If you are thinking about making the switch to contact lenses, we’re here to help.

Are there special occasions when you would prefer not to wear glasses? Do you find glasses get in the way when you play sports? Contact lenses can be used intermittently for special occasions, while participating in sports or to match your fashion style, while glasses may suit your everyday needs better for activities like work or school.

Many people wear contact lenses without any problems or complications, and new materials and lens care technologies have made today’s contact lenses more comfortable, safe, and easy to wear.

Here are some commonly asked questions when thinking about whether contacts are right for you.

What are contact lenses?

• Contact lenses are small silicone or plastic discs that are placed on your eye to help you see.
• Contact lenses are designed to rest on the clear outer surface of the eye called the cornea. They are held in place mainly by clinging to the tears that covers the front of the eye.
• They act in a similar way to glasses in that they act as the initial optical element of the eye.
• Contact lenses are used to correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

What are the advantages of wearing contact lenses?

• Wearing contact lenses allows people to see your eyes better. Some people don’t like their appearance in glasses.
• Contact lenses may allow better vision correction as there is no obstruction that usually comes from eyeglass frames.
• They provide excellent peripheral vision, unlike glasses.
• They don’t fog up when you come in out of the cold.
• They don’t get in the way during sports and other recreational activities.

What are the disadvantages?

• Contact lenses can take time to get used to. New soft lens wearers typically adjust to their lenses within a week. Rigid lenses generally require a longer adjustment period.
• Almost all lenses require regular cleaning and disinfection, excluding some daily disposable varieties. Although this will only take a few minutes out of your day, some people may find this too much to fit into their routine.
• Contact lenses must be inserted and removed on a daily basis.

Contact lens wear may not be recommended if:

• Your eyes are severely irritated due to allergies;
• You work in an environment with lots of dust and chemicals;
• You have an overactive thyroid, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe arthritis in your hands; or,
• Your eyes are overly dry due to a medical condition, pregnancy or medications you are taking.

The best way to work out if contact lenses are a good option for you is with a thorough eye examination by your doctor of optometry. They can talk to you about your suitability for contact lenses and the specific contact lens options that best meets your needs.