More and more, people are wearing contact lenses. The number of people wearing contact lenses has steadily increased since their appearance on the market. Have you ever thought about wearing contact lenses? If you would like to purchase some, the first step is to make an appointment with your optometrist. He will ask you what kind of lenses you would like to try. Your prescription, your budget and other factors will help determine which lenses are best for you. To guide you, here is a small questionnaire that will help you determine which type of lenses are right for you.
Do you tend to follow the care instructions to the letter?
If you are organized and thorough, monthly or bi-weekly lenses may be right for you. They must be cleaned at the end of each day that they are worn. Special attention should also be made to the length of consecutive hours of wear.
If you are more or less diligent when it comes time to follow the rules, 1-day lenses can definitely be a better choice. They do not need cleaning: you just throw them out at the end of the day and use a new pair the following day.
Do you often have red eyes?
If your eyes are sensitive, dry, or if they become easily infected, daily replacement lenses may be a good option for you. As a new pair is used every day, the risk of eye infection or irritation is lower than if you use monthly of bi-weekly lenses.
Do you travel often?
1-day lenses are very practical when traveling. They do not require maintenance fluid and will take up less space in your suitcase! Some people also choose to wear monthly or bi-monthly replacement lenses daily, and wear 1-day lenses while traveling because they are more convenient in this situation.
Do you have a smaller budget?
Lenses that are replaced every two weeks or every month are cheaper than daily lenses. These types of lens can also be bought in smaller quantities, so these lenses require less investment than daily lenses. Keep in mind that if you would like to save on your contacts, it is always better to buy them in larger quantities. Often, lens manufacturers offer discounts on orders for six months or for a year.
Do you have a very high or complex prescription?
There are several criteria for these types of contact lenses, such as curvature, diameter, and of course the prescription. With these conditions it is better in a monthly or bi-weekly replacement lenses. Some prescriptions are not available in 1-day lenses. If, for example, your lenses need to correct several vision disorders at once, such as astigmatism, myopia and presbyopia, you might not be able to find a daily use contact lens that will solve all of them. Your optometrist or optician will guide you to find the lenses that match your prescription.
Do you usually forget to remove your lenses before going to sleep?
To prevent eye infections, contact lenses should always be removed before going to sleep. However, if you are used to dozing off before even thinking of removing them, continuous-wear lenses may be right for you. They can be worn up to thirty consecutive days, and therefore do not need to be removed before going to sleep. However, these types of lens are more prone to infections than others because the eyes receive less oxygen during the night compared to those who take them out for sleep. Your optometrist will help you determine if you are a good candidate for wearing this type of lens.
Do you want to change the color or appearance of your eyes?
Some lenses are specially designed to change the color or shape of the iris. They are available with or without a prescription. Colourful and whimsical lenses can be worn on special occasions, but also in everyday life. To avoid irritating your eyes or permanently damaging them, get coloured lenses from an eye care professional. Your optometrist or optician will make sure they are adjusted to the curvature and diameter of your eyes. They will also give you valuable hygiene tips to prevent eye infections or other complications.
If you are interested in wearing contact lenses, make an appointment with your optometrist. Once you have determined which type of lens may be right for you, you will be able to try them for a couple of days to make sure that they are adapted to your eyes. If the trial period is not successful, your optometrist or optician will give you another type of lens to try out. Make an appointment for a contact lens fitting now at the nearest IRIS store!
