FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Who can wear contact lenses?
Are contact lenses good for your eyes? Can they cause damage to the cornea?
How soon, or at what age, can contact lens wear begin?
Can I wear contact lenses while playing sports?
Is it true there are some contact lenses than can actually slow or control myopia?
Are GP (oxygen permeable) Contact Lenses the same as hard lenses?
At what level of astigmatism should GP (oxygen permeable) Contact Lenses be chosen in favor of soft lenses?
Can I wear my contact lenses while applying or removing eye makeup?
How do you get contact lenses that are strictly to change the appearance or color of your eyes?
If an individual's eyes are healthy, is it sufficient to go only to an Optometrist?
Where can I learn more about GP (oxygen permeable) Contact Lenses?
Q. Who can wear contact lenses?
A. Most individuals who require vision correction can wear contact lenses. Technical advances in contact lens
development include bi-focal contacts, daily disposables, extended wear and frequent replacement lenses and
lenses to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. question list
Q. Are contact lenses good for your eyes? Can they cause damage to the cornea?
A. Contact lenses are a healthy vision option for many people. Only your eye care professional can determine
if contact lenses are a healthy option for you. When your eye care professional prescribes contact lenses and
you follow all prescribed steps for inserting, removing and caring for them, contact lenses have proven to be
a safe and effective vision correction device for millions of people. Every contact lens wearer should see
their eye care professional on a regular basis to insure long term corneal health. question list
Q. How soon, or at what age, can contact lens wear begin?
A. As soon as the vision correction need is identified, contact lenses can be considered a viable option.
In fact, contact lenses have frequently been used in premature infants who often have underdeveloped retinae
at birth and are at risk of blindness. With proper care and lens maintenance, infants, young children, teens
(click here for teen options) and adults of all ages can wear contacts effectively. question list
Q. Can I wear contact lenses while playing sports?
A. Sports vision doctors agree that contact lenses are the best vision correction option for athletes.
Contact lenses can enhance visual skills like depth perception, peripheral awareness and eye-hand/eye-foot
coordination. Unlike glasses, contacts offer athletes a competitive advantage because they stay in place under
dynamic conditions, provide a wider vision field and eliminate the risk of frame-related injuries. Contact
lenses also make it easy to wear protective goggles. question list
Q. Is it true that there are some contact lenses that can actually slow or control myopia?
A. Many contact lens specialists agree that the use of Oxygen Permeable, or GP contact lenses, that are
rigid by construction, may slow or retard the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), whereas spectacles or
soft contact lenses offer no benefit of this type. Scientific clinical studies are
ongoing which will provide more conclusive data. question list
Q. Are Oxygen Permeable, or GP contact lenses the same as hard lenses?
A. No, the new generation of gas permeable lenses is a state of the art alternative for minor correction to
special needs. The continued advancement in materials and lens designs make GP lenses a first choice option
for today's contact lens wearers who want increased sharpness of vision and longer lens life. Learn more
about the exciting new gas permeable multifocal lenses. question list
Q. Notwithstanding the availability of toric soft lenses, on a conservative basis at what level of astigmatism
should GP lenses be chosen in favor of soft lenses (that is, if "perfect" vision and not comfort or other
factors, is the only objective sought)?
A. Only you and your eye care professional can determine what is perfect vision for your specific needs.
Astigmatism detected at any degree indicates less than perfect uncorrected vision; however, many people can
tolerate small amounts of astigmatism (0.25 to 0.75 Diopters) without significant compromise. GP lenses
correct this astigmatism when it is created by a difference in the horizontal and vertical curvatures of
the cornea. This can be achieved with standard spherical lens designs for astigmatism from 0.25 to approximately
2.50 Diopters. Special GP designs can be utilized to successfully fit people with much higher amounts of
astigmatism. It should also be pointed out that GP lenses, when successfully fit and after a short adaptation
period, are just as comfortable as soft contact lenses and can be worn for all waking hours. question list
Q. Can I wear my contact lenses while applying or removing eye makeup?
A. To avoid possible complications, patients who wear contact lenses should observe the following guidelines
when applying cosmetics or toiletry products:
- Apply cologne, deodorant, and hair spray before inserting your lenses.
- Wash hands thoroughly with oil-free soap prior to inserting lenses.
- Put your contacts in before applying make-up.
- Use a water-based but water-resistant mascara that is not prone to flaking. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat.
- Use a soft pencil eyeliner rather than a liquid or powdered version that will flake off.
- Use pressed powder eye shadow rather than liquid or cream. Never use pearlized or frosted types that may contain tinsel.
- Always remove your lenses before removing makeup. question list
Q. How do you get contact lenses that are strictly to change the appearance or color of your eyes? Is a prescription needed for these lenses?
A. There are soft contact lenses available that will change the color of your eyes. They are still considered to
be a prescribed medical device that must be fit and followed up by your eye care professional. question list
Q. If an individual's eyes are perfectly healthy (other than the fact that vision correction with eyeglasses is
required), is it sufficient to go only to an Optometrist to have contact lenses fitted or is it necessary to
consult an Ophthalmologist first or as well, before and/or after the fitting?
A. An Optometrist is a doctor of science who is specifically dedicated to the visual as well as physical health
of your eyes. They are typically the best informed source for contact lenses and eyeglasses. Optometrists can
recognize and diagnose eye health problems and will refer you to an Ophthalmologist for medical treatment if
necessary and in many states can now prescribe treatment and medications for certain types of eye health related
problems. Optometrists as well as Ophthalmologists are required to attending continuing education programs that
keep them up to date on the eye care industry. You can be assured that an Optometrist is fully capable of
providing the expertise required for fitting contact lenses. question list
Q. Where can I learn more about GP (oxygen permeable) Contact Lenses?
A. Go to this web site: www.contactlenses.org. question list
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