1. A Little Piece of Plastic With a Big Job
A contact lens is a thin piece composed of various plastics placed directly over your pupil to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. There are many different types of contacts, including Toric (for astigmatism), bifocal (for people who are both nearsighted and farsighted) and spherical (most popular). You can also wear contacts if you want to change your eye color. No matter what your reason, you need a prescription from an eye doctor to get contacts. The prescription must correct your vision problem and perfectly fit your eyes.
2. Keep Them Clean
Lipids and proteins, which are natural products in tears, build up on contacts and cause discomfort. They can also provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Clean your contacts according to your eye doctor's recommendations to prevent infection and, in worst case scenarios, damage to your eyes. Properly cleaning your contacts also extends the life of the contacts. If you're using disposable contact lenses, make sure you dispose of them according to the schedule suggested by your care provider. Some contacts are disposed of daily, others weekly and others monthly.
3. Sticking It in Your Eye
The first time you insert contacts can be scary. Try practicing a few times without your lens to get your fingers in the right spots. Wash your hands before touching your eyes or contacts to prevent infection. Place your contact on your middle finger and hold your eye open with the fingers and thumb of your other hand. Look up and place the contact into your eye. If you miss or the contact falls off, rinse it thoroughly before trying again.
4. Contacts Should Be Comfortable
While millions of people wear contact lenses without difficulties, there are some things you need to watch for. Some people report dryness in their eyes with contacts; you may need artificial tears. Make sure you put your contacts into the correct eye. Proper vision with contacts is dependent on the right prescription, and you may need a different prescription for each eye. If your contacts are uncomfortable, pull them out. Make sure they're not inside out and rinse them thoroughly with proper solution. If they're still uncomfortable, see your eye doctor.
5. Get Them Discounted
You can purchase your contacts at a discount from sources other than your eye doctor, such as 1-800-Contacts. But you must have a current prescription to purchase your contacts from these companies. If you choose this option, remember that the fit of your contact lenses can be extremely complex for some people. Discount contact lens dealers may not have these lenses or may suggest substitutes. The FDA recommends your eye doctor as the only person who can suggest substitutes.
