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.
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. Read the rest of this entry »
A: Contact lenses are dangerous if you have a faulty lens, or do not maintain proper ocular hygiene, or don’t follow the recommended wearing and handling procedures. For instance, corneal abrasion can occur when the lens isn’t inserted properly. Corneal edema occurs if you overwear the lens. An eye infection may be caused by fingers or contact lens solutions that are contaminated. And foreign bodies can sneak under the lens and irritate the cornea.
With regard to the vast number of contact lens wearers, though, such complications have been remarkably rare. Read the rest of this entry »
A bandage lens, also called a therapeutic lens, is a special soft, very thin, high-water-content contact lens. In 1974 this hydrophilic lens was the first type to be used on an extended-wear basis, but without incorporating a prescription. It has a wide variety of uses before ocular surgery, after ocular surgery, and sometimes instead of surgery. It can also be therapeutic in conditions that do not respond to any other form of treatment.
The lens functions basically as a protective shield and prevents a damaged or ailing cornea from coming into contact with the eyelids and the air. Healing is thereby accelerated and pain is alleviated for as long as the lens is worn, which is on an extended basis (more than twenty-four hours). Read the rest of this entry »
Contact lenses are, in most cases, a far better solution once the aphake is convinced that the “newfangled” device is worth trying. Advantages are the normal appearance of the eye and crisp visual acuity. Since only 6 percent magnification of objects occurs, the images appear to be of normal size, fusion can take place, and excellent peripheral vision and depth perception will result. Therefore life can go back to normal, the cosmetic effect is far better, and most observers can’t tell that there’s ever been a cataract extraction. 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 that you can wear while you sleep—this earth- shattering concept arouses no less interest and excitement than the Pill did when it was first introduced. This is the glamour lens that everybody wants to know about and have, and is probably the lens of the future. Like the Pill, which forever altered our sexual standards, the extended-wear contact lens promises to usher in a new era and change our attitudes toward visual correction. But the similarity doesn’t end there: Though this lens seems to be the answer to every contact lens wearer’s prayers, it has not yet been perfected. It is definitely not for everyone, and some practitioners are reluctant to prescribe it at all.
Canada, Australia, and Europe enjoyed several types of extended-wear contact lenses several years before we did. However, there is no Food and Drug Administration in those parts of the world, and because of this lack of strict monitoring control and quality, these lenses have posed a health problem, especially as related to corneal complications. Read the rest of this entry »
Contact Lenses Care .
