Five Common Questions About Contact Lenses

Are Contact Lenses Better Than Glasses?

This is one of the first questions of a person who’s leaning into wearing contact lenses for the first time. While it is true that eyeglasses provide excellent solutions for optical needs, there is also an alternative quick fix for blurry vision, which is contact lenses. Let’s dive into this, and learn more about its pros.

Here are the pros of wearing contact lenses:

Contacts give you more natural vision than glasses
They move with your eye and nothing blocks what you see
They don’t fog up or get when it’s cold or rainy
Beneficial for sports and physical activities as they don’t get in the way or fall off.

Meanwhile, here are the pros of glasses:

Easy to wear, put them on and go on your day
Don’t need special cleaning solutions
Variety of frames are available, giving you that added personality
You don’t have to touch your eyes, as you can easily take your glasses off and put them on any time you want

Ultimately, there is no definite answer to whether contact lenses are better than eyeglasses since this will depend on personal preferences, comfort, lifestyle, eye health, and the specific needs of the individual.

How Many Hours Can You Wear Contact Lenses?

The duration for wearing contact lenses safely varies depending on the type of lenses you’re using and the recommendation of your eye care professional. Here’s a general guideline.

Contact lenses are designed to be worn during the day and removed before sleeping. Typically, they can be worn for up to 8 to 10 hours depending on the state of your eyes. However, once discomfort is experienced, it will be advisable to apply an eye drop with soothing content such as EO Visualities Eye Drops Artificial Tears Formula, which is specifically formulated to lubricate and rewet contact lenses during wear due to dryness.

It is also crucial to follow the specific wearing schedule recommended by your eye doctor to prevent eye strain and maintain eye health.

How To Wear/Use Contact Lenses?

Here is the step-by-step instruction for wearing the contact lenses properly:

Wash Your Hands: Start by thoroughly washing your hands with mild soap and water. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. This step is crucial to prevent transferring dirt, oils, or other impurities to the contact lenses.
Prepare the Lenses: If you’re using reusable lenses, ensure they are clean and safely stored in a clean contact lens case filled with fresh solution. If using daily disposable lenses, open the package just before wearing them. It is also highly advisable to never reuse the solution to prevent germs.
Inspect the Lenses: Check your lenses for any damage, deposits, or debris. If you notice any scratches, do not wear them. Damaged lenses can cause discomfort and potentially harm your eyes. Then apply a clean solution on your first lens, rub it on your palm for 20 seconds before placing it on your eye, and repeat this step for the second lens. You may also use a contact lens cleaner case for convenience in rinsing contact lenses.
Position Yourself: Sit in front of a well-lit mirror. Ensure you have a steady surface to work on and a clean towel to prevent the lens from falling onto a dirty surface if accidentally dropped.
Lens Handling: Use your dominant hand to hold the lens. For soft lenses, use your index finger to gently slide the lens out of the case or packaging. Rigid gas-permeable(hard) lenses might require a different technique.
Filling the Lens: If your lenses require solution before wearing, place the lens on the tip of your index finger and add a few drops of recommended contact lens solution. Always check if the lens is correctly oriented (right side up) before putting it on your eye.
Eye Preparation: Use your other hand to hold your upper eyelid open. Look straight ahead or slightly upwards.
Applying the Lens: Using the hand holding the lens, use your middle finger to hold down the lower eyelid. Bring the lens toward your eye without blinking and gently place it on the surface of your eye. After this, blink several times to position the contact lenses properly.

After both lenses are in place, ensure your vision is clear, and you don’t experience any discomfort or irritation. If you do, remove the lenses and check for issues.

Can you take a 20-minute nap with contacts in?

No. Sleeping while wearing contact lenses is generally discouraged from a medical perspective. Contact lenses, when worn during sleep, can delay the adequate oxygen supply to the eyes, encourage the accumulation of debris/protein, and create an environment conducive to the entry of bacteria and parasites into the cornea.

In reality, the risk of developing an eye infection increases significantly, ranging from six to eight times higher for those who sleep with their contact lenses. Such infections can lead to persistent pain, vision loss, and in severe cases, may need surgical intervention due to corneal scarring.

Opting to keep your eyes lens-free during sleep is a healthier choice, reducing the potential for complications and ensuring the well-being of your eyes.

Do contacts expire if unused?

Yes, contact lenses can expire even if they are unused. Contact lenses have an expiration date, typically printed on the packaging, and it starts the moment you open the container. This date is set by the manufacturer, and the expiration is also based on factors such as the materials used in the lenses and the sterility of the packaging.

Using contact lenses after their expiration date is not recommended, as the lenses may no longer be sterile or may have undergone changes such as dryness and bacteria build up since contact lenses can act as a sponge that accumulates dirt, which could affect their performance and safety.

Can you see with contact lenses on?

Yes. If you have a 20/20 vision, colored or clear contact lenses wouldn’t affect this, and you will still be able to see clearly. In addition to this, there are also graded contact lenses designed to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, depending on your eyes’ condition.

Choosing the perfect pair of contact lenses is not an easy task since there will be a lot of things to consider, and unanswered queries about the product.

Hopefully, you were able to gain some insights and new learning through these answers.

Check out Executive Optical’s EO Flexwear Dream soft contact lenses that offers a natural and glam look, ideal for long wearing. This pair will last for one month and it also comes with a free solution.

For UV-Blocking High Powered Clear Contact Lenses, EO Flexwear Hydrogel will be the perfect choice. Made -With gel-like texture that minimizes redness and dryness, you’ll surely enjoy long-day comfort.

You may also check our Visualities Artificial Tears Formula Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solution. This product is intended for daily cleaning, removing protein and other deposits, rinsing, chemical (not heat) disinfection and storing of contact lenses.

For a hassle-free cleaning of contact lenses, try using CL Case Hydromat – Vial Type With Washer. This lens cleaner is simple to use, helping remove protein deposits from both soft and hard contact lenses. A must-travel essential tool ideal for maintaining contact lenses, while on-the-go.