Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient, and with the latest advancements in technology, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the time, you will hardly know you are wearing them, though you will certainly notice how clear and accurate your vision is. Contact lenses are worn on the surface of the eye, or cornea, to correct vision. Lenses are sometimes worn for cosmetic purposes only. We recommend wearing contact lenses in conjunction with a back up pair of eye glasses. This allows you to best meet your overall lifestyle needs while protecting the integrity of your overall eye health.

We will discuss the option that is best for you. Many patients choose contact lenses for their primary vision correction and glasses as a backup option. Many patients who wear glasses have activities and events where they would rather not wear their glasses and they choose contact lenses for these times.

Contact Lens Types

The types of contact lenses available have exploded in the past few years. The latest Silicone-Hydrogel contact lenses are the healthiest and most breathable lenses on the market. There are contact lenses available for almost everyone. Many or our patients were told in the past that they could not wear contacts, or they tried unsuccessfully to wear contact lenses. You owe it to yourself to see what is new. We carry many options, and promise to do our best in selecting contact lenses that you will love wearing. Choose from the following list for a brief look at some of the options available.

Soft lenses are very comfortable and come in a variety of types, depending on the wearer’s needs. Conventional soft lenses are worn during the day, and cleaned and stored at night. Usually once a week the lenses must be cleaned using an enzymatic cleaner, which removes protein deposits. These lenses can last for a year or more if you take good care of them and your prescription stays the same.

Over the years we have learned that oxygen permeability and the ability of the contact to wet properly is the key to long term successful contact lens wear. Conventional contact lenses (those lenses worn for one year) have been replaced with disposable contact lenses which have now become the most popular type of lens used today due to there beneficial properties. They are prescribed as one day, two week or one month wear lenses. These lenses are worn for the prescribed period of time and then, of course, thrown away. One day disposable contacts are perfect for many patients who were told they could not wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens and are also popular for athletes and hobbyists who do not necessarily want to wear contact lenses every day.

These lenses are similar to conventional soft lenses except that they are replaced more frequently. Oftentimes, they are worn for one-month periods and then replaced. Other frequent replacement soft lens types are worn two to three months before they are replaced. Like conventional soft lenses, they have to be cleaned and stored at night and cleaned once a week with an enzymatic cleaner to remove protein deposits.

Next, you have tinted soft lenses, available in conventional (yearly wear) or disposable types. With tinted soft lenses, you can change or enhance your eye color. Even if you do not need corrective lenses, you can use “plano” colored contacts to change your eye color. It is important to be fitted by an eye doctor for colored contact lenses even if you do not need a prescription; wearing the wrong style can damage your eye.

Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need bifocals can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses.

Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, the only options for those with astigmatism were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. But toric lenses, which are lenses with a special shape, now offer an alternative. There are several types of toric lenses to choose from.

Extended wear lenses, the result of new Silicone-Hydrogel technology in lens materials, transmit more oxygen to the cornea of the eye. Some of these lens materials can be worn up to 30 days, day and night, without removal. Extended wear lenses can last one week, two weeks, or one month, depending upon the lens material and your doctor’s recommendations.

As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you’ve been told you cannot wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.

Contact lenses are prescription medical devices. To make sure your eyes and vision stay healthy while wearing contact lenses, please follow these few guidelines or the instructions recommended by your doctor.

• DO always remove your contact lenses at least one hour before going to bed to allow for proper oxygen nourishment to the cornea.
• DO schedule and keep follow-up appointments with your eye doctor.
• DO wear your contact lenses on the day of your follow-up appointment unless you are experiencing discomfort.
• DO remove lenses before going swimming, using a sauna or hot tub.
• DON’T wear your lenses longer than 12 hours a day until your first follow-up visit with your doctor, unless the doctor has specifically told you otherwise.
• DON’T continue use of contact lenses if your eyes become red, irritated, painful, or if your vision gets worse while wearing lenses. Immediately take out the lenses and clean them. Let your eyes get back to normal and if the problem persists, contact our office.
• DON’T exceed the wearing times suggested, even if your lenses still feel comfortable. Studies have proven that the eye needs time to adapt to contact lenses, and your wearing schedule is based on those studies.

Warning: Ocular complications and/or long-term corneal damage are the consequences of contact lenses that are worn longer than recommended. Oftentimes, your lenses will still feel good even when you are over-wearing them.

Do not wear your lenses overnight unless they are approved for extended wear and your doctor has discussed this with you. Overnight wear increases the risk of infections, corneal ulceration and other complications.

Caring For Your Contacts

Deposits and infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses--etc., can build up on the surface of all contact lenses. For this reason, it is very important to keep them clean and disinfected. Follow the care prescribed for your lenses:

• Cleaning removes dirt, mucous, and other debris that gets on the lenses during wear.
• Disinfecting kills bacteria (germs) on the lenses. Disinfecting is essential to prevent serious eye infections.
• Rinsing removes the other solutions from the lenses and prepares the lenses for wear.

The best way to properly care for your lenses is to develop a care routine, then stick to that routine! Remember to:

• Follow the directions outlined by your eye doctor. Oftentimes instructions are also listed on the packaging or the package insert for the contact lens solutions prescribed for you.
• Multi-purpose solutions can be used for more than one step in contact lens care. Read the label to see which functions the solutions can be used for.
• Many solutions can not be used together, and not all solutions are appropriate for all types of lenses. Only use solutions recommended by your eye doctor, and check with your eye doctor if you want to switch brands.
• When you remove your lenses, they must be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected before they are worn again.
• Lenses that have been stored for more than 12 hours may need to be cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed again.
• Make sure solution containers are kept closed tightly, stored upright, and kept in a clean, dry, cool place when you are not using them. Keep your case clean and replace it every 2-3 months to prevent bacterial growth.
• Don’t touch container bottle tips to any surface to prevent them from becoming contaminated.
• Throw away expired solutions. (Look on the bottle for the expiration date!)
• Use new solution in your contact lenses case every day.
• Only use approved rewetting drops for lubricating or wetting your lenses. Never place the lenses in your mouth.
• Do not use tap water to rinse soft contact lenses.
• Remember contact lenses are like sponges they absorb everything from the environment and your tear film. Be careful with makeup, lotions, creams and sprays. Also, water-based makeup is less likely to damage lenses than oil-based makeup.

Here’s what you need to watch for: Redness, blurriness, light sensitivity. Remove your lenses if you are experiencing any of these 3 things. If your eyes have not returned to normal after 24 hours, please contact our office. If you have any change in vision, comfort, or irritation, immediately remove your lenses. If there is no improvement within a couple of hours, please contact our office.

There are a variety of solutions available from many different manufacturers. The important thing to remember is that not every solution is right for every type of contact lens. Some contact lenses require the use of multipurpose solutions, while others require separate solutions for the four steps in contact lens care: disinfecting, cleaning, rinsing, and enzyming. Use only the lens solutions that are recommended by the eye doctor. If you wish to change brands, check with our office first.