Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are thin lenses placed directly on surface of eyes . They can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons.
Types of Contact Lenses
Soft Contact Lenses : Made up of HEMA (Hydroxymethacrylate). These Contact Lenses are comfortable and well tolerated . They can be either disposable or non – disposable contact lenses ; clear or coloured ; spherical contact lenses or toric contact lenses ; multifocal contact lenses.
Silicon hydrogel lenses : these are newer type of soft lenses that provide more oxygen to your eye while you wear lenses.
Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses (RGP): RGP Lenses provide better vision , durability and are deposit resistant than soft contact lenses . As they last longer than soft lenses , they can be less expensive in long term . These lenses work well with astigmatism and other irregular shaped eye .
Scleral contact lenses: these are large contact lens that rest on the sclera and creates a tear filled vault over the cornea . Scleral lenses are designed to treat variety of eye conditions , many of which do not respond to other forms of treatment like severe dry eye syndrome ,keratoconus ,corneal ectasia ,Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ,sjogren’s syndrome ,neurotrophic keratitis , complication post Lasik , higher order aberrations of eye , post corneal transplant ,pellucid degeneration.
DO’S & DONT’S OF CONTACT LENS WEARERS
DO’S
- Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before handling contact lens.
- Clean your lenses after removal as indicated by your eye care practitioner.
- Clean the lens storage case in warm soapy water at least ones a week . rinse thoroughly and dry the case before storing lenses .
- Clean your lenses with recommended lens solution only .
- If you drop a lens , clean and rinse before reapplying .
- Consult your doctor if you experience discomfort , redness , watering , foreign body sensation , blurry vision , photophobia with contact lenses on .
- Carry storage case and solution with you at all time if possible .
- Wear protective glasses or goggles if you are in a situation where dust , sand , grit or and foreign material can enter your eyes like while like riding or working in a dusty environment .
- Always keep your spectacles upto date so that you can use them if you lose or break a lens .
DONT ‘S
- Do not use your lenses if your eyes are red . Always take an advise from your eye doctor first .
- Do not rub your eyes with contact lenses on .
- Do not sprinkle water into your eye if you are wearing contact lenses .
- Do not swim while wearing contact lenses .
- Do not sleep with contact lenses .
- Do not wear lenses for more than prescribed time limit .
- Do not clean your lenses with water .
- Do not allow eye makeup to come in contact with lens .
- Do not share your lenses with any one it can spread infection.