Are you thinking about ditching those glasses and getting contact lenses? Odds are that you’ll be very happy if you do decide to get contacts. They are comfortable to wear (after a period of adjustment), easy to use, and you won’t have to worry about glasses getting in your way anymore. Read on for some information about contact lenses and how they work!
The Low-Down on Contact Lenses
Placing something directly on the eye to help improve vision actually goes way back to the 1500s, when Leonardo da Vinci suggested the idea. In the late 1800s, glass contact lenses were invented, but, as you might expect, they were quite uncomfortable and couldn’t be worn for too long. In the 1930s, lenses were made of a combination of glass and plastic – which were a bit easier to wear. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that soft contact lenses were invented, and they have only gotten better since then.
Today, contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through the cornea. They don’t really “sit” on the eye – they actually float on a layer of film that is on the surface of the eye. The lens moves as the eye moves so that no matter where you look you can see sharply.
Your doctor will help you decide which type of contact is best for your needs – there are many different kinds, such as soft, rigid gas permeable, extended wear, and disposable. You can get contacts even if you have an astigmatism, and there are even contacts for patients who need bifocal or multifocal lenses. Once you have your contact lenses, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions as far as how long to wear them and how to take care of them.
Adjusting to contact lenses can take some time – but once you get used to wearing them, you’ll wonder how you ever got a long without them. The contact lens experts at Southside Eye Care in Chesapeake, VA, can help you decide if contacts are right for you. Call (757) 484-0101 for an appointment today!
