A contact lens is a kind of therapeutic lens positioned on the eye lens for correcting the vision of the patient. It is a replacement to the age-old spectacles. Contact lenses usually serve the same purpose as the glasses or spectacles do. The major difference is the comfort level between the two. Contact lenses are very light in weight and are almost invisible when dipped in the solution specially made for them. Many of the commercial lenses have a faint blue color so that they are visible when put in solution. Contact lenses also come in various colors, which can change the color of your eye.
According to a study, it has been found that a staggering 130 million people use contact lenses all over the world. Out of this, around, 40 million people who suffer from less vision opt for contact lenses in United States alone. There are many reasons why so many of us have opted for the contact lenses. It gives them more comfort than those glasses, which are always there with you where ever you go! Apart from convenience, contact lenses give a better vision and have a wider field. They are less affected by wet weather, do not steam up and require less care than the glasses.
The material of the contact lenses has changed from time to time and has developed a shape for giving more of comfort to the eye. The first contact lenses were made from glass, which caused eye irritation, and so were not able to be worn for longer periods and were a failure. However, a transition came up when a doctor by the name of Dr. William Fein bloom made lenses out of a plastic material called polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA. This material was far much more easy and comfortable for use. These are the hard types of contact lenses as they are referred to today.
These rigid lenses prevailed for more than 150 years among the consumers but never became as popular as the new soft contact lenses. The recent development in the field of contact lenses or the hydro gel lenses in the year 1960's was a major breakthrough. The polymers from which soft lenses are made have definitely improved in quality. It has been made permeable to oxygen content providing more breathing space to eye muscle and thus more comfort.
One should take care of the contact lenses he is using. Proper washing of the lenses by the medicated solution every night is very important for the long life of the lenses.
Vision correction is truly a marvelous thing. Without it, our ancestors's lives were far more restricted by age and accidents of birth than ours are. Introduction of eye glasses and movable type printing press to Europe about seven hundred years ago caused a major upturn in technology, industry, and population.
Modern contact lenses, soft and hydrophilic, are easy to wear and convenient. However, spectacles still offer a wider range of vision correction and safety.
The right answer depends on many factors, such as age, eye prescription, work and play environments, peer pressure, and finances. It is rather common for persons to rely on both contacts and spectacles at different times, or to use both for vision plus safety.
There is one case where contact lenses are very definitely superior to spectacles, and that is after cataract surgery. Without the natural lens, or an implanted replacement, the eye can only focus at distance, if at all. Spectacles would be very thick and heavy, even with plastic lenses. Corneal contact lenses or Intraocular Lens implants can feel nearly natural.
Single vision corrections are the most common. With aging, multi focus corrections become progressively important for most folks, because the eyes lose elasticity. For single focus, contacts give the wider view, but for multi focus the advantage can be with spectacles tailored to have different prescriptions in different areas. Bi and Tri focal glasses are antiques compared to modern progressive lenses. Contact lenses are improving for multi focus, but still lack the range of spectacles. Also, cylindrical correction for different angles around the pupil (astigmatism) can be degraded if a contact lens moves off center of cornea or rotates.
One of the mysteries is that many people get around multi focus correction by wearing a "near" contact in one eye and a "far" lens in the other. Two mono focus contacts or wearing spectacles with contacts were the only answers until fairly recent years. The two focus approach can seriously degrade vision at some distances, can cause greater fatigue in one eye depending on the activity, and can drive some people up the wall. Multi focus contacts are thicker than single vision, as well as more costly. Quite obviously, the optimum choice of these contact types or spectacles will depend on the user. Some wearers will experience lost depth perception at all distances.
For sun protection, spectacles offer tint, anti glare, anti UV, and polarization filters. Contacts can't be polarized, can have anti glare, and some claim anti UV. At best, contacts only protect the cornea, so spectacles offer best protection against bright light and ultra violet.
Assuming the prescriptions are available in both contacts and spectacles, what about cost? Quite frankly, the dispensed price often has little to do with wholesale costs. Prices for "fashion" spectacles and sunglasses are often like jewelry.
It turns out that contacts are often cheaper than spectacles, provided that both lens types can handle the prescription. This is especially true since the Federal Law, called the "Fairness To Contact Lens Consumers", went into effect on February 4th, 2004. No longer can an eye care professional deny you a copy of your prescription, nor prevent you from purchasing via mail or internet.
Get your fittings from a local professional. Get your contacts or spectacles according to your convenience, price, and delivery time. Web stores now offer contact lenses at 70 percent off list price and the option of 3 day delivery.
A poet remarked that contacts are better than spectacles for "walking in the rain or making love." They can also be better for people with low self confidence, such as children subject to much name calling.
Both Linda Polansky & Dr. Don Miller 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.
Linda Polansky has sinced written about articles on various topics from Eyewear, Anger Control and Women. Linda Polansky writes about , EyeCare products Coupons and. Linda Polansky's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Dr. Don Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wellness, Eyewear and Modelling. For more articles about safe and enjoyable use of contact lenses and spectacles, see