| I have a very bad eyesight and I don't look good in | | | | and you can do irreparable damage to your eyes. |
| glasses. I want to switch to contact lenses, but there is | | | | Another problem is exposure to pollution, smoke, dust |
| a lot of talk about contact lenses causing eye infection. | | | | or pollen. Lenses tend to collect even the smallest |
| Are soft contact lenses safe? | | | | particles from the air. This causes discomfort and, quite |
| This is a very common question. Many people would | | | | often, inflammation of the cornea. If you feel that there |
| like to switch to contact lenses, but they are afraid that | | | | is something stuck between your eye and the lens, |
| this can cause diseases such as keratitis (inflammation | | | | take your lens off immediately and wash both the lens |
| of the cornea) Lets look at the dangers wearing | | | | and your eye. See additional eye health suggestions. |
| contact lenses might present and how you can avoid | | | | Sleeping in your contact lenses isn't recommended. |
| them. | | | | Contact lens manufacturers realize that people would |
| There are two main lens types - RGP (rigid gas | | | | very much like to have a lens that they can wear |
| permeable lenses) and soft contact lenses. Here we | | | | continuously for several days. They put a lot of |
| will talk about soft contact lenses, since they are the | | | | research into producing such lenses: for example, |
| most popular type. | | | | Focus Night and Day is said to be safe for 30 days of |
| Contact lenses features that can put you at risk of | | | | continuous wear, and Acuvue is designed to be worn |
| keratitis | | | | for a week. |
| The quality of your contact lenses, how much oxygen | | | | However, from your health point of view it is better to |
| they let through to your eyes and how high is the | | | | be safe than sorry; don't sleep in your lenses. Of |
| percentage of water in the lens should all be | | | | course, if you live in the mountains where the air is |
| considered. It is important to select lenses made from | | | | crystal clear, wearing your lenses for several days |
| high quality polymer with a high (more than 50%) water | | | | might be all right. But most of us live in polluted cities |
| content. Also the lenses should "breathe" - in other | | | | and travel a couple hours a day through peak hour |
| words, they should let enough oxygen through. A good | | | | traffic. Just imagine all that dust collecting between the |
| choice would be Acuvue Advance lenses or any of | | | | delicate surface of your eye and a lens for a week, or |
| the Focus contacts. Also see more suggestions on | | | | a month ... It's not a pleasant thought, is it? |
| healthy contact lenses. | | | | Early symptoms of keratitis are blurry vision (while |
| Another consideration is how the thickness of the lens. | | | | wearing lenses) and discomfort when exposed to light. |
| The more corrective power your eyes require, the | | | | If you notice these signs, don't wear your lenses and |
| thicker the lens is. A thick lens presents a higher risk of | | | | see a doctor. |
| infection. If your eyesight is very bad, RGP lenses | | | | After reading this article you probably think that soft |
| might be a better choice for you, instead of soft | | | | contact lenses are dangerous and you are better off |
| contact lenses. | | | | with your old glasses. Please don't. Modern |
| Third, having your lens properly fitted is especially | | | | brand-name contact lenses are designed to minimize |
| important. The lens shouldn't be too tight across the | | | | the risks and, if they are properly fitted, worn according |
| surface of your eye. There should be space for tears | | | | to the schedule and properly cared for, they are quite |
| between the lens and your eye. Only an experienced | | | | safe. The most important thing is to follow the advice |
| eye doctor can fit your lenses properly. You should | | | | given above and see your eye doctor immediately, if |
| never buy contact lenses without a prescription, on the | | | | you start to feel discomfort. |
| assumption that they will fit you. Most likely they won't, | | | | |