Am I Eligible to Wear Contacts?
Are you tired of adjusting your glasses? You may just be a prime candidate for contact lenses!
There is a wide prevalence of eye disorders, as approximately 75% of Americans require vision correction. And millions of them wear contacts.
We're not knocking glasses at all, as they provide sharp sight for people who suffer from a host of problems. However, you may want to wear contacts instead if you:
- Want to show off your eyes
- Play sports or lead an active lifestyle
- Want to be fashion-forward with no limits
- Keep breaking your glasses
- Are tired of misplacing your glasses
Plus, there are many more reasons to prefer contact lenses over glasses. Are you asking: "Can I wear contacts?" Well, let’s find out!
Can Anyone Wear Contacts?
Contacts are a valid option for most. But if you...
- Are susceptible to repeated eye infections
- Suffer from severe dry eyes
- Work or live in a place that exposes you to large amounts of dust or smoke
- Have severe allergies
- Need special lenses due to a certain eye condition (for example keratoconus)
We recommend that you speak with your optometrist for more guidance on your specific situation.
Who Can Wear Contacts?
Most people have no problems wearing contacts. Approximately 9 out of 10 people who desire to wear contacts, can wear them. If you do not suffer from any of the conditions mentioned in the previous section, chances are, you can wear contacts!
Let's look at some false excuses that may turn eligible candidates away from contacts.
Excuse 1: My Astigmatism Prevents Me From Wearing Them
This used to be the case. But now, there are soft gel contacts available. There are also large diameter hard lenses that can correct severe astigmatism.
Excuse 2: I'm Too Old and I Have Presbyopia
Contact lenses are not age-specific. You're never too old! They make bifocal, multifocal and other specialized lenses to help people continue to see clearly as they age.
Excuse 3: I Cannot Afford to Wear Contacts
If you can afford glasses, then you can afford contacts, which typically cost slightly less. Also, they do not run as great of a financial risk for loss and damage. But, to lighten the load, check if your insurance company covers contact lenses.
Excuse 4: My Eyes Are Too Sensitive
Modern lens technology offers an assortment of comfortable contacts. Silicone hydrogel lenses rarely cause discomfort as they retain moisture while in your eyes. In fact, some find soft lenses so comfortable that they forget to take them out on occasion.
Excuse 5: I Don't Have Time to Change My Contacts
Do you like having to search for your glasses? Well, instead of searching, you could have spent less time by putting in your contacts!
Yes, it does take a while to put contacts in the first few times. But like anything else, once the adjustment period passes, you can generally insert your contacts in less than a minute. By the way, removing them is just as easy!
Are Contacts Worth It?
Contacts offer numerous benefits including:
Optimum Vision
Contact lenses offer you a more complete visual field than glasses. There are a few reasons why:
- They lie directly over the cornea, reducing vision distortions.
- Contacts move with your eye, offering you a full range of vision.
- There are no frames that can block your vision.
- Fogged up contact lenses just don’t happen.
Contacts offer the most natural viewing for those needing vision correction.
Safety
Contacts provide a safer option for driving since they do not obstruct your peripheral vision like glasses. They also do not pose the risk that glasses do when you’re playing sports or participating in other physical activities.
Comfort
If you find that the bridge of your nose feels sore or that your temples ache, you may want to consider contacts. Contact lenses fit comfortably on your eyes without the annoying frames or bands.
Free Your Eyes!
Glasses can take away from your natural beauty, as they cover part of your face. Moreover, they cover your eyes, one of your most important means of communication and bonding. Contacts allow you to show them off!
Confidence Boost
Many people feel self-conscious about wearing glasses. We admit that there are some negative stereotypes about glasses.
Another great thing about contacts is that they never impede your personal style. They can even add a boost to your outfit, especially if you choose colored ones. After all, variety is the spice of life!
Contact lenses can offer you vision correction and fashion support!
What Type of Contacts Will Work Best for Me?
There is a wide range of contact lenses available to best fit each person's eyes and lifestyle. Lenses can either be hard or soft depending on the material used to make them.
Disposable Lenses
Disposable lenses come in a range of types and colors to fit your needs. You discard them at the end of each day, so you reduce your chances of irritation. They are generally silicone hydrogel lenses designed to give you maximum comfort.
Weekly Lenses
These are a type of daily wear lenses. You can wear each pair of contacts for a week, but you must remove, clean and store them each evening. These lenses are also cost-effective.
Monthly Lenses
Monthly contacts are another form of daily wear lenses. The duration of each pair is up to a month. And, just like weekly contacts, you still have to maintain a daily cleaning regimen.
Spherical Contacts
This is a specific type of lens design which distributes the corrective power throughout the lens. They are useful for correcting myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).
Toric Contacts
Toric contacts work well for people with astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. They have different corrective capacities in the various meridians of each lens.
Multifocal/Bifocal Contacts
Remember the bit about never being too old for contacts? Well, these lenses will work perfectly to correct your presbyopia!
Monovision Contacts
This type of contact lens also works for presbyopia. Plus, if your eyes see differently, monovision contacts can correct each eye independently. So you may have one for nearsightedness and another lens of the eye that is farsighted.
Colored Contacts
Maybe you want to add a little color to your life. Colored lenses come in both prescription and non-prescription options. They allow almost anybody to switch it up a little (or a lot)!
Contact(s) Us!
There is a 90% chance that you are eligible for contact lenses. Remember, we threw out those obsolete excuses for not switching to contacts.
Get ready to check with your optometrist to make sure that you have all the information you need about your treatment options.
When you're ready to wear contacts, contact us!
