Vision Eyecare Lasik Health and Medical News/Updates

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about contact lenses (and the answers of course!) which may help those who are new to contacts as well as existing users who may have some queries. 

Is a prescription required for contact lenses?

A prescription from your eye-doctor is required before you will be supplied with contact lenses, even if you are only interested in coloured contacts or special effect contacts and don’t need vision correcting lenses.

How old do you have to be to wear contacts ?

Anyone can wear contact lenses (they’ve even been prescribed for newborn babies who may have vision problems), but your eye doctor and yourself will make a carefully considered decision about whether contacts are the right option for your particular child, depending on circumstances.

Can contacts be worn during sports, eg swimming?

Most sporting activities are possible with contact lenses.  If physical contact is involved and if it’s a particularly energetic sport, then soft lenses are preferable.  With swimming, it’s advisable to swim with firmly sealed goggles otherwise you run the risk of losing your contacts if they float out.  The water in the pool may contain chlorine which can cause irritation and possible infection, plus the lenses can absorb the water from the pool and adhere firmly to the eye, making them difficult to dislodge. 

Is there any truth to the comment that lenses can ‘fall out’ of an eye?

No, with normal use, contact lenses won’t simply fall-out of the eye.  However, in very rare instances such as a knock to the head – the lens can fall out.

Can my lenses ever travel ‘behind’ my eye?

No – it’s impossible for a contact lens to go beyond the eye’s front surface.  Lenses can get dislodged from their position and go under the eyelid, so if you have problems with this, best to see your eye specialist. 

Do lenses block UV rays ?

Some contact lenses do block some of the ultraviolet radiation, but are not totally effective. 

How long can I use a set of lenses for?

There are three different types of contacts – hard lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses and soft lenses.  Regular contacts can be worn for anything from 12 – 24 months whilst disposable ones are effective for between two and eight weeks, but your eye-care professional will advise more accurate timespans. 

Can I wear contacts whilst sleeping?

Some extended wear contacts can be worn for days – whilst other daily use ones have to be taken out before going to bed.  It is advisable to get professional advice, say a leading supplier of contact lenses in Perth, Student Contact Lenses as different lenses do have different usage requirements.

I wear bifocal glasses – is it possible to get similar contact lenses?

Yes

If I have astigmatism, is it still possible to wear contacts?

Yes

If you want to find out whether contact lenses are for you or if you have any other queries about any other eye issues, be it vision-correcting glasses, diagnosis of eye problems or just buying a pair of Oakley sunglasses, Perth professionals Student Contact Lenses are the people to call.