Contact lenses are a first choice for nearly anyone who suffers from sight problems. However, most people tend to think of those contact lenses as a beauty product only. While it is a beauty product, it is also a medical product, and needs proper care and maintenance. Too many people suffer from infections and even injuries every year because they neglect to properly care for their lenses. It is not a hard routine, but it is very important for your health and your sight.
Listen carefully to any and all instructions your eye care professional gives you. You have a lot of options out there in the world of contact lenses, but different lenses sometimes require different care. First, you will need to decide along with your doctor what kind of contact lenses you want.
Plain soft contact lenses are one of the most common choices among people in the world of contact lenses. These are soft lenses, and clear. Most people wear disposable versions of these lenses. Usually these can be worn for two weeks to one month, depending on the specific lens. Make sure you clean these lenses every night, with the solution that your doctor recommends. Generally this means applying a few drops of solution to each side of the lens and gently rubbing it in your hand for a few minutes, then soaking your contact lenses in the solution overnight. When the lenses are old, you will usually begin feeling that they are less comfortable than when they are new, which is usually due to buildup on the lenses. That will help you know when it is time to throw them away and start fresh with a new pair of contact lenses. You will also need to keep rewetting drops on hand to help keep your eyes moisturized. This goes for any and every type of lenses you choose.
Colored contact lenses are a popular choice as well. These days there is a color for everyone, regardless of whether your eyes are naturally dark or light. Today’s colored contact lenses are more natural looking than they used to be. You can choose from fully colored lenses intended to recolor your eyes, or enhancers, that are meant to enhance your natural eye color to make it even more beautiful.
There are also daily contact lenses. These are similar to the regular disposable soft contact lenses, but they are designed to be thrown away each night, and a new pair worn each day. These types of lenses nearly eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, but you should still have solution on hand in case a lens falls out, because it is unwise to reinsert a lens without cleaning it. It is still important that you remove the lenses, do not sleep in them. Doing so can cause injury and/or infection to your eyes.
There is one type of contact lens that is designed for overnight wear. A couple of manufacturers make those lenses. It is important that you discuss the pros and cons of these lenses with your doctor, to see if they are right for you. Make sure you fully understand how to care for these and any lenses you choose to wear.
