Contact lenses are an excellent alternative to eyeglasses. They can be more convenient and often less expensive in the long run. But what is a contact lens? How are they made? What’s this ‘refractive error’ you keep hearing about? How do they work? New users struggle with these questions. Worry not because this guide covers everything you need to know, such as how to purchase lenses from verified manufacturers like Acuvue. Read on for more information!
What is a Contact Lens?
A contact lens is a medical device placed on the eye’s surface to correct vision problems. They are also used as protection from injury and infection and are made out of plastic or silicone.
How are They Made?
Contact lenses are made from various materials, including polymers and hydrogels. Polymers are soft, flexible plastics that hold their shape. Hydrogels are more rigid than polymers and absorb water to become soft and swellable.
The material used for your contact lens depends on the lens you need: a hard or soft contact lens. Extended wear or daily wear? A coloured or clear lens? Once your doctor writes you a prescription, it’s up to the manufacturer to create the exact right shape using whichever type of material they deem most appropriate for your specific needs.
What is a ‘Refractive Error’?
Most people don’t realize that the most common vision problem is a refractive error. Refractive errors are conditions in which the eye cannot focus light properly, and glasses or contact lenses usually correct them.
It occurs when the shape of the eye’s cornea (the transparent dome-like front part) or lens isn’t suitable for focusing light onto your retina (the back part of your eye). You all have a certain amount of refractive error because your eyes constantly change as you grow and age. These changes can be caused by anything from hitting your heads too hard to getting old to even have allergies!
How Do They Work?
Contact lenses are a corrective vision aid placed directly on the cornea. They are held in place by a thin film of water that forms a layer between the eye and the lens. The most common reasons for wearing contact lenses include the following:
- Correcting vision problems, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, presbyopia and other conditions affecting vision
- Changing eye colour by tinting it to match your natural iris colour
Tips for Purchasing Contact Lenses
- Get a prescription: If your vision is a concern, contact lenses will only help you if they’re the correct size. If you don’t have a prescription, ask your eye doctor for one, and they will determine which lens size will work best for your eyesight.
- Get a fitting: You don’t want to leave anything up to chance when it comes to something as important as your sight, so make sure that your optician has spent enough time with you during this process. Purchase your lenses from verified companies like Acuvueto avoid any alternate issues like allergies.
- Get follow-up care regularly (at least once per year): Since this is such an essential part of making sure that everything is working properly, contact lenses must receive regular checkups every six months in order not only to maintain optimal comfort but also to keep an eye out for any potential problems arising from their use in general.
Maintenance of Contact Lenses
- Keep your contact lenses clean.
- Store them in their case after each use, and keep the case safe and free from dust and debris.
Never wear your contact lenses when swimming or showering, as they can easily get damaged by chlorine and other chemicals found in pools or tap water. If you plan on wearing your contacts while swimming, check whether it’s safe beforehand—many people find it easier to wear glasses instead! And remember, never wear your contact lenses for more than eight hours at a time!