Switchover from Glasses to Contact Lenses

The Purpose of Wearing Contact Lenses

Table of Contents

Contact Lenses Can Bring Focus to Life...…………………………….1

Switchover from Glasses to Contact Lenses……………………....3

The Purpose of Wearing Contact Lenses.…………………………...5

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses……….………………………………..6

Toric Contact Lenses - A Tool for Clear Vision ...……………......12

Astigmatism ……………………….……………………………………………..14

Myopia……………………………………………………………………………….15

Hyperopia ……….……………………………………………………………….. 16

Find an eye care professional near you who offers prescrip-

tion contact lenses.…………………………………………………...……….18

Contact Lenses Can Bring Focus to Life

Glasses can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, which is why

contact lenses are a perfect solution to traditional eyewear.

Eyeglasses can create discomfort in the lobes of the ears, as well

as on the bridge of the nose. Contact lenses are a means to

eliminate these problems permanently. In terms of current

history, the major breakthrough with contact lenses dates back to

1959, when the first “soft lens” was introduced. It was used in

many countries through the 1960’s, but didn’t reach the states

until later. In 1971, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

approved the material known as “soflens.” In 1999, silicone was

introduced as a material for the uses of daily contact lenses. This

was an important breakthrough because silicone has a high level

of oxygen permeability, creating the same comfort that was found

in the previous contacts used since 1971. The benefit of oxygen

permeability equates to longer comfort. Daily contact lenses were 1

Contact Lenses Can Bring Focus to Life

extended to stay in overnight, meaning less maintenance.

CooperVision has taken the silicone lens a step further with a

polymer lens. Polymer is defined as, “A long or larger molecule

consisting of a chain or network of many repeating units, formed

by chemically bonding together many identical or similar small

molecules called monomer.” This translates as to having a high

oxygen permeability rate, allowing greater comfort with wearing

daily contact lenses. 2

Switchover from Glasses to Contact Lenses

Many people have been wearing eyeglasses for years, but may feel

it is time to make the transition. What a joy to remove the glassed

from the face for the very last time, never having to worry about

where to keep them ever again. The same clear quality that was

revealed by glasses can be seen through the eyes with contact

lenses. Better yet, daily contact lenses provide a wider field of

clear vision, covering the peripheral areas as well. The transition

does not happen immediately, as it may take about a week for

eyes to fully adapt to wearing contact lenses. As little as six hours

of wear may be recommended by an individual’s optometrist with

a progression of two hours per day for as long as six days. After

the sixth day, the daily contact lenses can be worn without

concern for the entire duration of waking hours. Again, it is

important to follow the guidelines of an optometrist for proper

care and adaptation. 3

Switchover from Glasses to Contact Lenses

Daily contact lenses have made some major breakthroughs in the

past 50 years, innovations that have lessened the discomfort of

wearing glasses. Contact lenses can also instill self-confidence

that cannot be gained by wearing glasses. The transformation of

the market from hydrogel lenses to silicone lenses has offered

even greater comfort to one of the most important senses of the

body. Vision is a gift that those who wear daily contact lenses do

not take lightly. Just because an individual has a vision problem

doesn’t meant there has to be discomfort or high maintenance

involved. The best solution to date is with polymer lenses.

4

The Purpose of Wearing Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are an ideal alternative to wearing conventional

eyeglasses for many reasons. Comparatively speaking, they can

both provide the same function for their fundamental purpose.

Daily contact lenses go a step further than simply providing the

wearer with better vision. The comfort in wearing daily contact

lenses provide relief in knowing that clear vision is not dependent

on locating a pair of glasses. Even more recently (within the past

30 years), the maintenance of daily contact lenses has been

reduced dramatically. No longer is it necessary to provide an

external source of hydration due to dryness of the contact lenses.

The recent innovation of silicone contact lenses offers less

maintenance with a higher level of oxygen permeability. One of

the more recent styles is made of 48% water!

5

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

6

The fundamental reason to wear daily contact lenses if

for proper vision for those who are impaired or

have less than perfect vision. Clear, focused vision

can completely change an individual’s perspective

on life. No longer will he or she squint to read road

signs, or more importantly, the newspaper or a

book. Contact lenses offer a wider field of vision,

reducing peripheral uses created from eyeglasses.

