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More than 70 million people around the world are wearing contact lenses, and the number of people that replace their spectacles to contact lenses are increasing every year. The flexibility and convenience that contact lenses provide, are leading more and more people to wear contact lenses as science provides us with greater options in contact lens wear.
Contact lenses are very thin optical discs that are worn directly on the eye, they are very easy to wear, and care for them is especially easy with the latest technology in lens care products. They are held in place with the natural tear layer that exists between the contact lens and the cornea. Contact lenses give full peripheral vision and, can reduce the image distortion that is caused sometimes by spectacles. Contact lenses provide natural sight, and a wide range of lenses are available for different needs and preferences such as change the eye color.
 Eye Structure
Cornea
Front part of the eye, transparent. Protects front of eye and bends light to form an image on the retina.
Pupil
A black hole in the center of the iris. Allows light to enter into the eye.
Iris
Pigmented (the color of the eyes). Its muscles contract and relax to alter the size of its central hole or pupil. Protects the photoreceptors in the retina from being damaged by too much light.
Retina
The lining at the back of the eye containing two types of photoreceptor cells. It is a screen on which images are formed as a result of light being focused onto it by the cornea and lens.
Lens
Transparent, flexible disc behind the iris attached by muscles. Brings the light entering through the pupil to a focus on the retina.
Macula
The macula contains a high concentration of photoreceptor cells that convert light into nerve signals. Send visual signals to the brain.
Optic nerve
Bundle of sensory neurons at back of eye. Carries signals from the photoreceptors of the retina to the brain.
Refractive errors
There are several basic refractive errors that caused by an imperfectly shaped eyeball, cornea or lens:
Myopia nearsightedness; only nearby objects are clear.
Hyperopia farsightedness; only objects far away are clear.
Astigmatism images are blurred at a distance and near.
Presbyopia "aging eye." The condition usually occurs between ages 40 and 50, and can be corrected with bifocals or reading glasses.
History of contact lenses:
| 1508 |
Leonardo da-Vinci was the first to describe several forms of contact lenses. |
| 1632 |
Rene Descartes developed with pipe full of water the first corneal contact lens. |
| 1827 |
Sir John Herschel made contact lenses from glass, which were very big and covered the whole eye. |
| 1936 |
developed the first plastic contact lens. |
| 1950 |
Dr. George Butterfield manufactured the first contact lens that covered only the cornea. |
| 1971 |
Soft contact lenses were introduced in the United States. |
| 1987 |
Two new contact lenses were developed: disposable contact lenses (for 1 month use), soft contact lenses that change the eye color. |
| 1995 |
The first daily disposable lenses were introduced. |
| 1998 |
The first multifocal disposable soft lenses introduced. |
How to choose contact lenses
Before buying contact lenses it is very important to have an eye examination carried out by a doctor or an optometrist. It is very important to report to him about:
The doctor or the optometrist will check the vision to eliminate existing problems such as glaucoma and to determine the general health of your retina and optic nerve.
There are many kinds of contact lenses and it is important to discuss all of the possibilities with the doctor or the optometrist, who will consider the complete vision examination with your specific visual needs, and advise you of the best available contact lens.
The age for wearing contact lenses depends on the patients capabilities and level of maturity, it may be right for an 8 year old, and wrong for a 20 year old for many reasons.
The Benefits Of Contact Lenses
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A natural look without glasses for those who feel uncomfortable with their appearance.
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People who have an active life can enjoy peripheral vision.
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People that do not want to have a laser surgery, have a comfortable alternative.
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A new look with a different eye color.
Read more about contact lenses
Types of Contact Lenses
Daily-wear soft lenses (Yearly)
The most popular type of lenses.
Made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
Short period of adaptation.
More comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses.
Available in bifocals and colors.
Ideal for active and sportive lifestyles.
Lens Care Products are very simple to use.
Daily disposable soft lenses
No lens Care products are required.
Clean, fresh and sterile lenses replaced every day.
Ideal for active lifestyles.
Monthly disposable soft lenses
Clean, fresh and sterile lenses when replaced every month.
Available in most prescriptions.
Useful as spare lenses.
3 Months disposable soft lenses
All the benefits of yearly contact.
For improve health.
Available in most prescriptions lenses
.Gas Permeable (GP)
Made of harder plastic materials that do not contain water.
Made of slightly flexible plastics, not as flexible as soft contacts, but they allow more oxygen to pass through to the eyes than do soft lenses.
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Comfortable for most people after a short period of adaptation
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Sharper vision than with soft contact lenses
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Causes less infection than soft lenses.
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Relatively long life (3-4) years
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Available in bifocals or multifocals
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Daily-wear and extended-wear designs available
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Disadvantage:
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They may slip off the center of the eye more easily
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Once you don't wear these lenses for about week, it needs an adaptation period before they're comfortable again.
Ortho-K
Ortho-K
A vision correction therapy for patients with moderate myopia and low amounts of astigmatism.
It involves wearing a contact lens retainer while you sleep to gently and painlessly corrects the surface of your eye.
This process is reversible and non-surgical.
Daytime free of contact lenses and spectacles.
Ideal for sports, swimming and for dusty or dirty environments.
Want to learn more about ortho-K ?
Colored Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Opaque lenses - Opaque lenses are colored and covers the iris. The light passes through a clear hole for the pupil (in the center). It is important to ask the doctor if these are right for the visual needs.
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Medium tints - These lenses are used to increase the natural eye color, they are perfect for lighter colored eyes. These lenses may not change the color of dark eyes.
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Available with or without prescription.
Safety Tips For Contact Lens users
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Never swap contact lensES with another person, nor borrow another persons lenses.
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Do not sleep with your lenses unless otherwise directed.
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Contact lenses should always be fitted by a contact lens practitioner.
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Do not change your wearing routine without advise from your practitioner.
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If your eyes become red or irritated or if you experience pain, remove your lenses and consult your practitioner.
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ATTENTION! Long nails harbour bacteria. A scratched eye is vulnerable to infection.
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Replace damaged or scratched lenses immediately.
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It is recommended to insert your lenses before applying make up and remove them before taking off your make up.
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While using hair sprays and other cosmetic aerosols avoid spray contact on the lenses.
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Keep lenses and contact lens products out of the reach of children.
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Remove your lenses if in the presence of noxious or irritating fumes.
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Consult your practitioner about wearing your lenses for sport. E.g. swimming.
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It is recommended to inform your employer that you wear contact lenses particularly if your job involves using eye safety equipment.
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Find out from your practitioner how often you need to have routine eye care examinations.
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If using eye drops or medication, consult your practitioner with regards to wearing your lenses. Not all medicines are compatible with contact lenses.
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Any emergency or adverse side effects concerning your eyes remove your lenses. If possible seek professional help immediately.
Solutions
Cleaning solution: removes dirt, debris and mucus from the lens.
Disinfecting solution: effectively reduces microbial pollution on the lens that can cause eye infections.
Multi-purpose solution: a single solution that cleans and disinfects lenses it contains protein removers too.
Peroxide solution: includes two different components, one for disinfecting for overnight storage (peroxide), and a neutralizer.
Protein remover /Enzyme cleaner tablets or solutions: reduce protein that sticks to the lens.
Rewetting solution/ Comfort drops: lubricate the eye, used to improve the feeling of dry eyes while wearing lenses.
Rinsing solution: preparation for rinsing the lenses before insertion. Remove debris and other solutions.
Tips:
Use only sterile solutions.
Do not use any solution that has expired.
Do not mix solutions.
After a solution bottle has opened, it will become contaminated.
Do not touch the bottle tips with your fingers. | 
