Few Most Common Questions About Contact Lenses Answered

Contact lenses have been around for quite some time now. Before, thanks to their high prices, they were affordable only by the elite section of the society. Also, contact lenses replacing spectacles was a huge thing and there were many rumors about using contacts. This also gave rise to many myths regarding them. In this article, we shall explore some of the most frequently asked questions regarding contact lens and also bust a few myths.

Contact Lenses

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contact lens refers to a thin plastic or silicone membrane placed directly on the surface of the eye to correct any visual defects like myopia, hypermetropia, and other similar refractive errors of the eyes.

How Does Contact Lens Work?

A little bit of Physics and Biology here. The light from outside (from the objects around us) enter the eye through the cornea. These rays are then bent to pass through the pupil (through the iris, the colored ball which you see in your eye).

A lens is located behind the pupil. This lens focuses the light rays on the retina, which is then perceived by the brain.

Refractive errors occur when the image formed by the lens is either in front of the retina (myopia) or behind it (hypermetropia). To obtain a correct clear vision, the image should form on the retina.

Spectacles and contact lenses work almost in the same way they make the light rays focus on the retina.

What Kinds of Contacts are Available?

There are basically two kinds of contacts available – silicone hydrogel contacts lens and rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. The latter are kind of old school and are not that commonly used these days. Rather, silicone hydrogel contacts are used more commonly because they are very thin and are very easy for the eyes to get adjusted to.

What is the Youngest Age to Start Using Contacts?

Definitely, children younger than 3-4 years cannot use contact lenses. But kids aged around 10 to 11 can try, it all depends on how independent and matured the child is. If they are capable to care for themselves and their things with some maturity, children can try contact.

Do They Require Too Much Maintenance?

The answer to this question depends on what kind of contacts you are using. If you are using a daily disposable contact lens, then there is nearly no maintenance required because you throw it off once you are done with wearing it. But if you are using reusable contact lenses, they might need a little maintenance like you need to disinfect them after taking them off and storing them in the disinfectant liquid given to you.

Contact Lenses

Do They Fall Off Very Easily?

With modern lenses, chances are very less that they fall off because they fit closer to your eye than before. The contact lens of today does not fall off even during physical exercise. However, if you are new to wearing contacts, you may want to keep an extra pair or your spectacles around so that you can recover from the loss.

Do They Get Lost Behind the Eye?

This is one of the funniest and creepiest myths about contact lenses ever. The answer is no. There is absolutely no chance for a contact lens to get buried into your eye (unless you have severe eye damage from accidents) because the eye is covered by a protective layer called the conjunctiva. This layer will not allow anything to penetrate into deeper layers of the eye. So, there is nothing to worry about.

There were a few common questions and myths about contact lenses addressed with a correct perspective, backed by scientific facts. In case you have any more questions, you can always ask your eye doctor or optometrist before trying to use a contact lens. All the Best!!