Contact Lenses - Merits and Demerits

Refractive error is the most common eye-related problem these days. Approximately 30 % people under 25 years of age have one or other form of refractive error. Common types of refractive error are myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. The two common non-invasive options to counteract these refractive errors are spectacles and contact lenses. Each of them has their own merits and demerits, but on the cosmetic front, contact lenses score better than spectacles.

Merits of Contact Lenses:

• Cosmesis: The greatest advantage of contact lens is better cosmesis. Spectacles are not accepted widely and are seen as a social stigma. Contact lenses give clear vision with great cosmesis.

• Active Lifestyle: There are many activities including sports which limit the use of spectacles. Contact lenses help in maintaining an active lifestyle with a full range of activities.

• Crisp Clear Vision: Spectacles may not give crisp clear vision in high refractive errors. Contact lenses score over spectacles here by enabling the patient to have a crisp clear vision even with high refractive errors.

Demerits of Contact Lenses:

• Learning Curve: Contact lenses have a small learning curve. Initially one may feel it difficult to wear and then remove a contact lens, but once this learning curve is over, wearing contact lenses is as easy as sticking bindi on the forehead.

• Infection: Though rare, but contact lens use is associated with a serious risk of infection. This usually happens if proper care is not exercised while using contact lenses. This needs urgent medical attention.

• Dryness: Contact lens is usually associated with dryness, which can be easily taken care of by using lubricating eye drops and restricting hours of contact lens use.

Precautions:

1. Avoid bathing or swimming while wearing contact lenses.
2. Avoid sleeping while wearing contact lenses.
3. Clean contact lenses after use and place in proper solution when not in use.
4. Change contact lenses periodically.

For more information consult a contact lens specialist --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/eye-care-ophthalmologist/contact-lens