 Can anyone wear contact lenses? With all of the advances in technology in eye care almost, everyone can wear contact lenses. Today there are astigmatism-correcting, bifocal, daily disposable and extended wear lenses available. Are contact lenses good for my eyes? Can they cause damage to the cornea? Over the years contacts have proven to be a healthy vision correction option, however it is important that you maintain regularly scheduled eye exams so that your prescription stay up to date and so that we can make sure you maintain a healthy cornea. Also, it is extremely important to follow all of the steps in the care, cleaning, insertion and removal of your contacts. How old do you have to be to wear contact lenses? There is no set age at which contact lens wear can begin. With proper vision correction need identified, contact lens wear is a viable option as early as 10 years of age. Is it okay to wear contacts while playing sports? Actually, sports vision care doctors support the use of contact lenses for athletes, due to contact lenses’ ability to enhance depth perception, peripheral vision and eye-hand coordination. They’re also comfortable and stay in place moreso than glasses. They are also easily worn beneath protective eyewear. Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism? Yes. There are several lenses available for those with astigmatism. There are both gas permeable and soft contact lens options. We encourage you to schedule a consultation or eye exam with Beach Eye Care to discuss the different treatment options for astigmatism. Aren’t soft contacts better than gas permeable lenses (GP)? Not necessarily. Only through consultation with your optometrist, will you be able to determine the best lens for you. While soft contacts are a perfect option for many, there are eye conditions in which gas permeable lenses are the preferred option. Overall advances in contacts give wearers sharper vision, better corneal health and more ease in caring for lenses than in the past. Can I get the contacts that will change my eye color? There are color altering contacts available, even if you don’t have a vision correction need. They are, however, still a prescribed medical device that must be fitted for by an eye care professional, and as such should never be shared with anyone. Sharing contact lenses can cause dangerous health problems. Can I see an optometrist to get contacts or do I need to see an ophthalmologist? Either choice is appropriate. An Optometrist (Doctors of Optometry, or O.D.s) performs eye exams, prescribes vision corrections, treats eye disease, fits contacts and dispenses eyeglasses. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.s) who specialize in eye conditions and concentrate on eye surgery and treatment of disease. Beach Eye Care’s staff includes Drs. Neatrour and Jain, both board certified ophthalmologists; Drs. Lipton, Dunn and Tang, board certified optometrists, who perform our contact lens care. Are contact lenses expensive? The cost of your lenses depends on the nature of your vision correction problem as well as the type of contact lens most appropriate for you. The range of costs vary greatly from fairly high-cost daily disposables to GP contacts though higher in initial cost, may actually last longer and yield the greatest value. We can explain in detail the difference in lenses and pricing and together determine what is best for you. Can I sleep in contact lenses? Whether you can sleep in them depends on the type of lens you wear, your tear production, eye health, as well as other factors. GP contact lenses and certain soft lenses can be slept in, but again, Beach Eye Care can instruct you in all of the proper wear and care procedures when you are fitted for your lenses. |
