If you are considering wearing contact lenses, there are a few things that you should know. While they are convenient and more desirable than eye glasses in many cases, they do have some special requirements regarding care and wear that you should be aware of before you take the plunge. If you have ever known someone who wears contacts, they probably make it look easy, popping them in and removing them easily. But there are things that you need to consider first to determine if contact lens wear is truly for you.
Talk to you Eye Doctor
Your eye doctor can not only help you decide if you are a good candidate for contact lens wear, but he or she can also help you decide on the type of contacts you should wear. There was a time when as astigmatism made it impossible to wear contacts and if you could they were expensive and uncomfortable. This is no longer true. Now contacts for astigmatisms are very comfortable and affordable.
You eye doctor can help you find contacts that work well with your lifestyle and special vision needs. You can now choose from hard or soft lens, extended wear and other special features. Just be prepared because the first time you get contacts your doctor will put them in for you. This can be disconcerting for some, once you get past that, you can work with them on your own and learn what methods or application and removal work best for you.
Wearing Your Contacts
Contact lens wear is convenient and easy, but there are some things that you must pay special attention to while wearing contact lenses. If you are a woman, you should apply your contacts before you put on your makeup. Also, when you are applying your makeup, try not to get any makeup in your eyes. Additionally, don’t apply eyeliner to the inside of the lid.
When you apply your contacts, squirt a little saline contact lens solution in the palm of your hand, forming a puddle. Place your contact in the puddle, making sure it is covered in the solution. Use your finger to gently rub the contact in the solution, then “rinse” the contact with fresh, clean saline. Place the contact, bowl side up, on your index finger. Hold your eye open with your other fingers and place the contact over the colored part of your eye.
Contacts are weighted at the bottom so that the prescription in the lens is correct, so blink a few times so that the contact turns on your eye to the position that it should be in. To remove your contacts, use your finger to gently “swipe” the lens to the side and pinch it to remove it. And always remember to wash your hands before you apply or remove your contacts.
Caring for Your Contacts
Wearing contacts, though, once you get the hang of it, is very convenient. Since your contacts need to be kept moist and must be cleaned after each use, rinse your contacts in saline and store them in clean solution. If you develop an eye infection you should throw your contacts away and get new ones.
If you are wearing your contact lenses and they begin to hurt, burn or are uncomfortable, they may be dry. Try applying some eye drops that are specially formulated for contact lens wearers and see if you get any relief. If not, you may have something in your eye. Remove the contact and inspect it for debris or any tiny tears. Clean the contact and reinsert it. If it has a tear, dispose of it and get a new one.
So wearing contact lenses is very convenient and much easier than eye glasses in many cases. But you must be aware of the special care that must be taken in order for you to get the most out of them.