Contact Lenses: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

Contact lenses are thin, curved pieces of plastic or glass that are worn directly on the surface of the eye to correct vision. Contact lenses are available in both soft and hard varieties.

• Soft Contact Lenses: The most popular kind of contact lens is soft contact lenses, which are made of flexible plastic. They are made to adjust to the shape of your eye, so you may enjoy superior comfort as well as clear vision while wearing them. They come in both daily disposable and extended wear varieties, with many different types available for different needs.
• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses: Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses are manufactured from a durable and oxygen-permeable substance. These lenses provide sharper vision than soft contact lenses but require more time to adjust to them since they don’t conform as easily to the shape of your eye. RGP lenses also require more care and maintenance than soft contact lenses since they need to be cleaned daily with special solutions.
• Hybrid Contact Lenses: These lenses combine the features of both soft and rigid gas permeable lenses. The centre portion is rigid like an RGP lens while the outer portion is softer like a soft lens for added comfort. They provide excellent vision correction like an RGP lens but with more comfort than traditional RGP lenses offer.

• Convenience: Contact lenses can be more convenient than glasses because they do not fog up or get in the way when you are playing sports, exercising, or engaging in other activities.
• Appearance: Contact lenses provide a more natural appearance than glasses because they sit directly on the eye and blend into the contours of your face.
• Comfort: Contact lenses are more comfortable than glasses because they do not have any frames pressing against your nose or ears.
• Better vision: Contact lenses can provide better vision than glasses because they sit directly on your eye and allow for a wider field of view and less distortion from frames or lenses.
• Protection from UV rays: Some contact lenses also offer protection from harmful UV rays which can damage your eyes over time if not protected properly.

Contact lenses are often used to treat vision disorders like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

They can also be used for cosmetic purposes to change the colour of the eyes.

They are also more comfortable to wear than eyeglasses and can be worn during activities such as swimming or sports.

The most common dangers associated with contact lenses are:

• Eye infections: Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). These infections can cause redness, irritation, and blurred vision.
• Allergic reactions: Contact lenses may cause allergic reactions due to the material used in their construction or any additional chemicals used during manufacturing or cleaning.
• Dry eyes: Wearing contact lenses can reduce tear production and cause dry eyes if not properly managed with lubricating eye drops or other treatments prescribed by an optometrist.
• Corneal abrasion: Improper insertion or removal of contact lenses can scratch the cornea, leading to a painful condition known as corneal abrasion that requires medical attention.
• Vision changes: Contact lens wear can cause long-term changes in the shape of the cornea which may lead to permanent vision changes if not monitored by an optometrist regularly.

To get ready to wear contact lenses, you need to do the following:

• Optometrists and ophthalmologists may do a thorough eye exam to evaluate whether contact lenses are suitable for you.
• Have a fitting session with your eye care professional to ensure that the contact lens fits your eye properly and comfortably.
• You should educate yourself with the right way to insert and remove your lenses, as well as the appropriate way to clean and preserve them.
• Wear your contacts for short periods of time at first until you become accustomed to them before wearing them all day long.
• Make sure that you use only the cleaning solutions recommended by your eye care professional and replace them regularly as directed.
• Follow all instructions given by your eye care professional regarding proper hygiene, cleaning, and storage of contact lenses in order to avoid infection or irritation caused by bacteria or other contaminants on the lens surface.

To use contact lenses, you must first have a contact lens fitting with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to ensure that the lenses fit correctly and provide you with the best vision possible.

After this, you must clean and disinfect your lenses each day as per manufacturer instructions.

Finally, when it's time to remove your contacts, make sure to do so gently and then store them in the appropriate solution until they can be used again.

• Before touching either the lens or your eyes, be sure that you have completely washed your hands with soap and water.
• Place the lens on the tip of your index finger so that it forms a cup-like shape between your fingertips. Make sure that the edges of the lens are not folded inwards or outwards as this could cause discomfort when inserted into the eye.
• Pull down gently on the lower eyelid with one hand and use the other hand to hold the lens in place against the upper eyelid near the tear duct (inner corner).
• Look up and slowly release the lower eyelid while blinking several times until the lens is centred over the pupil (black circle in the centre of eye). If necessary, use fingers to adjust position until it is comfortable and vision is clear.If necessary, repeat the treatment with the other eye as well.

