There seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there about contact lenses, we want to dispel some of those myths. The following are some of the most common myths about contact lenses.
1. I can’t wear contact lenses.
Have you been told you can’t wear soft contact lenses because you have astigmatism or because you now need reading glasses?
That may have been true in the past, but not today. Thanks to advances in contact lens technology in recent years, just about everyone can wear contacts. For example, there are now multifocal contact lenses for people with presbyopia, and toric soft lenses that correct astigmatism. You may be a better candidate for contact lens wear than you think!
2. I’m too old to wear contact lenses.
Who says? With the advent of bifocal and multifocal contact lenses, and contacts that are specially designed for dry eyes, advancing age is no longer the barrier to successful contact lens wear it once was.
3. Children and teenagers are too young for contact lenses.
There is no age limit on who can or cannot wear contact lenses. Both teenagers and children can wear contact lenses. Research has shown the average age for teenagers to wear contact lenses is 13 but children as young as 8 have also been known to wear them. However, although there are no physical reasons why young people should not wear contact lenses, there is a general concern over whether they are mentally capable of carrying out good lens care practice.
Although contact lenses are fairly easy to use, if a good daily lens care regime is not adhered to, eye infections are inevitable. It is encouraged that only those responsible enough to care for their lenses should wear them, as with any health care product.
Daily disposable contact lenses require less maintenance and are often prescribed to younger users. What ever your decision, it is always recommended to get advice from an eye care professional first. It is also advised to get regular eye check-ups.
4. A contact lens will get lost behind my eye.
Nope! A thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelids, making it impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye.
5. Contact lenses are uncomfortable.
Not true. After a brief adaptation period, most people don’t even notice they’re wearing contact lenses. New advances in contact lens technology allow for thinner and more comfortable lenses. For those who do experience contact lens discomfort, our doctors can assess the cause of the discomfort and offer solutions to improve your contact lens experience.
6. Contact lenses are too much trouble to take care of.
Wrong! With daily disposable lenses there are no solutions, no lens cases, no hassels. These lenses are especially great for teens, allergy sufferers, people with dry eyes and people on the go.
Extended wear contact lenses are an option for those who would like to sleep overnight in their contact lenses. Also available now is one-bottle multi-purpose contact lens solutions which make cleaning and disinfecting your lenses easy.
7. Contact lenses are too expensive.
Not true. Contact lenses can sometimes be less expensive than a good pair of eyeglasses. Even daily disposable contact lenses, once considered a luxury, can cost only about a dollar a day.
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