CONSIDER CONTACTS!

With over 31 million people wearing contact lenses in the United States alone, it is obvious that contact lenses are the number one choice for many people with vision correction needs. After all, contacts provide close to natural sight, and there are so many different lenses available for a wide variety of needs and preferences.

The flexibility and convenience that contact lenses provide are leading more and more people to contacts as science provides us with greater options in contact lens wear. And because there are so many options, it is important to discuss the matter fully with an eyecare professional, who will consider your overall vision problems, the health of your eyes, and your specific visual needs and motivations. So don't forget to ask your doctor about contact lenses; they may fit your lifestyle just right!

For information about common conditions requiring vision correction, click here.

TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES and their BENEFITS

CONTACT LENS TYPE	BENEFITS
Daily-wear soft lenses Made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.	very short adaptation period more comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses available in tints and bifocals too great for active lifestyles while careful cleaning is required, lens care maintenance products are unsurpassed in simplicity and efficacy
Daily-wear disposable soft lenses Single-use, daily wear lens that are designed to be worn for a single day, discarded at night, and replaced with a brand new pair.	typically no lens care is required assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced great for active lifestyles
Extended-wear soft lenses Available for overnight wear. Made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.	can usually be prescribed for up to seven days of wear without removal
Extended-wear disposable soft lenses Soft lenses worn continuously from one to six nights, and then discarded.	require little or no cleaning available in tints and bifocals too spare lenses conveniently on hand
Frequent & planned replacement soft lenses Soft daily or extended wear lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, most often every two weeks, monthly or quarterly.	assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced available in most prescriptions spare lenses conveniently on hand
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes	vision may be sharper than with soft contact lenses easy to put on and to care for durable with a relatively long life (1-2) years available in tints (for handling purposes) and bifocals daily-wear and extended-wear designs available planned replacement schedule also available

TEENAGERS & CONTACTS

Many people in the younger generation want to wear contacts, as they are uncomfortable with spectacles -- an option that often does not meet the needs of a young person’s lifestyle. It is important that an eyecare professional consults with both the patient and the parent, so that the required maintenance routine is understood. Click here for more information on contacts---- just for teens.

How Old is Old Enough?

How old is "old enough" for contact lens wear? This is one of the most frequently asked questions concerning vision correction the CLC receives.

Dr. Barry Weiner, past chairman of the American Optometric Association's contact lens section and CLC member, says, "There are no hard and fast rules with children and lenses--I've fit a child as young as 8. Granted, it was a very mature 8-year-old. So much depends on the responsibility level of the child. There are 14- and 16-year-olds--in fact, 20-year-olds--that I wouldn't fit with contacts, because I simply didn’t think they were ready."

It is important for an eye care professional to assess a child's vision correction needs and to discuss the child's capabilities and maturity level 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 child’s unique eye chemistry.

Regardless of the type of lens one wears, lens care is now easier and more convenient than ever before, and has become a possibility for many children. Basic lens care includes cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing to keep lenses clean, comfortable and free from bacteria. The CLC urges parents and children alike to follow specific instructions prescribed by their eye care professionals. For more information, see our "Safety Tips".

Advances in contact lens technology are even enabling a significant number of infants and toddlers to cope better with serious eye problems. Babies born prematurely are at a high risk of blindness because their retinas are not completely developed at birth. Approximately 4,000 preemies are affected by this problem each year. While surgery can protect their vision, this procedure often leaves them either very nearsighted or very farsighted. Contact lenses can provide them the best vision possible and even help their own vision develop better. Spectacles are not a practical alternative for this group.

Any parent considering contacts for a child should consult an eye care professional.

LENS SWAPPING

There have been alarming reports throughout the country that people--most frequently teenagers-are "swapping" lenses with each other: "I’ll trade you my blues for your cats-eyes". REMEMBER: DO NOT SWAP, BORROW OR BUY SOMEONE ELSE’S LENSES. It is essential that contact lenses be professionally fitted. Contact lenses that don't fit correctly or are used by more than one individual can cause serious eye infections, potentially resulting in permanent eye damage and other problems.

THE COST OF CONTACT LENSES

The initial cost of contact lenses is made up of the cost of actual lenses plus the services of an eyecare professional, which may be covered by your insurance plan. With competitive pricing for the lenses themselves, it is important to take into account these savings when considering the cost of professional services, in order to get the best, the safest and the most suitable lens for your needs.

When you get a prescription for contact lenses, you get a comprehensive set of services and materials that go along with the lenses themselves including:

• the initial office visit and thorough examination, which will cover fitting procedures and usage guidelines;
• a lens care kit, which can include solutions and storage cases;
• lens wear and care training; follow-up visits over a specified period of time.

Ordering 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 requires proper fitting, wear and care. 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.
• And finally, if a problem results from the order, visit your eyecare professional immediately.