Be careful about buying cheap contact lenses, they may not be the quality you want; discounted quality contact lenses are the most desirable. All correcting contact lenses must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, not over the phone.
If you've always wanted to change your eye color, color contact lenses can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels -- even various patterns and designs. In the U.S. contact lens marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard.
People who have good distance vision but need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye. Disposable lenses don't come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, while those labeled specifically for planned replacement do. There are differences in the water content and shape of the lens between different brands.
Contacts provide for excellent peripheral vision for sports, driving, safety, and performing. The length of continuous lens wear depends on the lens type and your doctor's evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow for oxygen to pass through to the cornea.
Keep in mind contact lenses are often more complex than appears. Rigid lenses don't absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap or lotion. Soft lenses also come as disposable products, that is, used once and discarded, or as planned-replacement lenses.
Extra-thin soft lenses are on the market for very sensitive people. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for rigid ones.
If you have an insurance plan, the insurance plan's seller's prices may or may not be better than what you can find elsewhere; this should be just one option when you're shopping for lenses. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls; in case you have a problem after your order arrives.
Always buy from a reputable company; you can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription. Check to see if you have a health insurance plan that includes vision coverage. Focus on value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value.
You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club. Make sure you have a current, valid prescription when you order contact lenses. Buy your contact lenses from a supplier you're familiar with and know is reliable or has name familiarity.
Extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea. The most serious safety concern with any contact lens is from overnight use. Heat disinfection is the only method effective against the microorganism Acanthamoeba keratitis, a common culprit for contact lens wearers, and it also kills organisms in and on the lens case.
Under the binding down of a rigid contact lens during sleep, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is reduced; lack of oxygen leaves the eye vulnerable to infection. Don't wear lenses any longer than they're prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult with your doctor.
Ordering contact lenses online has never been simpler with, and sometimes without, a credit card. If you're planning to buy contact lenses, you should buy the best quality you can get, even at a higher price; you don't want to skimp on quality when it comes to your eyes. Remember to use only contact lenses that are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eyecare professional.