Contact Lens Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I wear contacts when I participate in sports, work out, etc.?
Athletes of all kinds have discovered the advantages of wearing
contacts when participating in sports or working out. Contacts don't
steam up from perspiration, don't smudge and don't get foggy if
you go from cold to warm temperatures. They provide better depth
perception and peripheral vision. Today's close-fitting contacts
stay on your eyes, even during vigorous activity.
There are so many different solutions on the market. Can I substitute
another brand for the one I am currently using?
Your eyecare professional will recommend contact lenses, contact
lens care procedures and solutions specifically designed for your
particular eye condition. Don't switch without consulting your eyecare
professional. Click here for complete information on solutions.
Is it OK to order contacts online?
While e-commerce may provide timesaving conveniences for those
with hectic lifestyles, it is important to remember that contact
lenses are a medical device that require proper fitting, wear and
care, and proper monitoring by an eyecare professional. It is therefore
critical that certain guidelines are adhered to when ordering contacts
online.
- Continue your regular eye-health screenings by an eyecare professional
- Check and double-check the order for any typing errors before
you submit it
- Do not request or accept a substitute for the prescribed lens
without checking with your eyecare practitioner
- Check the expiration date on the product immediately upon receipt
of order
- Make sure your prescription is current and has not expired before
placing your order. A legitimate distributor should confirm this
with every order.
- Finally, if a problem results from the order, visit your eyecare
professional immediately.
What is the average cost of contact lenses?
It is difficult to determine an "average cost" for contact
lenses, as there are many variables that can affect the cost. These
variables include the type of lenses you require, your lens care
and replacement plan, and the eyecare professional's service and
examination fees. Any or all of these variables may be fully or
partially covered under your individual insurance plan. Contact
your eyecare professional for prices on specific types of lenses.
Will I still need my glasses or contacts after laser surgery?
Very possibly. Read the small print in the laser surgery ads. Only
a small percentage of patients who undergo the operation achieve
20/20 vision. And laser surgery can do nothing to correct presbyopia,
which hits nearly everyone by age 40, and usually requires contact
lenses or reading glasses to correct. Click here for more on presbyopia.
What's the difference between daily-wear and extended-wear lenses?
Daily-wear contact lenses are designed to be removed each day for
cleaning or replacement, and should be taken out before you sleep
or nap. Depending on your particular eye condition and other important
factors, extended-wear lenses can be prescribed for overnight wear
from one day to as many as seven before they are removed. Extended-wear
lenses can also be prescribed for removal each day for cleaning
and slept in occasionally when special circumstances arise. Eyecare
professionals consider many variables in deciding between daily-wear
and extended-wear lenses for each person's needs.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or osteopath) uniquely
trained to diagnose and treat all disorders of the eye. An ophthalmologist
is trained in all aspects of eyecare--medical, surgical and optical.
An optometrist (OD) is a state-licensed healthcare professional
who diagnoses and treats eye health and vision problems. An OD prescribes
glasses, contact lenses, engages in low vision rehabilitation and
vision therapy, and, in some states, can prescribe ophthalmic medications
and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists hold the doctor
of optometry (OD) degree.
An optician is a paramedical professional who manufactures and
dispenses eyeglasses and helps in the selection of frames. The optician
may also dispense and/or fit contact lenses, depending on individual
states' licensing practices.
What are disposable lenses, frequent and planned replacement lenses?
A growing number of people now wear disposable soft lenses, which
can be worn for either a single day or up to 14, depending on the
wear schedule prescribed by the eyecare professional. Disposable
lenses are usually prescribed in multi-packs, providing several
weeks' supply at a time.
Frequent and planned replacement lenses are lenses that are replaced
on a planned schedule, most often monthly, quarterly or biannually.
What types of vision problems can contact lenses correct?
Contact lenses can correct most vision conditions, including nearsightedness
and farsightedness. They can also correct an astigmatism (irregularly
shaped cornea) and presbyopia (also known as "aging eye")
that affects nearly everyone as they grow older. It's estimated
that nearly 71 million Americans have astigmatism to some degree
and 77 million Americans are affected by presbyopia. Today's lenses
and lens fitting techniques can help many of these people.
Are contact lenses covered by insurance?
It is likely that your contact lenses are included in an eyecare
insurance plan, but it is best to contact your insurance provider/administrator
to determine you individual coverage.
