Can you wear Contact Lenses?

For some of us that need to wear prescription glasses, the idea of contact lenses can be a little scary. While for others, we still labour under the idea that we cannot wear contact lenses.

So we naturally shy away from the idea of going down to our local optometrist, and continue with our day to day lives and the glasses we have become accustomed to.

But, technology has improved dramatically over the past few years, so much so that the answer to the question “Can I wear contacts?” might in fact have changed. For example, there are now multifocal contact lenses for people with Presbyopia, and Toric soft lenses that correct astigmatism. You may be a better candidate for contact lens wear than you think! So today we aim to answer a few common questions surrounding the comfort and use of contact lenses in modern day life.

Will My Contact Lens Get Lost Behind My Eye?

The answer is no. A thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelids, making it impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye. Your contact lens should sit comfortably in the front of your eye and not move at all.

Will It Be Uncomfortable And Can It Get Stuck?

Contact lenses are designed to sit comfortably in front of the eye. After a brief adaptation period, most people don’t even notice they’re wearing contact lenses anymore. For those who do experience contact lens discomfort, several remedies are available once the cause is pinpointed. Should you experience any discomfort whatsoever, feel free to contact any one of our qualified optometrists and describe the discomfort you are experiencing and we will provide solutions that will help. Also, while it’s true that a soft contact lens can stick to the surface of your eye if it dries out, remoistening the lens by applying sterile saline or a multipurpose contact lens solution will get it moving again.

Aren’t Contact Lenses A Lot Of Trouble To Take Care Of?

Not anymore! EyeQ can provide you with “one-bottle” contact lens care systems that make the cleaning and disinfecting your lenses super easy. Or you can choose to eliminate contact lens care altogether by wearing daily disposable contacts or 30-day extended wear contact lenses. 30 day extended wear contacts can be worn while sleeping for 30 days straight, providing an alternative to laser surgery that is safe and easy. If your prescription changes, our optometrists at EyeQ can make the necessary adjustments on the fly.

Does Wearing Contacts Cause Eye Problems?

It’s true that contact lens wear can increase the risk of certain eye problems. But if you follow your eye doctor’s instructions regarding how to care for your lenses, how long to wear them and how frequently you should replace them, wearing contact lenses is very safe. Remember, we are always available to answer any questions you may have and especially any concerns that may trouble you. Our optometrists are professional eye doctors and they will not prescribe something to you that will cause your eyes more harm.

I Don’t Have The Constitution To Insert Contacts!

Sure you do. It might seem difficult at first, but your eye care professional will help you learn how to apply and remove your contacts before you leave their office. Most people become adept at handling contact lenses much faster than they expect to. Thirty day extended wear contact lenses provide an easy alternative to removing and cleaning every day once you know how to insert and remove the contact lenses with ease.

Will My Contacts Pop Out?

Years ago, old-fashioned “hard” contact lenses could sometimes pop out of a wearer’s eyes during sports or other vigorous activities. But today’s contacts — including rigid gas permeable (GP) contacts — fit closer to the eye so it’s very rare for a contact lens to dislodge from a wearer’s eye unexpectedly.

Aren’t Contact Lenses Expensive?

Not at all. Contact lenses can sometimes be less expensive than a good pair of eye glasses. Even daily disposable contact lenses (once considered a luxury), can cost less than a coffee a day.

Am I Too Old To Wear Contacts?

With the advent of multifocal contact lenses, and contacts that are specially designed for dry eyes, advancing age is no longer the barrier to successful contact lens wear that it once was. Ask your optometrist if you’re a good candidate for contacts — the answer might surprise you.