1

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

7

Self-confidence is another reason many individuals

switch from eyeglasses to daily contact lenses.

Wearing eyeglasses have been reported to create a

complex in relation to self-image that can be

eliminated by wearing daily contact lenses.

2

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

8

Contact lenses can correct the problem of astigmatism.

Astigmatism can accompany near or farsightedness,

occurring from an abnormally shaped cornea.

Specifically, toric contact lenses can actually correct

the problem of astigmatism in many cases.

3

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

9

In the past, contact lenses were expensive, but the price

of them has become competitive and affordable.

With the possibility of glasses breaking or being

lost, daily contact lenses can cost less than

eyeglasses.

4

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

10

Comfort is a popular reason many individuals choose

contact lenses over eyeglasses. Problems with

discomfort can occur in regions of the nose where

the bridge is used to support the glasses. Also, pull

from the arms on the lobes can also cause irritation

and minor pain. Today, contact lenses can be

inserted once, and then forgotten without even

feeling them in the eyes.

5

Reasons to Wear Contact Lenses

Contact lenses serve many functions for many individuals. It has

been estimated that over 125 million individuals across the globe

prefer to wear contact lenses over eyeglasses. At the rate of

innovation, that number may grow. The importance of clear vision

cannot be underestimated especially if it involves personal safety,

as well as the safety of others. Consider the example of driving,

when focus and clear vision is most important. Contact lenses can

prevent an accident or better inform the driver with the ability to

read the road signs. When it comes to proper vision, there is no

replacement for the security and confidence of knowing that it

will not be compromised. There are many reasons to wear contact

lenses, as they are a tool that will aid in all facets of life.

11

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

There are many types of contact lenses available for the purpose

of corrective vision; ones that can be ideal for treating many

conditions are known as toric contact lenses. Toric contact lenses

are contact lenses that are specifically made with two curvatures

that can be used to treat astigmatism, as well as myopia or

hyperopia.

12

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

Toric contact lenses are

categorized in a group that is

sometimes referred to as

multifocal lenses. Over the

past decade, many adaptations

have been designed to allow a

patient to pick and choose

from a wide variety of “extras”

that offer comfort, style and

less maintenance than in

previous years. Some of the

modern amenities include soft

contact lenses, disposable

contact lenses and fashionable

colors. 13

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

14

Astigmatism

Is a condition where the cornea may not be completely

round, causing problems with vision. In some cases, the

condition may only occur in a single eye. In this case, the

optometrist or eye care practitioner may prescribe a

toric contact lens for one eye and a corrective

prescription for the other. Astigmatism normally affects

those who are middle aged, and it is a condition that can

become worse with time. It can ultimately lead to

blindness, if not addressed. With the average age of

Americans on the rise, this will be a growing problem

that will need to be addressed with more frequency.

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

15

Myopia

Is also known as near-sightedness, can be a condition

that occurs as a result of astigmatism. It can affect one or

both eyes. In this case, toric contact lenses can be

prescribed to correct the vision problem. Specially

designed to remain stable on the eye, toric contact lenses

provide an ideal solution to the condition of myopia.

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

16

Hyperopia

Is also known as far-sightedness, is another condition

that occurs due to astigmatism. Toric contact lenses

replace the function of the natural lens, compensating in

areas where there are issues with blurriness because of

the abnormal bend of the natural lens. With conditions

of myopia or hyperopia, the lens is curved specifically to

Toric Contact Lenses

A Tool for Clear Vision

Toric contact lenses are offered in the form of soft and rigid gas

permeable, just as regular contact lenses. One of the main

differences between normal contact lenses and toric contact

lenses is that toric contact lenses cannot move all around. They

have a distinct upward and downward movement, but must

remain stable due to the orientation of the vision problem

corrected. One of the newer innovations is a long-lasting design of

toric lenses that allows the wearer to insert the contact lenses for

a period of 30 days. These contacts lenses are made of silicone

and contain the ability to hydrate the lens. Hands-free and worry-

free options give the wearer complete confidence in making a

transition from traditional eyeglasses to toric contact lenses. A

revolution in eyewear, new toric lenses are a tool that provides

clear vision without any problems with hydrating. A few extra

hours in the optometrist’s chair is definitely an investment that is

worth it. 17

Find an eye care professional

near you who offers

prescription contact lenses.