A number of options exist for those seeking correction of poor eyesight. Myopia, or near-sightedness, and presbyopia, or far-sightedness, can both be addressed through the use of corrective lenses or surgery. Eyeglasses appeal to those who are attracted by the vast range of stylish eyewear options available for purchase at optometry retailers. Glasses have certain advantages in that they don’t require sterilization or the use of soaking solutions. Surgery appeals to persons who are willing to go under the knife in order to achieve a permanent solution. Contact lenses are appealing for a variety of other reasons.
Appearance
As a matter of personal taste, some people admire the look of eyeglasses, while others feel more confident without glasses. Dr. J.J. Walline and colleagues of the Ohio State University of Optometry studied quality-of-life measurements in children and teenage eyeglass wearers who switched to contact lenses. The study, published in the journal Eye & Contact Lens in November 2007, found that the contact lenses did not change the level of visual acuity experienced by the study subjects, but contact lens use resulted in a dramatic improvement in both personal feelings about appearance and satisfaction with the quality of the visual correction among the subjects surveyed.
Visual Advantages
The website AllAboutVision.com describes the advantages of contact lenses in an article geared toward athletes, but these same qualities could be considered attractive to anyone with a visual impairment. Eyeglass frames can obstruct vision around the lenses, and peripheral vision may be inadequately served by eyeglasses, while contact lenses shift with the eye to accommodate the entire field of vision. Eyeglasses can move out of place while walking or running, causing obscured vision. Weather disturbances such as rain or fog can blur eyeglass lenses, whereas contact lenses remain relatively unaffected by weather changes.
Less Risk of Injury
Impact to the face can cause eyeglasses to shatter and injure the face and eyes. Contact lenses do not have the same disadvantage.
Corneal Reshaping
In addition to providing immediate correction of eyesight, contact lenses can actually aid in reshaping the cornea so as to decrease dependence on corrective lenses in patients with myopia. AllAboutVision.com describes corneal reshaping treatment involving special contact lenses, a process called orthokeratology. The visual correction is temporary but is effective in reshaping the cornea to such a degree that a patient can see without the use of glasses or contact lenses for at least a day following each treatment. Some orthokeratology lenses can be worn overnight, allowing patients to reshape their corneas while sleeping.
