What You Should Know First About Contact LensesContact lenses are therapeutic and cure non refractive disorders, usually fixed on the cornea of the eye for correcting vision. These visual aids serve the same corrective purpose as do ordinary glasses; they are lightweight and almost invisible to the eyes of the beholder unless the wearer is subjected to close scrutiny. They have become a popular replacement for glasses throughout the world. Usually commercial lenses are lightweight and are almost invisible to the naked eye. So they are tainted with a faint blue stain to make it visible in the solution. There are different types of lenses depending on the needs of the user. Some of the most common types are given below. Corrective contact lenses: These visual aids are designed solely for correcting vision. In case a person is suffering from refractive errors in his eyes, these lenses neutralize the refractive error that the wearer may have. These bifocal lenses correct farsightedness, shortsightedness, even astigmatism. They are of two types: hard contact lens and the soft contact lens. The hard ones have been known to create infections if left on for long periods of time. So it is rarely used nowadays, whereas the soft lenses are more popular because of the ease of use and lesser chance of an infection. Cosmetic lens: These lenses are designed to change the color of the eye. They come with a choice of colors and patterns and aim to provide a different look to the wearer. Since these lenses are not entirely transparent and have patterns inscribed onto them, they are known to cause burning and itching sensation to the eyes. This is one of the most popular types of lenses, especially among the young generation and is also used by actors and performers to give them a different look. If you do not have celebrity level income, do not worry as their are plenty of good cheap colored contact lenses from places like Acuvue. Therapeutic Contact lens: These soft lenses are commonly used to cure non refractive disorders of the eye. For example a bandaged contact lens helps in protecting an injured or infected cornea from the friction caused by the constant blinking of the eye and thus provides it with time to heal. Great care should be taken to handle contact lenses as even a small amount of dirt can cause severe eye problems. It is advised that you always wash the contact lens in the solution provided by the manufacturer every night before you go to sleep. Sleeping with the contact lens on is a strictly forbidden and may lead to serious complications in the later part of life. Excessive wear of these lenses is not good either; long term usage of is associated with side effects like diseases of the conjunctiva, eyelid, and various layers of Cornea. Incorrect usage of these lenses can result in fungal and bacterial infections that can affect the health of the eye and may lead to permanent blindness. Still these lenses have made us finally bid good bye to those bulky glasses and see the world with clearer perspective. There is also the problem of having a dry eye. Contact lenses and dry eyes can easily be dealt with by using contacts that remain moist even with dry eyes. |