When to Replace Contact Lenses?

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There are many different kinds of contact lenses on the market these days. You can choose from hard contact lenses, soft lenses, colored lenses, extended wear lenses, one-day lenses and more. The decision about which brand of contact lens to wear and what kind is between you and your eye doctor in Coldwater. But the decision about when to replace contact lenses is one that will be informed by the kind of lenses you wear as well as their condition.

Replace Lenses if They are Damaged

One time when you absolutely must replace your contact lenses is if they become damaged. Each time you go to put your contact lenses in, give the lens a close visual inspection. Look for any protein deposits on the surface of the lens. If you’ve been cleaning them properly and using the correct cleaning solution, you shouldn’t have any protein deposits. Still, if you see any small white specs on the lens that don’t rinse off, this is likely a protein deposit. Another thing to look for is any kind of divot or piece of the contact that’s missing. As contact lenses begin to disintegrate, they often will tear or have a small piece out of the edge of the lens. If you detect either of these two issues, discard the contact lens and replace it with a new one. Never try to “get by” wearing a damaged lens, as this could cause damage to your eye.

Replace Lenses if Your Prescription is a Year Old or More

Another time when you should certainly replace your contact lenses is if your prescription is a year old or more. Even if you feel that you can see perfectly fine with your old contact lens prescription, you need to schedule a visit with your eye doctor in Coldwater. The reason is that changes in your vision may be nearly undetectable to you, but your eye doctor will be able to tell. It’s important that you always wear contact lenses with a recent prescription in order to protect your vision. Get your new prescription and then get fitted with new contact lenses. Make sure you toss your old lenses; don’t try keeping them as a backup pair!

The best way to ensure your eye health at home is to replace contact lenses when any of the issues mentioned above come up. Talk to your eye doctor in Coldwater today for more details.

 

Can Children Wear Contact Lenses?

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At Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS, we treat patients of all ages, including children. We offer eye exams for children and we carry a wide variety of eyeglasses that your child will be proud to wear. However, one of the questions that we get asked is if children can wear contact lenses.

Some Contact Lenses Are Therapeutic

There has been an exciting new development in contact lenses. There are now lenses that are actually recommended for some children in order to prevent myopia or nearsightedness. These are Ortho-K lenses. Since myopia is partially caused by misshapen eyes, Ortho-K contact lenses can help to prevent this “mis-growth” from occurring. Talk to your vision care professional to see if this is an option for your child.

The Child Must be Mature Enough

Contact lenses require a certain amount of maturity to wear and take care of them. If your child doesn’t properly care for their lenses, eye infection and damage can occur. For instance, most lenses must be cleaned and disinfected daily. As a parent, you have to ask yourself if your child is likely to do this. If you still need to nag your child about washing their face and brushing their teeth nightly, it’s unlikely they’ll have what it takes to ensure their contact lenses are properly disinfected before putting them in each day.

Furthermore, is your child likely to lose their lenses? Contacts have to be placed in their case when not worn, not inside a clump of tissue inside a backpack. Of course, you can always opt for daily wear lenses, which can be thrown away after each use. This is a decision that needs to be discussed with you, your child and your Coldwater Vision Center eyecare professional.

The short answer is that yes, children can and do wear contact lenses. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be easier to have your younger child wear eyeglasses until they exhibit a level of maturity that shows they’re ready for contact lenses.

For more information about corrective eyewear for your children, please contact Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS today. We’re here to help with all of your family’s vision needs.

 

What Are The Various Types of Contact Lenses?

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Your eye doctor in Coldwater may recommend contact lenses for nearsightedness and farsightedness. Wearing contact lenses is usually means more convenience and better vision. But did you know that when it comes to contact lenses, there is a wide range of choices? Here are the various types of contact lenses to be aware of so that you and your eye doctor can choose the best option for your particular needs:

Soft Contact Lenses

Statistics have shown that millions of people wear contact lenses in the country. Out of those, a significant number wear soft contact lenses. Some of the reasons for their popularity include comfort, flexibility, and comfort. Because soft contact lenses are flexible, they offer more comfort and can usually be worn for longer hours. Almost anyone who can wear contact lenses, in general, can wear soft contact lenses.

