- Advantages and disadvantages of contact lenses
- What Health Problems Can Cause
- How to Buy and Choose Contact Lenses
- Cleaning and Care of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a safe alternative to wearing prescription glasses, provided they are used under medical advice and following the rules of cleaning and care to avoid infections or other problems with vision.
When compared to prescription glasses, contact lenses have advantages because they are not foggy, do not weigh or slip and are more comfortable for those who practice physical activity, but their use may increase the risk of conjunctivitis, red and dry eyes or of corneal ulcers, for example. In addition, the use of lenses can cause some doubts and insecurities, clarify your doubts in Myths and Truths about Contact Lenses.
Advantages and disadvantages of contact lenses
The use of contact lenses has its advantages and disadvantages, when compared to the use of prescription glasses, which should always be taken into account:
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
| Do not get wet or foggy | Can tear easily if handled poorly |
| There are no disturbing reflections or distortions in the image | May make your eyes dry and irritated |
| Do not weigh or slip | They have a greater number of infections or complications in the eyes compared to prescription glasses |
| Facilitate physical activity and eliminate the risk of leaving | They need daily care and constant maintenance |
| Give a natural look and increase self-esteem | They are more expensive than glasses |
In addition, contact lenses correct not only myopia, but also astigmatism and hyperopia, the difficulty in seeing closely, and can be used by anyone at any age, including children and adolescents.
What Health Problems Can Cause
Conjunctivitis, stye, red eyes or dry eyes are some of the complications that can arise due to the use of contact lenses, however none of them are serious and can be treated in a short time.
In more severe cases, other eye complications such as corneal ulcers or ulcerative keratitis may also appear in people who make prolonged use of lenses, who do not respect the recommended hygiene or who usually sleep with lenses. These problems, when not properly treated, can cause permanent blindness.
So when symptoms such as itching, redness, watering, feeling of discomfort in the eye and changes in vision appear, you should immediately stop using contact lenses and consult the ophthalmologist, so that the problem can be identified and treated. See the main causes and what to do in case of eye pain.
How to Buy and Choose Contact Lenses
To buy contact lenses, you should start by consulting an ophthalmologist so that he can assess your vision and indicate which graduation is necessary and what is the best type of lens for you.
Contact lenses can be purchased at opticians or online stores and are usually daily, biweekly, monthly or yearly, with a validity of 1 day, 15 days, 1 month or 1 year. In addition, there are lenses produced with different materials, which adapt and react in different ways in the eye.
It is very important that the chosen lenses are comfortable and that they adapt well to the eye, and that the foreign body sensation in the eye is not present. The shorter the lens lasts, the safer it becomes, because the risk of infections, complications or harmful bacteria developing is less. However, the less time the lens lasts, the more expensive it becomes, and this investment is not always possible or necessary, because the monthly lenses when used correctly, making the necessary hygiene and respecting the times of use, are also safe.
Cleaning and Care of Contact Lenses
Anyone who regularly wears contact lenses is important to have some cleaning and care rules to avoid infections or other problems, which include:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial liquid soap and dry with paper or a lint-free towel, before touching your eyes or lenses; The disinfectant solution in the lens case should be changed whenever you need to store lenses, rinsing well with new solution to remove residues. In addition, you should put the solution in the case first and then the lens. The lenses must always be handled one at a time, to avoid confusion or exchange, as it is common for the eyes not to have the same graduation. Whenever you remove the lens, you should put it in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of disinfectant solution and with your fingertip you should gently rub the front and back of each lens in order to thoroughly clean its surface. After that, you should rinse the lenses again with a few more drops of liquid and only then should you store them in the case. Whenever you are using the lenses, you should wash the case with lens disinfectant solution, allowing it to air dry upside down and on a clean tissue. If you do not use your lenses every day, you should change the solution case at least once a day.
In addition, it is also important to remember that contact lenses should not be used for more than 8 hours in a row and that they should be placed and removed from the eyes following some recommended steps. Know the step by step in Care to put and remove Contact Lenses.
Another important precaution includes replacing the lens case monthly, to avoid the accumulation of impurities and contamination.
