Dispelling Contact Lens Myths

When it comes to contact lenses, many people have misconceptions about their wear, comfortable, availability and modality. Often contact lens advice is given from a friend who wears them and is experienced rather than talking to your optometrist.

Myth 1: I have the “Stigamatism”

Regardless of the amount of astigmatism you have in your prescription, there is a contact lens made to fit you. You may be challenged with wearing a material that is not your first choice, or you may give up a bit of clarity for the convenience of contact lenses, but your prescription is made. In fact, daily disposable soft contacts have seen a large expansion of perimeters in the past two years. If It’s not made in the daily modality, it is made in the monthly re-usable modality.

Myth 2: I need bifocals

Many patients believe that a multifocal is not available in contacts. In fact, the multifocals available today are easier to adapt to than progressive addition eyeglass lenses. Both daily lenses and reusable soft lenses are avail- able in perimeters to correct your near vision. Scleral lenses are also available with a reading power to make near work less frustrating.

Myth 3: I always have to wear them

If I am fit in contact lenses, I have to wear them Every. Single. Day. Who made up this rule? Contact lenses gives you the flexibility in your activities. If you don’t want to wear your glasses to work out, to go on a night out, special occasions, or just so you can wear your sunglasses on vacation, contact lenses are perfect. Contact lenses can be worn part time or even just a few hours in the day. Fashion, function, and comfort are just a few great reason to embrace contact lens wear.

Myth 4: Contact lenses are too expensive

Contact lens specials offered inhouse can be cheaper than what is purchased online. For example, a promotion offered at North Coast eye Care, offers dailies lenses for an annual cost of $190.00. This cost is only $10 more than the annual cost of a monthly reusable lens. In this example dailies are similar in cost to their reusable counterpart. With dailies, you also don’t need to worry about buying multi-purpose solution used for cleaning. Soft contact lenses can range from $2.00 a day to $4.00 a day to wear. If your budget is lower, you may wear lenses part time to reduce your cost.

Myth 5: I am too old for contact lenses

It is true that the number one reason people stop wearing contacts is due to dryness and discomfort. However, the contact lens industry has created some high quality, highly wettable materials in the past three years. These lenses are made in the multifocal options so you can read with them too! You’re never too old to learn to wear contact lenses. You will be training how to insert and remove and care for the lenses before you go home with them. Contact lenses can offer adults new freedoms that glasses can offer. Can you imagine not having to wipe your eyeglasses after they fog up in either extreme hot or cold temperatures?

Ask your eye care professional if you are a good candidate for contact lenses, the answer may surpise you.