“I know it must sound crazy, but few things in life have ever looked so good to me as the pattern of paint cracks in my bedroom ceiling. That was the very first thing I saw when I opened my eyes the morning after I’d slept while wearing my new extended-wear contact lenses. Seeing those mundane little cracks meant that I really could wear the lenses overnight. It was a dream come true and, in a sense, my life hasn’t been the same since.
Just before I got my new extended-wear lenses, the near-constant presence of big-city dirt and dust under my hard contact lenses had brought me to the verge of giving up lenses completely. I’d been wearing them for over ten years and was mighty tired of the old nightly and morning ritual too. At my next annual exam my doctor realized how unhappy I was and mentioned the availability of a new type of lens that was safe to wear while sleeping. He thought I’d be a good candidate; I nearly swooned with the good news . . . nearly fainted when I heard the price tag. But I decided to make the lenses a birthday present to myself. Read the rest of this entry »
In general extended-wear patients follow similar instructions concerning adaptation and wear as outlined on conventional soft contact lenses. The slight discomfort some experience at first usually disappears in a very short time; vision may fluctuate until the eye adjusts and the lens “settles in.
Other than that there’s almost no adaptation time to speak of. Patients usually go on an extended-wear regimen after one week of daily wear.
Minor symptoms to be on the lookout for are excessive tearing, redness, stinging, burning, itching, blurry vision, halos around lights, and light sensitivity. If any of these occur, remove the lens for at least three hours. If the problem ceases, your lens may be the source of the problem and you should check to see if cracks or chipped or ripped edges are present. Do not reinsert the lens if it is damaged. Put it back in its case and return it to the doctor, who will order a replacement. If you see dirt or an eyelash (or any other foreign matter) use the enzyme solution, clean, and disinfect the lens. Then you may reinsert it. If any of these problems persist, consult your doctor. Read the rest of this entry »
Contact Lenses Care .