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Gas permeable lenses are a form of hard lenses. Since it’s important for the eyes to have access to the air, gas permeable lenses allow a certain amount of airflow. This ensures that the eyes remain healthy, even if hard lenses are worn all day long. Many people choose hard lenses that are gas permeable because they are considered more durable than soft lenses. They are also appropriate for certain kinds of prescriptions as recommended by your eye care professional

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses can be worn for up to 30 days. This has become possible due to the advancement of technology. The main criteria used for these types of lenses are oxygen permeability. When you sleep, the cornea can only get oxygen from the blood vessels in your eyelids. Extended wear lenses are best suited for those with unpredictable lifestyles and for certain kinds of prescriptions.

Disposable Contact Lenses

Disposable contact lenses are for single-use and made to be disposed of daily. This ensures that the wearer always has a fresh pair of contact lenses to wear. This type of contact lens is thinner and more comfortable, but less durable.

All of the various types of contact lenses mentioned above also offer an additional option, which is coloring. With the aid of contact lenses, wearers can alter the color of their eyes, which is a fun and convenient beauty aid. Talk to your eye doctor in Coldwater today about which type of contact lens is right for you!

 

Adjusting to Your New Contact Lenses: Tips for Success

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You have finally gotten your new contact lenses so you do not have to rely on your glasses every day to see. As many advantages that come along with contacts, you may also have a brief period of adjustment to go through when you initially begin wearing them. Take a look at a few tips for success to help you adjust easier to your new contact lenses.

1. Remember to not feel intimidated by the process.

The more you can relax, the easier it will be to get adjusted to your new contact lenses. It can be a little intimidating to be poking something into your eye on a daily basis; that’s an understandable thing. However, contact lenses are perfectly safe as long as you follow your doctor’s guidelines.

2. Keep your eyes and body well hydrated.

The more hydrated your eyes are, including the contact lenses, the more comfortable you will be with the lenses in place. Your eye doctor will give you eye drops to help keep your eyes hydrated, but do your part as well by making sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day.

3. Make sure you keep your contact lenses as clean as possible.

Clean contact lenses are less likely to irritate the eyes. If you are having to take your lenses out frequently to give your eyes a rest, make sure you take the time to properly clean the lenses each time.

4. Set alarms to remind you to change your lenses or take them out.

If you are concerned that you will forget to change your lenses as directed or you will forget to take them out before going to bed, set an alarm on your phone. It can be a lot to remember at first, but after a few weeks, you will be changing and removing your contact lenses almost without even thinking about it.

5. Communicate with your eye doctor throughout the process.

Your eye doctor should be your go-to when you have questions or concerns about your new lenses, and they will be more than happy to help you out with your initial concerns. If you have new contact lenses and need help or have questions, our patients are always welcome to reach out to us at the Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS for help.

Are Contact Lenses a Good Idea for Children?

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Many children do end up needing glasses, but glasses can change your appearance enough that some kids are uncomfortable with the idea and prefer to get contact lenses. This can leave parents with a lot of questions about the safety of pediatric contact lenses. Are getting contact lenses for your child a good idea? Here are a few things to consider.

Several Types of Lenses Are Available for Pediatric Patients

Even though it is a common misconception that contact lenses are not good for children, there are several eye doctors that do offer pediatric contact lenses. The thing is, there are specific types of lenses that can be viable options for certain children with specific needs. The two primary types of contacts used for children are soft lenses and gas-permeable lenses. Both of these contact lens types are a good fit for pediatric patients because they are easy to fit and can be disposable, which means less maintenance of the lenses and less risk of eye irritants due to improper cleaning.

Parent Training Is Hugely Important to Successful Contact Lens Use

Normally, the eye doctor will explain directly to the patient how they should properly use their new lenses, but with pediatric patients, parents are very much involved. For younger patients, it is usually the parents that do the majority of taking the lenses out and helping the child put them in. Likewise, it is important that parents know how to properly clean the lenses and watch for any issues the child is having.

Pediatric Contact Lenses Are Most Often Used for Specific Pediatric Vision or Eye Problems

Even though pediatric patients can be fitted with contact lenses, most eye doctors prefer to only prescribe lenses for pediatric patients that have certain types of ailments. General near or farsightedness is common in childhood as the eyes develop. But conditions like bilateral aphakia and anisometropia can be fitting for contact lens use, especially if there are issues with the child wearing glasses or if other forms of vision therapy don’t work.

Find Out More About Pediatric Contact Lenses in Coldwater, MS

Some children are good candidates for contact lenses. If you believe your child could be, reach out to us at Coldwater Vision Center to schedule an appointment.