As a practicing Optometrist I get asked a lot of questions related to our industry. Here I have included some of the most popular questions related to contact lenses. This is a very fast growing sector globally and the economies of scale are making them more and more affordable. Daily disposable contact lenses are the fastest growing in this category. These are hugely convenient and hygienic. People have busy life styles and care of their lenses can be erratic. The fact the lens is discarded at the end of the day negates a lot of the previous exposure to infection from storage cases, incorrect cleaning solutions, insufficient cleaning solution etc.
Recently there has been concern with suppliers online falsifying contact lenses and branding inferior contact lenses under the labels of the big branded manufacturers, etc Ciba
What is involved in a contact lens exam?
A contact lens eye exam is typically a higher fee than an exam for glasses or a routine eye health check. The optician must perform certain tests to ensure the patient is a good candidate for lens wear, spend extra time taking measurements and selecting a lens for the patient.
Why can’t I just change lens brands whenever I want?
Contact lenses are a medical device and require a prescription. If your primary care Dr. were to put you on a medication or change a medication, they would write a prescription and likely follow-up to ensure that it is working. Lenses should be thought of and treated the same.
The optician must assess if the lens is centring, moving and rotating properly, and that vision is good.
A poor fitting lens can result in very serious complications, even blindness, so follow up exams are needed to assess how the it fits on the eye. There is no such thing as over-the-counter contact lenses, one size fits all. Do not trust lenses available at a beauty shop or petrol station, these are being distributed illegally and should be reported to your optician.
When can children start wearing contact lenses?
There is no magic age that a child is ready for it. The biggest factors are maturity and attention to hygiene. Most opticians require that the child is able to take the contact lenses in and out by themselves without the help of a parent. If you have to remind your child to brush their teeth, take showers, put on deodorant, etc., they are probably not ready to be a responsible, healthy contact lens wearer.
Why do I need to have my eyes checked every year for contact lenses?
For an optometrist to renew a contact lens prescription or allow for more refills, we are required, by law, to examine the lenses on the eye, ensuring proper fit, good eye health and vision. Because contact lenses set on the eye itself, there can be serious consequences if wearing them too long without taking them out, not disposing of them often enough, or wearing a dirty lens.
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