About contact lenses
Contact lenses are small, round and transparent pieces of usually plastic material with the main purpose of substituting glasses in people who have problems with vision. Today, there are cosmetic contact lenses too, used for decorative purposes only.
The main types of lenses available are soft lenses and rigid gas permeable or RGP lenses. Hard lenses or PMMA lenses are today rarely used and there are also large scleral lenses designed for particular eye conditions.
Contact lenses have several significant advantages over the glasses which is why today many people prefer them. Some people switch from glasses to lenses daily, depending on what they feel like wearing, but there are also those who find glasses to be much simpler and easier to use than lenses. It is largely a matter of personal preferences, although in some cases the medical aspect also plays a role in deciding what is the better option.
Some types of contact lenses are made for daily wear and they allow intermittent wear, for example over weekends. Soft lenses usually need to be replaced occasionally, for example every few weeks or every few months, while RPG lenses can be used for years.
Extended wear glasses, which are usually soft, do not have to be removed during night and they are usually replaced after one week.
When deciding whether to start using lenses or what type of lenses is the best, it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. It is also recommended to consider the downsides and potential problems that may arise from using contact lenses.
Eye problems associated with contact lenses
Infection is one of the most common problems associated with contact lenses. Lenses need to be removed and cleaned using special solutions and then stored in special cases. If handling is not done according to the instructions, for example if sanitary requirements are not met, there is a great chance of eye infection.
Irritation is another common issue with contact lenses. For example, if the lenses are worn too long, the eyes may become sore, red and itchy. Abrasions or scratches on the cornea may also result from insufficient oxygen supply to the eye and from dirt particles stuck between the lens and the cornea. In women, makeup sometimes gets under the lens, which also leads to irritation.
Infection or prolonged irritation due to the use of contact lenses may lead to some serious eye conditions, such as corneal ulcer.
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