|
Contact Lenses
Fitting Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Prescriptions
Contact Lens Complications
Caring for Contact Lenses
Fitting Contact Lenses
It is essential that contact lenses be fitted to the wearer's
eyes and vision requirements. This should be carried out by an
ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician. The eye doctor will check your eyes to ensure that you
can wear contacts. Then, he or she will determine your
prescription. This is why it is essential to visit your eye
care practitioner on a regular basis (yearly, unless
instructed otherwise by an eye doctor). Whether contact lenses
are bought mail order, online or at a retailer, it is vital
that the prescription used be up to date and accurate.
Contact lenses can be worn by any age group; however, most
professionals agree that young children should only wear
contacts if given the OK to do so from an eye care
professional. Over 90% of contact lens wearers are under the
age of 50. This is likely not only due to the rise in
availability of contact lenses over the past few decades, but
also because the vision problems experienced by younger people
are not as serious as those presented by older individuals. As
the baby boomer cohort ages, greater interest in bifocal
contacts is becoming apparent.
As eyes age, they become drier. Dry eyes can cause irritation
and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. Researchers and
manufacturers are addressing this problem with new
developments in 'wetting' RGP materials.
ALERT!
The FDA has alerted consumers about
potentially serious side effects associated with wearing
special effects contact lenses. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological
Health has advice for consumers wishing to
purchase contact lenses on the Internet.
The National Eye Institute (A
Division of the National Institutes of Health) offers
excellent resources about
vision, eye
care and contact lenses. This site is available in
both English and Spanish. The Optometrists Network
provides detailed information for parents about
children and vision care. |
