If you’ve been longing to make the switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses, you may be surprised to find out there is an adjustment period when you finally get fitted for contacts.
Don’t worry; although you might find your contacts challenging at first, you’ll swiftly become accustomed to them. However, it’s important to know about the proper care routine and the warning signs of real issues, so you can seek help quickly and safeguard your eye health.
Harlem VistaSite Eye Care in New York City provides a full range of eye care services, including contact prescriptions. We are here for you as you make the transition, with helpful tips for life with contacts.
If you fail to properly clean and maintain your contacts, you can end up with a serious problem. One in five eye infections that are caused by contacts ends in serious eye damage, so make sure you’re following the proper protocol for your type of lens.
There are several different types of contacts, and each is designed for a certain lifespan and care protocol.
Rigid contact lenses must be taken out every night, cleaned meticulously, and stored in a sterile solution. If you care for them properly, they can last for months. Rigid lenses may be best for you if you have dry eyes or if you have a complicated prescription and need specialized lenses that are expensive.
There are several types of soft lenses. Some are intended to be worn for just one day then discarded. Others may only need to be replaced weekly, but must be removed nightly, cleaned, and stored. Finally, extended wear soft lenses can be worn for up to 30 days, even at night, but should be taken out and cleaned at least once a week, preferably more often.
Your contact lenses need to match the curve of the front of your eye. Too shallow of a curve, and you’ll find yourself blinking them out by accident. Too tight, and your eye won’t receive the oxygen and hydration it needs to stay healthy. If you experience dry eye or discomfort, return to your eye doctor and ask to have the fit checked.
In many cases, switching to contacts can cause your prescription to change slightly as your eyes adjust. It’s important to have your prescription renewed annually when you wear contact lenses, so you can protect your sight.
Think contact lenses could be just the right next step to take in your eyecare plan? To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Harlem VistaSite Eye Care today.
