I've been wearing contact lenses for what seems like forever, and it's become entirely second nature to me. Wake up, brush my teeth, put my contacts in. But I remember when this wasn't so, when the idea of putting anything on my eyeball was enough to make me on my dreaded glasses.
Luckily, I came to understand contacts and how to use them properly, and my quality of life has improved tremendously as a result. Of course, contact lenses aren't for everybody- and you should speak with your local eye doctor to find out what's best in your situation. In any case, it is always best to be informed, especially when making a decision about something as important as your sight.
Contact lenses have become so popular because they correct vision without the need for wearing glasses and without surgery. There is a great variety available to treat a number of vision problems- including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia, or difficulty focusing on close-up objects.
Even people with perfect vision have been popping in lenses recently, as colored contacts have become increasingly popular. Opaque lenses are used when people desire a complete color change (for istance, from brown to blue) , while tinted lenses are more appropriate for adding to a light natural eye color. Whether you want to change your eye color for a special occasion, try out something crazy for a costume party, or just intensify the natural color you already have- colored contacts are a great way to experiment with different looks while providing all the benefits of vision correction- if, of course, you need it in the first place.
There are tons of differet contact lenses to choose from, suited to provide the most comfort and practicality for the wearer. Lenses can be soft or hard, with softer lenses more permeable to oxygen and harder lenses more durable and longer lasting. However, despite soft lenses' vulnerability to tear, they are oftentimes found more comfortable to wear.
The duration for which lenses are worn also vary- some can be worn overnight and for weeks at a time, known as extended wear. But others are worn for shorter periods of time before being discarded.
Because these are your eyes we're talking about, it's always important to handle your contacts with the utmost sanitation and care. Follow instructions given to you by your doctor, and also abide by common sense rules; clean your contacts with solution according to directions, and wash hands before handling lenses.
In order to get contact lenses, you need to speak with your doctor and obtain a prescription. Eye exams should also be kept regular, so that contact lens wear can be monitored and any tweaks to your prescription can be made.
With proper wear and care, contact lenses can be completely life changing. Sight without glasses is liberating, enabling you to jump around on the dance floor, pop on a pair of sunglasses, and get aggressive in that soccer math- all without worrying about your glasses.