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Common Contact Lens Myths - Debunked

3/14/2018

7 Comments

 

​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. 
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#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. 

7 Comments
Polyamory Washington link
1/19/2023 03:19:47 pm

Thankks for a great read

Reply
Mia Evans link
2/1/2023 07:07:04 pm

It's great to know that we can also get faster and more adept at wearing contact lenses eventually. I hope that I can be that comfortable soon once I get one for myself this weekend, because it will be easier to move if I have no glasses if ever I need help with my vision now. It's just started to become blurry in my observation ever since I turned 30.

Reply
Millie Hue link
2/10/2023 02:47:02 am

It's great to know that contact lenses will never get stuck at the back of our eyelids because of the conjunctiva lines that fold back on themselves. I guess I have the confidence now to wear one so that I will look good when wearing a long gown. It will be perfect for the wedding that I will be attending to as a part of the entourage.

Reply
lysine link
2/24/2025 08:00:35 am

Many people hesitate to try them due to outdated misconceptions, but modern lenses are truly comfortable, convenient, and accessible for all ages. The improvements in materials, like silicone hydrogel, make a huge difference in comfort and eye health. Plus, daily disposables eliminate the hassle of cleaning! Thanks for sharing these insights. Definitely a must-read for anyone considering contact lenses.

Reply
moringa tea benefits link
4/15/2025 12:51:32 am

This is beautifully written and so honest! Midwifery is full of these moments where you have to balance empathy and efficiency. The way you describe resisting the urge to take over during a baby's first nappy change is so relatable. It’s a crucial part of newborn care education for first-time parents, but it can be tough when you're pressed for time. These shared experiences are so valuable for building understanding in maternal care.

Reply
Burlington insurance Brokers link
4/22/2025 07:18:59 am

Love how you addressed the age myths! So many parents wonder if their kids are too young for lenses — but daily disposables really do make it easier. Great info for anyone considering contact lenses for their child.

Reply
oakville orthodontist link
4/22/2025 07:30:58 am

Wow, I had no idea how advanced contact lenses have become! It's amazing that even people with astigmatism can now wear daily disposable toric lenses. Super informative post – definitely helped clear up a lot of common myths.

Reply



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    Dr. Andrew Biondo, Optometrist at Kirkwood Eye Associates in Saint Louis, Missouri.

    Author

    Andrew Biondo, OD, FSLS is the Primary Medical Director at Kirkwood Eye Associates in Kirkwood, MO. Serving the greater St. Louis area, Dr. Biondo has 12 years of experience as an eye care provider, health educator & consultant to the specialty contact lens industry. His special interests include contact lenses, dry eye disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, laser eye surgery & preventive vision care. 

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    • Eye Care >
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      • Ovitz Scleral Lenses
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