If you’re reading this, you might be thinking about wearing contact lenses for the first time.
You also might be wondering if there are any contact lens issues you should be aware of before you give up your glasses for contacts.
Fair enough! Let’s find out together by exploring and answering different questions on this subject by separating fact from fiction.
Are contacts better than glasses?
In most cases, this is all up to your personal preferences. If you’re comparing the difference between contacts vs. eye glasses, you needn’t completely ignore one for the other. Many people choose to wear their contact lenses during certain hours, say while at school or work, and then switch to their glasses later. You can also add some variety by wearing contact lenses one day and eye glasses another.
Cleaning contact lenses: Is it hard to do?
You’ll find that cleaning your contacts isn’t much more time consuming than cleaning your glasses. Just make sure you’re using sterile contact lens solution—not tap water. The water from your bathroom sink can contain deposits that could build up on your contact lenses. You don’t want that to happen.
Plus—and this is very important—never place your contacts in your mouth or spit on them in an effort to clean them. You’ll likely wind up doing the exact opposite by introducing bacteria.
If you want to avoid nightly cleanings altogether, consider getting daily contact lenses. With these contacts, you simply wear and toss them every day. There’s no daily cleaning required.
Are contact lenses dangerous?
Millions of people wear contacts safely every day. Some first-time contact lens wearers worry about the lenses slipping behind their eyes. Rest easy, this can’t happen. Your conjunctiva, the transparent cover for your eyes’ exterior, prevents this.
However, you should be aware that contact lenses are medical devices. They can only be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed eye care professional. People have incurred eye injuries by wearing novelty “Halloween” contact lenses.
Make-up and contact lenses: Must I give up one for the other?
Make-up and contacts can live together harmoniously if you’re careful in the application of both. To help, insert your contacts first. You don’t want the oils and other substances from makeup on your contact lenses.
Along this line, always wash your hands before handling your contacts and do this without using heavily perfumed soap with moisturizer. You might transfer unwanted substances to your contacts.
These are some general contact lens problems that many first-time wearers sometimes think about before switching to contacts. Be sure to discuss any questions you have with your eye doctor, as more specific questions can change from person to person.