Contact Lenses

The soft contact lens was introduced back in 1971 and has been improved upon ever since. Today there are many types of soft contact lenses to choose from, including soft hydrophilic lenses, and just about everyone can benefit from their comfort and convenience. Soft contact lenses are easy to care for, easy to take in and out, and are a bit larger than the iris, or the colored part of the eye.

Many eye care professionals recommend disposable soft contact lenses for their ease of use and hygienic benefits. Since the lenses are discarded on a regular basis, there's less time for proteins and lipids to build up and impair vision. There are disposable soft contact lenses that are meant to be worn for as long as 30 days and some that are to be discarded after a week or two, while others are to be replaced daily.

The tinted or colored soft contact lens is used for cosmetic purposes to change the color of the eye, or to improve contrast and definition while participating in sports such as golf or baseball. Some lenses are also tinted so they are easier to handle, but the quality of vision remains clear and unchanged.

How to care for soft contact lenses

It's imperative to faithfully wash your hands with soap and warm water prior to handling the delicate soft contact lens or the equally delicate surface of your eye. Not only should hands be free from germs and dirt, but also from make-up, soaps, and lotions as these can blur or even damage vision. Hands should then be dried on a clean, lint-free towel.

Never use plain tap or distilled water to clean or rinse your contacts. Microorganisms can live in any liquid that is not sterilized and possibly cause serious eye infections.

Lenses should be thoroughly cleaned after each use and the frequency of cleanings that are recommended by an eye care specialist or the lens manufacturer should be strictly adhered to. Soft contact lenses should be cleaned by rubbing gently with your index finger using the recommended cleaning solution and then rinsed clean. If using a "no rub" solution, simply rinse the lenses, replace the storage solution, and tightly close the lens case.

To keep eyes well lubricated and free from redness and irritation, use a saline or rewetting solution that is approved for your type of contacts. The solution should be one that is commercially made and sterile.

Never sleep while wearing a soft contact lens unless it is a special extended wear type of lens that's specifically designed for long-term wear. These lenses are permeable and allow oxygen to pass through, keeping the cornea and the surface of the eye healthy.

Never wear another person's contacts whether they've been worn yet or not. Everyone's prescriptions and measurements, such as the curvature and diameter of the eye, are different, and wearing someone else's contacts can cause vision problems, and also spread bacteria from one person to the next.

Eyes should be examined at least once a year by an eye-care specialist, particularly if wearing contact lenses to check for problems or signs of infection. An eye care professional should be made aware of any special concerns, and also of your family's medical history which will allow them to keep watch for signs of diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.

If you experience any sudden changes in vision after fitting your soft contact lenses, such as vision loss, blurred vision, flashes of light, pain in the eyes, infection, swelling, redness, or irritation should be immediately reported to an eye care professional.

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