Contact Lenses: Are They Right for You?

Contact lenses have become the way to go for people with eye issues needing correction. But did you know that plastic lenses were developed in 1936 by New York Optometrist William Feinbloom? Moving forward to 1960, Czech Ophthalmologist Otto Wichterle designed the first gas permeable (GP) soft lens we wear today. Since then, their popularity as an alternative to eyeglasses has been well established. But popularity aside, are they right for you?
Some people see contacts as a natural addition to their daily lives; others find them difficult to put in and uncomfortable. Older people admit their preference for glasses to hide the visible signs of age. The truth is, contacts or no contacts is a matter of preference, one based on a variety of factors beyond aesthetics. While a no-glasses look may seem an attractive alternative, there is more to consider.

Contacts: The Pros

There are several reasons to use contact lenses, including:

• They produce a more “natural” field of vision. Because they sit on the surface of your eyes and move with them, contact lenses provide seamless vision correction.
• Offer freedom of movement during activities and sports. When glasses might fly off your face, contact lenses stay put.
• Don’t stand out on your face. Contacts won’t clash with an otherwise perfectly matching ensemble, and they won’t block other people’s view of your expertly applied eye makeup and lashes.
• Enable you to change your eye color. If you’ve ever wanted to see what you look like with a differently colored iris, contacts can make that happen.
• Allow you to wear a variety of non-prescription sunglasses.
• Losing or replacing them is cheaper than glasses.

Contacts: The Cons

Reasons to not wear contact lenses include:

• Requires discipline in their care, replacement, cleaning, and storage. Contact lenses are stored in solution inside a case at night and must be cleaned before and after you wear them.
• Putting in, taking out, and wearing contacts can take some getting used to. New users often report difficulty in finding dropped contacts.
• Using contact lenses improperly can lead to eye health issues.
• Exacerbates the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Wearing certain contacts while working at the computer boosts your chances of experiencing screen-related eye strain.

Dry Eye

Among frequent complaints from contact, users are those who experience dry eye. While dry eye syndrome (DES) is common among both contact lens wearers and non-wearers, the symptoms for contact users can be severe and even disruptive to their vision. Before choosing contacts, consult your eye doctor to determine whether or not they are right for you.

Scleral Lens

This relatively new contact technology is larger in diameter rigid gas permeable lenses that rest on the white (scleral) part of the eye. The sclera has considerably fewer nerve endings than the cornea, which means less sensitivity and a more comfortable fit. The lenses are comfortable for dry eye sufferers and are especially beneficial for people with corneal disease.

Who Should Not Wear Contacts?

Many doctors do not recommend contacts for intense nearsightedness, those with severe allergies, or those in advanced age.

Get Your Sight Right, New York

Dr. Craig Beyer comes to the New York area as one of the first 10 doctors in the country authorized to perform LASIK surgery by the FDA. He has personally performed over 15,000 surgeries. His experience in all corrective surgeries and knowledge of advanced eye care has been noted by top Ophthalmology Publications nationwide.
If you live in New York or the surrounding areas and are considering LASIX surgery, experiencing eye issues, or need professional advice on contacts versus glasses, call us now at 877-274-1797 to schedule a free consultation.