1. Can anyone wear contact lenses?

Most people can. Whether you are older or younger, farsighted or nearsighted, you can probably select some type of contact lenses to suit your needs.

2. What diseases can contact lenses cure?

If you are suffering from astigmatism, contact lenses can help. Those with presbyopia can use multifocal contacts to have clear intermediate, near, and distance vision.

3. How good are contacts for my eyes?

Though millions of people have benefited from contact lenses, it’s advisable to consult your eye care professional to determine if they are healthy for you.

4. Can they harm my cornea?

If you follow the approved steps for inserting and removing contact lenses, and take proper care of them, they will continue to be safe and effective. To ensure the long-term health of your cornea, you should visit your eye care professional regularly.

5. What’s the right age to start wearing contact lens?

As soon as you need to correct your vision, you can consider using contact lenses. In addition to adults, even young children and teens can use them provided they take proper care of the lenses and go for routine lens maintenance.

6. Can my contact lens get "lost" behind my eye?

No. Lenses cannot pass through conjunctiva, which is a strong, thin membrane that’s present on the inside of your eyelids and covers the white portion of the eye by curling itself back. However, your lenses may become displaced or slide under your eyelids. In case such a thing happens, try to put the lenses back to the correct position. Soft contact lenses are likely to center automatically on the cornea, while the rigid gas permeable lenses may need some manipulation when the same get displaced through the eyelid.

7. Is it difficult to take care of contacts lenses?

Actually, the care routine differs from lens to lens:

-    GP contacts that last for years usually need daily disinfecting and cleaning, but their slick surface offers resistance to deposit buildup.
-    You need no maintenance for daily disposable soft lenses that are worn once and then discarded.
-    Soft lenses that are replaced annually or quarterly may need weekly enzyming in addition to daily care.
-    You can clean other disposable soft lenses at the end of the day, and soak them in disinfecting solution before they are worn again; you may replace such lens on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

8.How often should I change my contact lenses?

Based on the type of lenses, their recommended life varies. You can change them after a day, a week or two, a month, or even continue wearing them for longer periods longer. However, you should follow the prescribed wear and care instructions and follow the guidelines for replacement. Don’t hesitate to ask your eye care provider for help if you are not sure of the right time to change your lenses.

9. Should I continue wearing my contact lenses if my eyes are bothering me?

It is not advisable to wear contact lenses if you feel some discomfort in your eyes. Consult your eye care practitioner without any delay for the best advice.

10. Is there a way to know when my contact lenses get 'worn out'?

Yes, you can look for typical signs like discomfort, hazy vision, lens discoloration and deposits, all of which tell that it’s time to replace your lenses. In case you encounter any or more of these problems, stop using your lenses or they may cause allergies and other complications. Remember – it is important to replace your lenses according to the directions of your eye care practitioner or the product labeling.

11. Can I use glasses and contacts alternately?

Probably yes In case your lenses are soft. There are many who find lenses difficult to tolerate and often use them only for sporting or social occasions.

12. Can contact lenses cause allergy?

Lenses themselves will not cause allergy. However, their protein coating may give rise to allergies. That’s why you should use cleaning solutions to get rid of protein deposits and steer clear of such allergies.

13. If an object strikes my eyes, will my contact lens make the injury worse?

No. In fact, your lenses will guard the eye against extensive damage.

14. Other than products specifically made for my contact lenses, can I use other medically prescribed eye drops or eye preparations while wearing them?

Generally, this is not advised. However, you should consult your eye care practitioner who will be able to give a final yes or no, based on the type of lenses being worn and the medication that’s prescribed.

15. I suffer from dry eye problem. Can I wear contact lenses?

Yes, you can. However, you may have a shorter wearing period for your contact lens as compared to those without such a problem and may choose to wear your lenses occasionally. You can use some prescribed eye lubrication drops to increase the comfort of your lenses. It is best to discuss these matters with your eye care practitioner to get the best advice regarding what type of lenses would be suitable for you and whether you should wear them at all or not.

16. I am a frequent air traveler. I often find it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses while traveling by plane. Can you tell me the reason for this? Can I do anything to lessen the discomfort?

Such discomfort and dry eye symptoms are usually caused by the low humidity in aircraft cabins. You may use lubrication drops during flight or before entering the airplane. In case these symptoms persist or cause severe discomfort, it is perhaps easier to wear eyeglasses when you are flying.

17. Can I wear contact lenses while swimming?

You can only if you are wearing goggles having a firm seal. If you don’t wear goggles, your contact lenses may absorb the pool water and adhere quite firmly to the eyes or float from your eyes. In case the former happens, leave your lenses alone for 10-15 minutes before trying to remove them so that the water in them gets replaced by natural tears. It is advisable not to expose your contacts to pool water as the same may cause discomfort due to chlorine or give rise to infection from bacteria and other microorganisms.