As a contact lens is an optical appliance of extreme precision, fitted on the most priceless of all human organs—the eye—it is vitally important that only trained qualified professionals be allowed to fit lenses.

What is the fitting procedure usually followed?

The spectacle power is accurately checked. The eyes are examined externally by a binocular microscope termed a slit lamp, with variable illumination and intensities, to ensure that they are normal. Next, on an instrument termed a keratometer, the corneal curvature is measured in hundredths of a milimetre. The next step is a trial fit.

What are trial lenses? How do they help?

A pair of lenses of your fit are put on your eye by a highly skilled assistant. Normally the eye will water a little but it soon settles down.

A trial fit permits an accurate assessment of the type of lens design and the power required.

How long does it take to be fitted properly for contacts?

It depends upon the power of the eye and the complexity of lens design required, but usually fitting is completed in two weeks.

At what age can hard lenses be worn?

Hard lenses are preferably worn from the age of 6 years onwards. Usually if the power is above 3 dioptres and is increasing rapidly, contact lenses are medically indicated.

Can contact lenses cause cancer?

No. There is no recorded case of cancer due to contact lenses in the world. On the other hand, cancer due to irritation from spectacle frames has been reported.

Can children handle contact lenses?

Children are the best patients for contact lenses. They accept lenses easily and achieve comfort rapidly, and surprisingly, they lose lenses far less often than adults.

What is the one factor that helps in quickly getting used to wearing lenses?

The one factor is motivation, if you should want to wear lenses and get used to them. It helps to appreciate the great advantages of wearing lenses, both as a visual aid, and improvement in appearance without spectacles. The psychological boost both to the personality and character is immense.

Can I change the colour of my eyes?

Yes. These lenses are called cosmetic lenses. They can be of any colour desired from light brown to peacock blue to emerald green and are used most often by cinema actors and actresses. They can be powered to any number desired and though slightly costlier, the results they give are outstanding. Since these lenses are larger than normal lenses and are fitted tighter they can only be worn for a short time, around six to eight hours comfortably.

Can I get bifocal contact lenses?

Yes. Lenses are available in which the power desired for both distances, far and near, are built into a single lens. These bifocal lenses can be of the type in which there are little segments for near and distance, or of a continuous type like the Wesley-Jessen autofocal lenses in which the power is gradually built up to the edge of the lens. These lenses are quite comfortable and can be worn easily.

During the early days of contact lens wear are there any special precautions?

Yes. At first it is best that activities requiring prolonged visual application be avoided—for example, reading for long intervals, seeing a movie or watching television. Since a new wearer also has more tears in the eyes, the lenses naturally fit a little looser, hence activities in strong wind, like wearing them near a seashore or driving, are best avoided. After 2 weeks of wear all activities may be resumed normally.

What can a person do to get used to wearing contacts rapidly?

Adhere to the wearing schedule and blink properly. Never rub the eyes when wearing contact lenses. Use the proper solution prescribed and visit your practitioner regularly. Use sun-glasses for the first few weeks to decrease watering from the eyes in strong sunlight.

What is the optical number of hours contact lenses may be worn?

It varies according to a person's tolerance to lenses. The minimum wear recommended is six hours a day while the maximum varies between 12 and 14 hours. It is preferably to rest the eye for an hour every afternoon. A good mean is perhaps 12 hours a day with an hour's break in the afternoon.

Can contacts be worn while sleeping?

No. The eye tends to get irritated and uncomfortable. It is best to remove contacts even if you are going to have a short nap. If you accidentally wear them all night, remove them when you get up, and wear them only when the eyes are quiet again, preferably missing a day.

Can contacts be used while swimming?

Yes, provided the water is calm and there is no water splashing around the face, though in all fairness it is safer not to wear them while swimming. You should avoid wearing lenses if you intend to dive into the water or swim underwater.

Can I use make up with hard lenses?

By all means, for after all, one good reason for wearing contact lenses, is to bring out the beauty of the eyes which were hidden behind spectacles. But there are a few rules to follow. Do not put anything in the eyes. No surma or kajal please, for particles get behind the lens and irritate the eyes.

You can use eyeliner—preferably the liquid or peel-off type. Eyebrow pencil should not be used as graphite particles are irritating with lenses. Eye-shadow should be of the moist or oily type. The powder type can go into the eyes and irritate them. It is preferable not to use mascara but if it is required for a special occasion, remove the lenses, apply mascara and reinsert the lenses. The spiral brush used with mascara is best as it prevents too thick a layer which matts the lashes together and can flake off in bits as the evening progresses.

Bianca Cohen

Copyrighted material; do not reprint without permission.

 

View all articles by Bianca Cohen