Common Contact Lens Myths - Debunked

​Feeling unsure about contact lenses? Although more than 30 million people in the United States wear contact lenses, they're still intimidating for some. Does the idea of putting something in your eye have you running for the hills?  Relax, we’re here to help. Contact lenses are one of our specialties. Read on to ease your apprehension. 

#10. CONTACT LENSES ARE UNCOMFORTABLE
Designed to be as comfortable and non-intrusive as possible, modern contact lenses are barely noticeable. Early iterations of contact lenses could be uncomfortable for some wearers because they were made of glass or hard plastic. They're now made of high-tech materials such as silicone hydrogel. With these materials, oxygen is able to enter the eye easier, nourishing the cornea and so that users often don’t even notice them.

#9. CONTACT LENSES ARE A HASSLE
Wrong! One-bottle contact lens care systems make cleaning and disinfecting your contacts simple.  You can also choose to eliminate contact lens care altogether by wearing daily disposables or 30-day extended wear contact lenses.

#8. ASTIGMATISM MEANS I CAN'T WEAR CONTACT LENSES
Modern contact lenses have come along way over the years. We are now able to cater to many different eye conditions, including astigmatism. This can actually be corrected by a wide range of toric contact lenses. Even better... astigmatism prescriptions are available for daily disposable, extended wear and monthly lenses.

#7. I'M TOO OLD TO WEAR CONTACT LENSES
Says who?There is no set age limit as to how old you can be to wear contact lenses. Contacts now come with the option of varifocal and bifocal. This means that older eyes can wear lenses, regardless of whether they require prescriptions for distance and/or reading. 

#6. I'M TOO YOUNG TO WEAR CONTACT LENSES
Similarly to the lack of an age limit on contact lenses, there is no universal age regarding when you can start wearing them. Prescribing contacts is at your own parental discretion. The maturity and capabilities of the child should be considered when deciding whether contacts are suitable for your child. Fortunately, contact lenses are very easy to maintain. Daily disposable lenses require no special storage or cleaning, making them perfect for our younger patients.

#5. CONTACT LENSES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE
Simply not true. Contact lenses can sometimes be less expensive than a good pair of eyeglasses. Even daily disposable contact lenses, once considered a luxury, can cost only about a dollar a day.

#4. CONTACT LENSES FALL OUT EASILY
Older contact lenses were composed of rigid materials, making it easy for them  to pop out of the eye during intensive activities like sports. Rigid materials also had the potential danger of damaging the eye in the event of blunt trauma. Modern lenses are designed to fit much more closely to the natural contour of the eye. This means it is very rare for them to pop off of the eye, making contact lenses a convenient option for vision correction in sports.

#3. I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET THEM IN MY EYES
Of course you will! It might seem difficult at first, but our team of eye care professionals will make sure you learn how to apply and remove your contacts before you leave the practice. Most people become adept at handling contact lenses much faster than they anticipate!

#2. CONTACT LENSES CAN GET STUCK BEHIND MY EYE
FALSE. Simply put, it is not possible for contact lenses to get stuck behind your eye. 
The Conjunctiva lines the inner eyelids, folding back on itself to cover the sclera (white of the eye). Because of this, there is physicall no way for a lens to gain access to the rear or either side of the eyeball. Phewf! 

#1. WEARING POORLY FITTED LENSES CAN DAMAGE YOUR CORNEA 
There is some truth to this one... Don't trust just anyone with your contact lens fitting! Your cornea is the part of the eye that reflects light. It is the transparent front part of the eye (the window) that covers the iris, pupil and anterior chamber. To prevent damage to the cornea, be sure to get regular eye check ups from your eye care professional to ensure you are wearing the best contact lenses for your eyes. We have many options and specifications that will guarantee your comfort and the safety of your vision.