People with vision problems can be found throughout the world. There are many reasons for vision deterioration ranging from heredity, old age, disease of the retina, cornea etc. To set right vision impediments spectacles were and are used even today. But with the advent of contact lenses and new improvements in contact lens manufacture and technology, people have started to wear contact lenses. Contact lenses are now the most preferred method to correct vision problems. Perfect vision and Imperfect vision. Perfect vision otherwise known as 6/6 vision, means the rays of light fall on a particular spot on the retina. This enables the person to have a clear view of things. Imperfect vision or defective vision means the person is able to view things in a hazy sort of way. This is due to the light rays scattering and not falling on the particular spot in the retina. Imperfect vision generally falls under two categories short sightedness and long sightedness. Other forms of imperfect vision are presbyopia and astigmatism. All these problems can be set right by using spectacles, which rectify the vision, or by using contact lenses. Contact lenses technology has grown in leaps and bounds and is the most preferred method as it not only addresses vision problems but also makes you look good. Feel good factor many people who start experiencing vision problems do not like to wear spectacles. Psychiatrists and experts who have studied this phenomenon feel that more than 50% of the people do not like wearing spectacles as they feel it is a source of embarrassment. A common grouse is that they would be the butt of jokes and would not be able to gain respect among peers. However, with the advent of contact lenses, people are able to overcome this so called embarrassment and at the same time are able to view things clearly. Shopping for contact lenses , according to psychiatrists is a huge motivating factor for people who wear spectacles and feel depressed all the time. Varieties of contact lenses: With extensive studies conducted by doctors and physicians over the years, the contact lenses came into being more than a century ago. Contact lenses were originally made of glass and inserted into the eye on the corneal surface. Due to the hardness of glass, it was difficult for the person to keep wearing it for long durations. Hence scientist invented a softer better form of contact lens, the hard plastic lens. Nowadays, contact lens manufacture has come a long way and you can find soft contact lens at every dealer. These are soft on the eye, as they are made of plastic and contain water; they also permit oxygen in the eye. Contact lenses are of the following types: Polymethylmethacrylate lenses or PMMA lenses: These are made of PMMA plastic and are cheaper than other lenses. The only drawback being, oxygen is not allowed to reach the cornea. Many contact lens users however still prefer these types of contacts. Gas Permeable lenses: These are made of silicone or other types of plastic, which allow oxygen to reach the cornea. These lenses provide better comfort to the eyes than PMMA lenses. Soft Contact lenses: These are made of plastic and contain water. Soft contact lenses have a big following now and is the most preferred type of contact lens throughout the world. Since the lens is water based it allows oxygen to pass to the cornea and is very easy on the eye. Disposable Contact lenses: This is the new craze among contact lens wearers. Disposable contact lenses are good as they decrease the possibilities of a contact lens wearer getting infected with allergies of the eye. Protein deposits on the lens is comparatively lesser than in other lenses. These lenses are to be used and discarded weekly or monthly as the case maybe. Toric lenses: Patients who are diagnosed with astigmatism are normally prescribed toric contact lenses. Many companies manufacture contact lenses. There are many major brands and some of the famous brands are: Acuvue, Biomedics, Focus, Optima, Proclear, Soflens, Sureview and Versaflex. Each company is vying for a huge piece of the contact lens market and is trying to go one up on the other. Hence, new technologies are being used to come up with lenses that are softer, lenses that are able to breath etc. Many websites provide free shipping of contact lenses. Healthy contact lens wearing practices: Make sure your hands are clean before touching your contact lenses. Wash your hands with soap and then touch the contact lenses, as it will prevent any infection occurring to your eye. Make sure that you clean the contact lenses with the solution provided along with it to ward off infection and to cleanse it of protein enzyme deposits. It is advised to sterilize the lens case by boiling it in hot water once a week or once every two weeks. Solutions once used should not be used again as the chances of infections rise. Water should not be used as a storage medium for lenses. If a lens gets torn or damaged, replace it immediately. Do not apply any eye drop on the lens unless specified by a doctor. If any irritation occurs or if your eye gets swollen contact your eye doctor immediately. Proper lens care is essential for a healthy eye bereft of infection and for that instructions of the eye doctor should be followed as specified. Contact lenses may not suit persons who are prone to eye infections. People who are allergic or who work in dusty environments should avoid using contact lenses. Some people do not generate tears as others do, and this is generally due to tear glands not functioning properly. Their eyes do not get moistened enough and if they wear contact lenses it could lead to problems. You should consult your eye doctor before wearing contact lenses. Your doctor is the best judge and he will recommend or dissuade you from using contact lenses.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
