Contact lenses are thin clear discs that are worn over the front surface of the eye to correct vision. Contact lenses are used just like eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Many people who wear eyeglasses can also successfully wear contacts. Contact lenses can be made from a number of different materials and fall into either the soft or rigid categories. Soft lenses are a good general option for many people. Rigid lenses usually provide sharper vision especially for people with high refractive errors or larger degrees of astigmatism. Rigid lenses may take longer to get used to but once the eyes are used to them both soft and rigid lenses can be worn comfortably. Contact lenses can be worn on a variety of schedules. Some are designed to be removed daily while others can be worn overnight. They can be replaced on a daily weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. You and your doctor will determine the schedule that works best for you. Some people may not be good candidates for contact lenses. those who suffer from conditions such as dry, those who experience frequent eye infections, people with severe allergies or people who work in dusty and dirty work environments should ask their eye Dr. if contact lenses are right for them. With proper care and supervision, contacts are a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses. Patients can minimize the chance of complications in the eye by cleaning lenses thoroughly and following their eye doctor’s recommendations. These steps allows millions of people to enjoy clearer vision without the need for eyeglasses.

Millions of people choose contact lenses to correct their vision. When used with care and proper supervision contacts are a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses and laser correction. In addition with today’s new lens technologies many people who wear eyeglasses can now successfully wear contact lenses. Successful contact lens wear requires an extensive contact lens exam to determine if you are a good candidate for contact lenses. This exam should be followed by thorough checkups throughout the year to monitor your contact lens success. If you want to wear contact lenses it is necessary that you speak with your eye care professional to determine if this option is right for you.