Can I wear contacts while I am pregnant?
Vision may become slightly impaired or altered during pregnancy
due to hormonal changes, dry eyes, and water retention. Moms-to-be
may experience increased eye dryness, blurred or distorted vision,
spots or even hemorrhages in the eye. If any of the symptoms occur,
contact your eyecare professional and obstetrician. Expectant mothers
who require vision correction but are experiencing vision changes
may want to consider disposable contacts, as these allow your prescription
to be modified on a regular basis at a lower overall cost than some
other lenses. Some pregnant women should limit the number of hours
per day that they wear contact lenses, due to possible eye changes,
while some expectant mothers should not wear lenses at all. An eyecare
professional can help you make these decisions. Most pregnant women
find that their vision returns to normal soon after delivery.
What are "therapeutic" contact lenses?
Advances in materials technology and better understanding of the
eye's needs in health and disease have enabled the development of
soft and rigid lenses to aid in protecting and helping a sick eye
to heal. A variety of conditions may be treated and in some cases,
even cured in this manner. These unique lenses are frequently combined
with precise medication delivery schedules to help heal the eye.
Do people experience discomfort or pain when using contact lenses?
Most first time wearers are delighted with the level of comfort
that contact lenses provide. Initial contact lens fittings by professional
eyecare practitioners can minimize or eliminate any irritation associated
with new lenses. After a brief adjustment period, most people report
they can no longer feel contact lenses on their eyes.
I have 20/20 vision, but I wish my eyes were green. Do I need a
prescription for colored lenses?
You don't have to have vision problems to wear colored contacts.
Some people simply want to change their eye color, as colored contacts
can be great fun. It is essential, however, that contact lenses
be professionally prescribed and fitted. Contact lenses are an FDA-regulated
medical device.
Contact lenses that do not fit correctly or are used in an eye
other than the prescribed eye can cause serious eye problems, potentially
resulting in permanent eye damage.
How do tinted contact lenses work?
Today's tinted soft lenses offer the fun of enhancing or changing
your eye color. The color is seen on your eye, but does not affect
the color of things you see. Enhancing tints give drama and added
color to existing eye color, and come in a variety of colors including
aqua, blue, green, brown, amber, and violet. Opaque tints cover
the natural color of the iris, making the eye appear a completely
different color (such as blue over a brown iris). The wearer sees
through a clear area in the center of the lens while showing the
world a different eye color. There are even visibility tints, which
are lenses that are lightly tinted to make them easy to find but
which don't change the color of your eyes. RGP lenses are only available
in clear and visibility tints. Some types of lenses also offer additional
ultraviolet-radiation absorption properties.
Are there different types of bifocal contact lenses?
Yes, there are many different ways to correct presbyopia and other
vision needs with bifocal contact lenses.
Is age 7 too young for our daughter to wear contacts? She keeps
breaking (or hiding) her glasses.
It is important for an eyecare professional to assess a young patient's
vision correction needs and to discuss his or her capabilities and
maturity level with both the patient and the parents when considering
contacts. Personal wear and care regimens may depend upon the type
of contact prescribed, the nature of the vision problem being corrected,
and the patient's unique eye chemistry. There are no hard and fast
rules here--so much depends on the responsibility level of the young
patient.
Do contact lenses offer protection from ultraviolet rays?
Certain contact lenses have ultraviolet inhibitors built into the
lens material. Sunglasses should still be worn for protection from
the sun's harmful rays. Check with your eyecare professional to
determine which lenses have ultraviolet inhibitors, and whether
these contacts are right for you.
Is there any information available about contact lenses that can
correct color blindness?
While they can not "cure" color blindness, there are
lenses available that can enhance the ability to distinguish colors.
Contact your eyecare professional if you suffer from color blindness
and are interested in these contact lenses.
Which manufacturer makes what lens?
The Contact Lens Council is a non-profit organization serving as
an educational resource on vision correction for consumers and is
devoted to promoting the safe use of contact lenses. Advisory members
of the CLC include the American Optometric Association, Contact
Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, and the Contact Lens Society
of America. While contact lens manufacturers do indeed sponsor the
CLC, we are not involved at all in the manufacturing or sale of
contact lenses. For specific information on contact lenses, it is
best to contact a manufacturer directly.
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