at least three more years in special ophthalmologic residency training at an approved hospital. Read the rest of this entry »
Since contact lenses rest directly—and nearly invisibly—on a thin layer of tears over the cornea, there are many advantages:
You Look Better.This is the greatest single reason people switch from glasses to contacts. There are no unflattering frames to obscure and change the appearance of your face, nor thick lenses to enlarge or diminish your eyes. Contact lenses have been called “invisible glasses” that allow the natural beauty of your eyes, eyelids, and eyelashes to be seen by everyone, and you’ll be able to communicate better with them. Read the rest of this entry »
Contact Lenses Care .