• Wash hands thoroughly before touching contact lenses or eyes.
• Maintain your sight on the ceiling as you slowly bring the lower lid down.
• Place your index finger towards the tear duct in the inner corner of your eye.
• Slide your finger outward along the lower lid while squeezing the lens lightly between thumb and index finger.
• Remove lens from eye carefully by lifting away from face.

• Remove each contact from its case using clean fingers only.
• Rinse each side of both contacts with sterile saline solution (or multipurpose solution depending on type used).
• Do not use tap water to rinse since it may contain hazardous germs that may cause severe infections!
• Rub both sides of each contact for about 20 seconds using clean fingers; this will help remove any debris or deposits that may be present on them.
• Place contacts back into their cases filled with fresh solution; make sure caps are tightly closed after each use!

The cost of contact lenses in India varies greatly depending on the type of lens, brand, and prescription. Generally speaking, a pair of contact lenses can cost anywhere from around ₹500 to ₹10,000 or more.

• It is important to avoid eating, drinking, or touching your contact lenses with your fingers after using them. This may cause an infection by introducing germs and other pollutants into the eye.
• Instead, it is recommended that you wash your hands before handling your contact lenses, and then rinse them with sterile saline solution or a contact lens cleaning solution before putting them in.
• After removing your contacts, you should always clean and disinfect them before storing them in the case.
• Once you have finished using your contacts and cleaning them, it is safe to eat or drink as normal.

• Yes, contact lenses are generally safe if used properly.
• For optimal comfort and vision, contact lenses should only be used after being recommended by an eye doctor.
• Always follow the instructions that your doctor and the company that makes your contact lenses give you. This includes cleaning and disinfecting your contacts regularly, replacing them as recommended, and avoiding sleeping in them unless they are specifically designed for this purpose.
• In addition, it's wise not to lend or borrow your contacts from anybody else, since this might spread infection.

No. Contact lenses are not painful when worn properly. In fact, many people find contact lenses to be comfortable and easy to wear. However, if a contact lens is not properly fitted or cared for, it can cause irritation and discomfort.

• Recovery period for contact lenses varies based on the kind of lens, the individual's eye health, and how strictly they adhere to the doctor's recommendations.
• Usually, it takes between one and two weeks to completely recover from using contact lenses.
• During this period, it is essential to adhere to your doctor's instructions on lens usage and care. This includes cleaning them often and not wearing them for too long.
• Additionally, you should avoid swimming or using hot tubs while you are recovering from contact lenses.

The most common side effects of wearing contact lenses are:

• Dry eyes
• Eye irritation
• Blurry vision
• Increased sensitivity to light.
• Other potential side effects include redness, itching, infection, corneal ulcers, and decreased night vision.
• Wearing contacts can also cause eye fatigue due to the lenses being in direct contact with the eyes for long periods of time.

Contact lenses require special care and attention to ensure that your eyes stay healthy and free from infection. Aftercare for contact lenses includes:

• Cleaning: You should always wash your hands before touching your contact lenses, and you should clean them every day with a solution made just for contacts.
• Disinfection: Disinfect your contact lenses with a disinfecting solution according to the instructions on the bottle or provided by your optometrist.
• Storage: Store your contacts in a clean case with fresh solution every time you take them out of their packaging or remove them from your eyes.
• Replacement: Keep replacing your lenses at the intervals suggested by your eye doctor or as directed by the packaging. This is usually every two weeks for soft lenses, and every month for hard lenses.
• Eye Examination: Have regular eye exams to check the health of your eyes and make sure that you are wearing the right type of lens for you and that it fits properly on your eye.

Contact lenses are a great way to improve your vision, and they come with a variety of benefits. They can help you see more clearly, look more natural, and even reduce eye strain. With the right care and maintenance, contact lenses can provide you with clear vision for years to come. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to glasses or just want to give your eyes a break from time to time, contact lenses are an excellent solution.