If you buy contact lenses, especially over the phone, by mail, or through the Internet, you have to know some important things to protect yourself and your money. While such purchases are often a convenient and economical way to get lenses, it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. The following questions and answers should help you take simple precautions to make your Internet, phone or mail purchase safe and effective for you.
When you buy contact lenses, first ask yourself if your contact lens prescription is current or updated. This is a must. Never buy or order contact lenses with an expired prescription. If you have not had a check-up in the last one to two years, you might have problems with your eyesight that you're not immediately aware of. In these cases, your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.
Ordering lenses without a updated and authentic prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. Furthermore, contact lenses that haven't been fitted properly by a doctor will not work well, or worse, might do more damage to your eyesight.
A authentic prescription for contact lenses should include your name, the name of your doctor, and the brand and material of your contact lens. Lens measurements such as power, diameter and base curve are included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, whether lenses are for daily or extended wear, the number of refills , and an expiration date. These all depend on the local laws of the state you're in, as state laws often define a prescription's requirements.
Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they may check the prescription with your doctor. If they receive a verbal okay, they comply with the Federal prescription device regulation. If the company does not check, then they have not obtained a authentic prescription. Some state laws require that a written prescription be presented.
You won't get into any legal trouble if you buy contact lenses by mail, phone, or through the Internet without a authentic prescription. This means, however, that the store is selling you those contact lenses as if they were an OTC (over the counter) product. This will be in violation of FDA regulations. Some Internet sites will allow you to fill out a chart with the ordering information about your contact lenses, your doctor's name and contact number.
Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Get the manufacturer's written patient information for the lenses you buy, which will give you important risk/benefit information, as well as instructions for use. Be wary of stores where they attempt to exchange a different brand from the one you are using right now. There are differences in the water content and shape between different brands. When you get the lenses, check to see if the store gave you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). In cases where you received the incorrect lenses, contact your doctor immediately and get his approval first before using them.
You've seen in the movies and videos, how the raggedy girl becomes a princess just by the touch of a makeover. More recently, the reality show ?Beauty and the Geek? showcases the men wearing bulky eyeglasses. With contact lenses, a set of new clothes and a cool hairstyle, the men are transformed into hunks.
That's what contact lenses initially offer ? the confidence of looking good outside. But aside from their aesthetic quality, they serve a more important purpose. Contact lenses are used for correcting vision or aiding poor vision without the bulky eyewear to deal with.
But are contact lenses for you? If you like to change your eye color, lenses are a safe and fun way to do that. If you lead a very active lifestyle and find eyewear a hassle, you can get contact lenses according to your needs. If you are afraid to go under corrective laser eye surgery, the best alternative is lenses.
So what's the first step? Just like getting your eyeglasses, contact lenses need a prescription. It is advisable to visit your ophthalmologist or optometrist. You have to do this even if you do not have vision problems and only want something for show.
Why? This is because contact lenses are considered medical devices requiring the approval of an eye doctor. In the United States, buying lenses needs a prescription. This is done to prevent any damage to your healthy eyes and ensures a safe use of the product.
Those most users have no risk in using prescribed contact lenses; there are a few who may have a bad reaction to it. That is why people must consult a doctor before wearing lenses bought from the counter.
Wearing contact lenses can be tricky especially for new users. Here are a few tips on using your contact lenses:
1. Do not wear contact lenses longer than what was prescribed. There are lenses that last up to seven days without needing to be removed or cleaned. The disposable ones are what you should be worried about.
2. Regularly make a cleaning of your contact lenses. You may have a blurred vision if you do not keep your lenses clean.
3. If eyes become red or irritated, take off your contact lenses and visit your eye doctor immediately.
4. Do not swap contact lenses with anyone. Your lenses are unique to your alone and even if you find one that matches your prescription; you expose yourself to bacteria from the other user.
5. Use only FDA approved lenses. When something goes wrong with the product, you are protected by law and can sue the company.
Remember that lenses still have to be cleaned. A proper routine is the key to extending the life of your contact lenses. Use the CRD ? cleanse, rinse and disinfect the lenses after removal and before you put them on. The basic solution sometimes cannot handle the dirt on the lenses.
As a part of this routine, wash your hands with soap and rinse it well before handling your lenses. Dirt is transferable. Contact lens solutions are there to help maintain the eyewear so try to be as fastidious about using it. Never use saliva on your lenses.
Wearing contact lenses need not be a hard for you. The lenses provide you with ease and the luxury of being a nerd looking like one. Princes or not, when you have lenses around it certainly makes a difference.
Both Azlan & Khieng Chho are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Azlan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Fathers Day and K 15. Ray Hawkins is a researcher and writer working for , which is a reliable so. Azlan's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
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