Diopter lens, are you curious about what contact lenses are and how to be sure that you have chosen the right one for you? In the text that follows, you will learn more about what types of contact lenses exist, how to take care of them, whether contact lenses are a better choice than glasses and why, and whether contact lenses can cause certain health problems .
It is very important to take care of our vision for the simple reason that we mostly rely on vision which is our most dominant sense. It is precisely for this reason that we need to regularly check our vision and, if necessary, use aids such as contact lenses that will help us improve it.
There are numerous interventions that can help us reduce the need for vision correction, so we have prescription glasses , eye drops, and finally, contact lenses, which in the last few years are more popular than ever. If you are thinking about whether to use prescription glasses or contact lenses , we will do our best to answer all the questions you may have when it comes to lenses, and in this way we may help you make a final decision.
What are contact lenses?
Contact lenses are thin, rounded lenses placed on a tear film that cover the surface of your eye. The lenses themselves are naturally transparent, but often have a barely noticeable tint just to make them easier to handle. Nowadays, there are hard and soft contact lenses, but mostly the latter is worn, and not too much time has passed since contact lenses were made using the glass blowing technique.
A brief history of contact lenses
Although most of us think of contact lenses as a modern addition to the eye care landscape, they actually have a long tradition dating back to Leonardo da Vinci and René Descartes. However, it was not until the end of the 19th century that a German glassblower made a see-through lens that was reasonably tolerant of wear, and a German ophthalmologist was the first to invent the first lens that could be worn for several hours at a time.
Types of contact lenses
Contact lenses can be divided into two basic categories, according to how long they are worn and what condition of the eye they correct.
Regarding the first division, we divide daily, monthly or multi-month contact lenses . Each wearing pattern has a different kind of appeal. Daily contact lenses have recently become very popular because they are very suitable for maintenance when it comes to hygiene, because they are changed daily and there is no obligation towards them. Monthly contact lenses can be worn for up to 30 days, but it is recommended to remove them before going to bed.
When it comes to the division according to the type of correction, we have toric and multifocal lenses .
Toric contact lenses are shaped in a special way, standard lenses are spherical in shape, while torus is a geometric shape that looks like a doughnut. Toric contact lenses are shaped like the side of a donut, if you know what we mean. The shape of toric contact lenses creates different refractive or focusing abilities when it comes to vertical and horizontal orientation. Their main feature is that their refractive power gradually increases or decreases as you move around the lens.
Toric lenses correct problems with astigmatism that arise due to the different curvature of the cornea or lens in the eye.
Multifocal contact lenses are made to target vision at different distances, and in simpler terms, they are contact lenses that have different diopters in them. They are recommended for people with presbyopia because they also help with vision correction caused by age.
Glasses or contact lenses – what to choose and why?
When it comes to choosing between contact lenses and glasses, it all comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, what you feel more comfortable with, and aesthetics.
Before you make your final decision, keep in mind that one is not necessarily better than the other and that there are pros and cons to both. When it comes to glasses, they are a better choice if you don’t want to bother with maintenance because they require only the most basic cleaning of the lenses, and the costs are lower because you will change them less often than contact lenses. Likewise, glasses have one ability that contact lenses do not, which is that they can adjust the amount of light reaching the eye for optimal comfort and vision.
On the other hand, the lenses are worn directly on the eye so that vision, especially the perfirical one, is completely undisturbed. Contact lenses give you the opportunity to participate in sports activities without any problems, and you also have the option to change the color of your eyes with them because there are also colored contact lenses .
The point of the story is that you should choose a vision correction product based on your lifestyle and habits.
How to take care of contact lenses?
If you have already decided on contact lenses, it is very important that you know how to properly maintain them and thus preserve the health of your eyes. The maintenance method depends on the type of lenses you have. One-day lenses require the least maintenance, while conventional lenses have the most obligations . These are some steps that you must not skip if you have multi-day lenses.
Before handling the lenses, wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure they are mild soaps that have no added perfumes, oils or lotions.
Dry your hands well after washing.
If you use hairspray, be sure to spray it before putting in the lenses.
Apply makeup after putting in your lenses, and remove them before removing your makeup.
Some lenses require special care and maintenance products. Always use the disinfectant, eye drops and cleaners recommended by your ophthalmologist. Some eye products are not safe to use if you wear contact lenses.
Never rinse your lenses with plain tap water. Even distilled water can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause infection and harm the eye.
Never put the lenses in your mouth to clean them with saliva.
Wash contact lenses by gently rubbing them with your index finger while holding them in the middle of your palm.
Wash the lenses after every use, without exception, soak them in maintenance water, and change the case every three months.
Wear your lenses responsibly
Experts say that the contact lenses that are safest to wear are those that are changed every day. In any case, before deciding on the type of lenses, it is important to consult with an ophthalmologist.
- You wear the lenses every day as long as your doctor advises you to do so.
- Never put in someone else’s lenses, especially if they have already been worn.
- Do not sleep with lenses.
- Do not touch other surfaces with the top of the bottle containing the maintenance and disinfection agent.
- Wear safety glasses or a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun and have contact lenses.
- If you happen to put the lens upside down, you won’t damage your eye, but that’s why you should lay them on your palm before putting them on your eye, so that they form a natural shape.
- If it becomes irritated, remove the lens immediately and do not use it until you consult your doctor. If you continue to wear lenses after the irritation occurs, there is a chance of infection.
- Do not swim with lenses. If you already decide to swim with contact lenses, be sure to wear glasses, but then there will be a chance of getting a serious eye infection.
Can contact lenses cause certain health problems?
Contact lenses undoubtedly make life easier because you no longer have to worry about your glasses, whether they will get scratched or if you forget them somewhere. If you notice even the slightest problem or discomfort in your eye, the first thing you need to do is remove it.
Symptoms that indicate something is wrong:
- Blurred vision
- Stinging, itching, pain
- Eye discharge
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes more than usual
- Redness
Just some of the problems that can be caused by contact lenses are eye infection, hypoxia – a condition during which the cornea receives less oxygen from the air than it should due to the lens, conjunctivitis and dry eye.
It is very important to get lenses that fit you perfectly in shape and size. Sometimes it happens that you have to try several different lenses in order to choose the best one for you.
In any case, before making the final selection, consult with an ophthalmologist, but also with experts in optics.
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