Dismantling Contact Lens Myths
Over the years, you’ve probably heard many myths about contact lenses about their use and care. You may even have backed out if you were thinking of giving up prescription glasses and switching to contact lenses for fear that they would damage your eyes or because you thought they would be too difficult to put in.
However, millions of people have incorporated them into their daily lives without any problems and have found many advantages of wearing contact lenses. They are a corrective alternative that brings great freedom to your routine by allowing you to dispense with prescription glasses and are perfect if you practice sports frequently or if your lifestyle is very dynamic.
In view of the general lack of knowledge that exists around contact lenses and their use, we want to offer you the real keys to wearing your contact lenses with total peace of mind, dispelling those myths about contact lenses and their use.
Contact lens myths
Myth 1. A contact lens can stick to the eye.
Among the most common contact lens myths, this is one of the most common fears among people who are considering wearing contact lenses, but the reality is that it is very unlikely that contact lenses will stick to your eyes, and even less so if you follow the instructions for use given to you by your specialist.
Keep in mind that the eye is an organ that is prepared to expel any particles that enter it through blinking or tears.
Myth 2. Contact lenses can get lost in the back of the eye
This is another of the myths about contact lenses that you may have heard the most, but losing a contact lens behind the eye is materially impossible. There is a membrane that covers the eye and connects to the inside of the eyelid, preventing any object from moving to the back of the eye.
Myth 3. Contact lenses are harmful to the eyes
Contact lenses are a safe and healthy corrective option for people with vision problems. That is, as long as the periodicity of use, hygiene and regular check-ups are respected.
For example, wearing contact lenses daily for two or three days can cause itching, irritation or redness and can lead to eye infections due to misuse.
Myth 4. Eyes need a rest from continuous contact lens wear.
Most soft contact lenses on the market today are made of breathable materials, so you should be able to wear contact lenses every day without any problem. However, it is not recommended that you wear them for more than 12 hours a day, with the exception of silicone hydrogel contact lenses, a state-of-the-art material that allows greater breathability of the eye.
Myth 5. Contact lenses are uncomfortable
Most contact lenses manufactured today are thin and soft. As we said, they are made from highly breathable materials that allow oxygen to pass through and are comfortable for the human eye. It only takes a short adaptation period to learn how to put in and take out contact lenses and you will hardly notice that you are wearing them, so forget about one of the most common contact lens myths.
If it’s your first time wearing contact lenses and you’re worried they won’t fit your eyes properly, at University Optics & Audiology we offer you the chance to see for yourself with one month to try contact lenses for free, whatever eye correction you need.
Myth 6. Contact lenses cause conjunctivitis
Wearing contact lenses does not cause conjunctivitis (if the cleaning and disposability instructions are followed correctly). Even so, having conjunctivitis and wearing contact lenses is not at all a recommended practice, since you will not allow your eyes to heal properly and you can pass the infection to your other eye if you keep them in the same case. Therefore, it is important that if you notice any symptoms, remove the contact lenses and replace them with your prescription glasses until the infection is cured.
Myth 7. It is difficult to keep contact lenses clean
Taking care of your contact lenses is a very easy and simple practice. If you opt for daily contact lenses, the maintenance is minimal, since you will have to throw them away after wearing them all day and wear new ones the next day. On the other hand, if you use monthly contact lenses, you only need to clean them and store them at night in a specific contact lens fluid so that the lenses can hydrate and you can put them in the next day.
Myth 8. You can sleep with your contact lenses in
This is another of the false myths about contact lenses. While we sleep our eyes are closed, so it is difficult for the eye to be properly oxygenated and hydrated, causing dryness and itching. If you sleep during the day for a few hours it is not dangerous, but if it becomes a frequent practice it can cause problems for your visual health.
There is a type of contact lens that is much more breathable and with which you can sleep. As we have already mentioned, these are silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Even so, it is not the best option for your eyesight and it is always better to sleep without your contact lenses in.
Myth 9. Older people can’t wear contact lenses
Anyone of any age can wear contact lenses, whether they have nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia. It is important that they follow the recommendations for use and that they are able to put them in and take them out independently.
Myth 10. Contact lenses are more expensive than glasses
This is also one of the most widespread myths about contact lenses. Just as the price of prescription glasses varies according to the material, the frame and the brand; the price of contact lenses also varies depending on the periodicity you choose, the brand and the material.
As you can see, the use of contact lenses over time has generated many frequently asked questions, doubts and myths about contact lenses. If you have any doubts when you put in your contact lenses or need answers to your questions, you can contact our specialists whenever you want.
