Contact lenses are thin, curved plastic disks designed to cover the eye’s cornea. Similar to a water drop on the side of a glass, contact lenses cling to the film of tears over the cornea due to surface tension. Contact lenses provide a safe and effective way to correct vision problems, both nearsighted and farsighted, when used as directed. Contact lenses are prescribed by Optometrists to specifically correct an individual’s visual impairment. Outside of surgery, contact lenses are the most popular alternative to eyeglasses. Over 24 million people in the United States now wear contact lenses.

The concept of a vision correction device fitting directly on the eye is dated back to 1508, when Leonardo da Vinci wrote of such an invention in his notebooks. However, the modern contact lense did not gain momentum again until the 1820s when vision enhancement and correction took many inventive turns. However, the weight of glass and air-circulation challenges seemed too overwhelming to be practicle for those days.

Fast-forward to 1947 when plastic revolutionized many products we know today, including contact lenses. Kevin Tuohy invented the "hard contact lense". Image-conscious people across America (particularly the acting community) favored these lenses. The device took another leap forward in 1971 with the invention of the "soft contact lense". With the help of research and marketing, contact lenses (including daily disposable style) are readily available through prescription.

Types of Contact Lenses

Your doctor will be the most qualified person to recommend contact lenses to you. However, there are three basic types of contact lenses to select from:

1. Hard: Since the invention of soft lenses, these rigid PMMA lenses are rarely used today.
2. Soft: Purchased by 75% of contact wearers, soft lenses are made of plastic that incorporates water, thereby making the lenses soft or flexible. It also allows oxygen to flow to the eye, thus ensuring the health of eye-tissue.
3. RGP: These are Rigid Gas-Permeable lens, which are similar to hard contact lenses however, RGP’s allow oxygen to flow through to the eye.

Regardless of the type of lens you wear, it is strongly recommended that you remove contact lenses every evening prior to bedtime. Over-the-counter cleansing solution should be used to ensure your lens is free of bacteria and dirt prior to placing them back into your eye. The risk of eye infection is high when you leave your contact lenses in too long or fail to clean them.

After using contact lenses, should you experience problems with your eyes such as blurry vision, scratchy feeling, pain or extreme redness, you should see your doctor immediately.

Contact lenses and solution can be purchased online from 1-800 Contacts or Lens World, some of the most trusted online contact lens providers. They offer name brand lenses at significant savings off standard retailers price and offer you convenient shipping directly to your home.

Tips for Contact Lens Care

• To prevent bacteria and infections, contact lenses must be properly cleaned and disinfected
• When using your contact lenses, you should thoroughly rinse the case with warm water and allow it to dry.
• Never put your lens in your mouth and then use in your eye.
• Only use professionally manufactured contact lens cleaning solution; never use home-made solution.
• Do not mix different brands of solutions.
• Consult your doctor before using any type of eye drops, as they may interact negatively with your contact lenses.
• Wash your hands with soap prior to handling contact lenses or touching your eye.
• Do not share your lenses with other people, even relatives.
• Do not take your lenses in and out repeatedly throughout the day.
• Only use prescribed lenses for your specific eyes and only for the schedule that your doctor recommends.
• Dispose of your lenses when prescribed by your doctor (average length for contact lenses is 2 – 4 weeks).