Contact Lenses Care

Q: Why is it harmful to rub the eyes while wearing contact lenses, even soft ones?

A: There are several reasons: (1) Because of the aforementioned blepharoptosis, (2) because an abrasion may occur, and (3) because of the possible introduction of bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Q: How many hours a day can I expect to wear contact lenses?

A: That depends upon the lens and your eyes. Most people are eventually able to wear their lenses most of their waking hours: about eight hours for hard-lens wearers and fourteen hours for soft-lens wearers. But every pair of eyes is unique. Some people can wear their lenses for only four hours a day; some can go for as long as eighteen hours, though this is not a good idea unless you break up the time with a rest period. This method can be used by anyone to effectively extend wearing time: Remove your lenses and let the eyes rest for fifteen or twenty minutes. This gives them a new lease on life, and lets you wear your lenses late at night after a long day at the office.

Q: But what if I want to wear contacts just for special occasions?

A: This can only be done if you wear soft lenses or gas-permeable lenses. Once you’ve adapted to hard lenses, you should wear them every day for the same number of hours. Otherwise the eye will “unadapt” and the lenses will become uncomfortable. Soft and gas-permeable lenses are less demanding where adaptation is concerned, and you can safely and comfortably wear them intermittently—for the weekend softball game, your triweekly jog, or just for social events.

Q: Is there an age barrier in contact lens wear?

A: Theoretically speaking, no. I have fitted infants and ninetyyear-olds with contact lenses, and every age in between. One of my patients is in her seventies and has been wearing contact lenses . . . a true pioneer! Infants wear contact lenses not out of vanity, but for therapeutic visual reasons.

Teen-agers adapt to contact lenses very quickly, a testimony to the importance of motivation and the role that improved appearance plays in successful contact lens wear. Puberty may herald marked changes in refractive errors; therefore these youngsters should be examined at least twice a year.

Though contact lenses can be worn at any age, eager parents should wait until a child is ready to use them. The child should be motivated, versed in hygiene, mature enough to accept the responsibility for caring for the lenses, and have the necessary motor skills for handling these tiny, delicate lenses. This usually occurs around the age of twelve. In certain cases parents may be taught to insert and remove the lenses for those too young to have the manual dexterity to do so themselves.

Q: If my prescription seems to change frequently, can I still wear contact lenses? Won’t it be more expensive than changing the prescription of my eyeglasses?

A: Unless a medical contraindication exists, there is no reason you cannot wear contact lenses—even if the prescription changes frequently. The cost of the new contact lenses usually is comparable to that of new spectacle lenses. In fact changes of spectacles may prove to be the more expensive of the two.

Q: Is there some magic formula for being able to wear contact lenses successfully?

A: Yes, in a way. And there are three ingredients:

1. The eye practitioner. Select an expert eye practitioner who specializes in contact lenses. An ophthalmologist or optometrist in private practice is your best choice. With proper medical care, you’ll be most likely to wear your contact lenses comfortably and without damaging your eyes. Don’t forget: you get what you pay for. Unfortunately there are a multitude of unhappy contact lens wearers who bought “bargain lenses” and then discovered that they were no bargain at all.

2. Motivation. Depending upon the type of lens and your own unique physiology, contact lens wear brings some initial discomfort. You must be sufficiently motivated to tolerate this initial adaptation period, as well as any little difficulties that may crop up later.

3. Follow instructions! Many unsuccessful contact lens wearers simply didn’t take care of their lenses and eyes properly. The result is reduced lens life, wearing discomfort, poor vision, and possible eye injury.

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• Extended-Wear Soft Contact Lenses, Wearing Glasses while you sleep
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