A lot of people have misconceptions about contact lenses and how they are meant to work.
Here are some common conversations about contact lenses I have with people - family, friends and patients together with my explanations...
"I don't wear my contacts that much because they are uncomfortable, but I hear contacts are supposed to feel that way"
Guess what? Contact are not supposed to feel uncomfortable. There are some people who can wear certain contacts that they cannot feel in their eyes.
"Well, at my last eye exam, they didn’t give me an option – said this brand is only one they have for me to use"
At many practices – commercial, retail, “big box” places, they often have a particular manufacturer the use a the "go to" lens. This is usually not based on patient comfort but on their profits on the lens. If you are not getting on with the contact lens you have been fit in, then you have every right to ask to be fitted in another lens. You have every right to complain.
"What's the point of contacts when you are only allowed to wear them just a few hours a day?"
No manufacturer prints the exact number of hours you are to wear the contacts. A contact lens is designed to be worn from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. Now with some eye conditions such as dry eye and eye allergies, a patient may not be able to wear them all day. Some contact lenses are designed to be worn on a continuing basis - such as 30 day and night extended wear. With extended wear comes more maintenance and responsibility on the patient's part so it may not suit everyone. Daily replacement is the easiest and there is not cleaning process involved.
"I can't wear contacts. They don't make them in my prescription"
Most all patient can wear contacts - just sometimes you may need a specialty lens not available at just any practice. And certain specialist eye care providers may be able to offer more options that a chain optical. Larger chains and supermarket locations normally stock and carry a limited range of contacts to keep the costs down.
"Can't I just order my contacts online - what's the point of having an EXAM for them?"
A contact lens is a medical device in most countries and can only be fitted and sold by a qualified professional. There are lots of online companies that may let you order your own lenses without checking for the validity of the prescription. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists see the results of poorly fitted contacts' damage to patient's vision. At the least, irritation could occur to the eye’s surface. At the worst, you could lose your sight due to corneal damage. A contact must be properly fitted, vision assessed and checked on a frequent basis to ensure optimum eye health and vision. And remember just because your lenses were fitted once doesn't mean they will always be the best ones for you.
"Kid's can't wear contacts - because their eyes are still growing"
I have fit very young children in contacts for special visual needs in the past. Of course, the responsibility of the parents falls on the parents to handle insertion, removal and disinfection of the lenses. Parents may be a good judge, but often I find children do much better with the contact lens than their parents predicted. In some cases of myopic management (where I try to slow down the progression of short sightedness), a contact lens is the better option versus spectacle lens correction. There is no particular age requirement for contact lens use. And no age you should stop wearing them also!
"I don't need to wash my hands when removing my contacts"
Yes, you do. Wash and dry your hands before inserting and removing your contacts.
Do you have a question about contact lenses and wonder if they're right for you?
Feel free to email in any questions which can be used in future blogs.
At your next eye exam, speak to your eye care provider about the best contact lens options for you and your specific vision needs.
