Contact lenses revolutionized the field of optometry when they came onto the scene in the 1940s. To be more accurate, Leonardo da Vinci conceptualized the idea of contact lenses in 1508, and it took almost three centuries for researchers to develop the first full-eye glass contact lens. The type that covers only the cornea hit the market in 1948.
Since then, technology has advanced considerably, and so have contact lenses. Today, there’s a wide variety of contact lenses made of different materials for different purposes.
To learn about your options and to find out which is best for you, visit Dr. Sophia Barnes at Vision Corner in Houston, Texas. She has many years of experience helping patients find the right contact lenses that fit seamlessly into their life and lifestyle. Here are five things you should take into account when choosing contacts.
Before you get prescription contact lenses, you need a prescription, and that means you need an eye exam. Not only does Dr. Barnes check for early signs of serious eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, but she also assesses your visual acuity, which lets her know the exact prescription for your corrective eye glasses or contact lenses.
It’s also important to know whether you have astigmatism, a condition characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea. If you do, you’ll need special contact lenses that fit the unique shape of your eye.
Contact lenses come in many brands and are made from many different materials, and each of these has varying maintenance requirements — some need daily attention; others you can forget about for a full month before you need to replace them.
Whichever type you choose, we teach you how to clean and care for your contact lenses to protect them and your eyes.
Every time you blink, your eyelid bathes your eye in moist, rejuvenating tears. So, if you don’t blink enough, you can develop dry eyes, and dry eyes are not suitable for contact lenses. One of the main culprits behind inadequate blinking is excess time looking at computers and other electronic screens.
Studies show that people blink 66% less while staring at a computer screen, a condition called computer vision syndrome. If you’re one of the 75% of people who sit in front of a computer all day at work, this has a significant impact on how your contact lenses will feel and function.
In this case, Dr. Barnes recommends contact lenses with high moisture content, as well as adherence to the 20:20:20 rule that encourages you to interrupt your screen time every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds.
Your job, hobbies, and physical activity levels also come into play when you choose your contact lenses. While contact lenses give you more freedom to run, jump, and tumble without worrying about breaking your eyeglass frames, it also means that your contact lenses and eyes aren’t protected.
Dr. Barnes may recommend wearing protective eye gear while participating in sports or working with chemicals or open flames.
Your daily routine affects your choice, as well. Some people love the idea of popping in a fresh pair of contact lenses every morning, and taking them out at night for an overnight soak. Other folks like the freedom of monthly maintenance.
Most people can wear contact lenses without a problem, but there are some circumstances that may make it difficult or ill-advised. For example, if you tend to get eye infections easily, or if you have excessive fluid discharge, you’re not a good candidate for contact lenses.
Dr. Barnes lets you know if you qualify for contact lenses or if eye glasses are a better option for you.
We carry all the top brands of contact lenses and can help you choose which style is right for you. Dr. Barnes guides you through your choices and lets you know the pros and cons of each.
And remember, if the type you choose first isn’t a great fit for your lifestyle, there are plenty more options and several features available, including multifocal, astigmatism-friendly, soft, rigid gas permeable, extended wear, disposable, and colored lenses.
Are you considering contact lenses? To find out which contacts are best for you, call our office at 713-623-2000 today.