1. Can I swim while wearing my contact lenses?
Yes, but you should wear tight-fitting goggles because there
are microbes in the water that can stick to your lenses. You should disinfect
your lenses afterwards. If you don't wear goggles, the contact lenses may float
from your eyes or they may absorb the pool water, which can result in them
adhering firmly to the eye. If this occurs, it is advisable to leave the lenses
alone for 10-15 minutes until the water in them has been replaced by natural
tears before trying to remove them. Exposing your contact lenses to pool water
can be uncomfortable due to chlorine.
2. Can contact lenses be worn while traveling by aeroplane without discomfort?
No. The low humidity in an aircraft cabin contributes to dry
eye symptoms and contact lens discomfort. It may help to put lubrication drops
in your eyes before you enter the airplane or during flight. If symptoms persist
or become severe, it will be easier and more comfortable for you to wear
spectacles.
3. Can contact lenses come out of the eye with
blinking?
No. With normal use, and with a proper prescription, contact
lenses will stay firmly in position. However, they can come out under certain
conditions. High winds can cause the eyes to water and pull the eyelid tight
against the eye, increasing the chance of lens loss. Rubbing your eye carelessly
may result in a lost lens or it may move under the eyelid.
4. Is it OK to play sports while wearing contact
lenses?
Yes. Wearing soft contact lenses for sports is more flexible
and stable than use of spectacles. If your sport involves vigorous exercise, the
soft contact lens is the best choice. If contact lenses are not worn apart from
sports, then use of a daily-disposable lens is the simplest and safest way.
5. Which type of lens care system is best?
Recently, the 'one-bottle' systems have become popular. These
'All-in-One' solutions are the easiest and quickest ways to 'rinse-and-rub' and
then store and disinfect your soft lenses. However, if you are particularly
sensitive to chemicals, it may be better to use a hydrogen peroxide-based
system.
6. Can a contact lens be "lost" behind the eye?
No. A thin strong membrane, called the conjunctiva, lines the
inside of your eyelids and curls back on itself to cover the white part of the
eye. Lenses cannot pass through it. However, your contact lenses may slide under
your eyelids or become displaced. If this occurs, try looking in the direction
of the lens to move it back to the correct position. Soft contact lenses tend to
center automatically on the cornea.
7. Can contact lenses block ultraviolet light?
Yes, but only partially. Some manufacturers have added UV
blocking properties to some lenses but none block all of the harmful UV light.
Health organizations state that contact lenses are not a substitute for UV
absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing sunglasses in part because contact lenses
cover only a portion of the eye. It is recommended you wear UV absorbing
sunglasses over your prescription contact lenses, even if they contain UV
blocking properties.
8. How often should contact lenses be changed?
The recommended life of soft contact lenses varies, depending
on the type of lens, from 1-day, 1-week, 2-weeks, 1-month, and longer up to
1-year. With any contact lens, you should follow the prescribed wear and care
instructions given by the manufacturer.
9. How do I know if my contact lenses are 'worn out'?
Typical signs that a lens is approaching the end of its life
are hazy vision, discomfort, and lens discoloration and deposits. These can lead
to allergies and other complications. Today, frequent replacement lenses (daily,
weekly or monthly) are often prescribed to prevent these problems before they
occur.
10. Can contact lenses be worn if the eyes are
sensitive or tender?
No. It is not advisable to wear contact lenses if your eyes
are bothering you, particularly if the discomfort is related to contact lens
wear. If you experience discomfort related to contact lens wear, consult your
eye care practitioner.
11. What are contact lenses made of?
Today's contact lenses are made from a number of different
materials called polymers. These polymers ensure comfortable lens wear by
allowing the eye to absorb oxygen from the air and maintain their shape on the
eye. Modern soft lenses offer excellent comfort and are soft because they
contain water. Typically, the water content of lenses varies from about 40% to
70%. If the lenses are worn on an extended (overnight) wear basis, then the eye
can become short of oxygen (hypoxic) and its surface may become swollen reducing
vision.
12. How long can a contact lens be stored after it has
been removed from its package?
This varies according to the frequency of wear and the
cleaning and disinfection routine that you use for storing the lens. For
specific details consult the package insert of your lens care system.
13. Can my contact lenses be worn on a continual
day-and-night basis?
No. This is called extended wear and has a much greater chance
of causing you to have an infection. It can also damage the front of your eye
(the cornea). International Vision Direct does not recommend wearing your lenses
on a continual or extended wear basis. You should take your lenses out of your
eyes each night, or when you sleep.
14. I am currently 7 months pregnant and experience
reduced and blurry vision with my daily wear contacts.
The high hormone levels in pregnancy may have an effect on
tear function and can result in reduced and blurry vision. This can occur
because of excessive protein deposition on your contacts with pregnancy or
breastfeeding. The most likely reason for your satisfactory use of Daily
Disposable lenses during your pregnancy is that there is not sufficient time for
a build up of a protein coating on them. Daily Disposable lenses should be
thrown away each night - you do not then need to buy any disinfecting solutions!
There is also no problem then with protein deposition. If however you find that
you have reduced or blurry vision with both types of contacts, or without
contacts, then you should consult your optometrist or eye care doctor at once as
they will need to examine the back of your eye (the retina) for hormonal effects
of pregnancy on it.
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