Contact lenses are a popular choice for vision correction and offer a convenient, comfortable alternative to eyeglasses. Despite their popularity, many myths persist about their use, leading to confusion and hesitation among potential users.
If you have been considering ditching your glasses and correcting your vision with contact lenses, keep reading to learn the facts behind 6 myths about contact lens wear.
Myth #1: Contact Lenses are Uncomfortable
Fact: One of the most common myths about wearing contact lenses is that they are uncomfortable. While it can take some time to adjust to wearing them initially, most people adapt quickly.
Today’s contact lenses are made from soft, breathable materials that fit snugly and allow plenty of oxygen to reach the eye, reducing discomfort and dryness. When properly cared for, the right contact lenses are generally very comfortable to wear.
Myth #2: It Isn’t Easy to Care for Contact Lenses
Fact: While the myth persists that it’s difficult to care for contact lenses, contact lens care is actually simple and easy. For weekly and monthly contact lenses, it usually takes only a few minutes each day to fully clean and disinfect lenses.
Caring for daily contact lenses is even easier. With daily lenses, you wear a new set every day and throw them away after taking them out at night.
Myth #3: You Can Wear Contact Lenses While Swimming or Showering
Fact: It is not advisable to wear contact lenses while swimming or showering because it increases the risk of infection. Even treated water can contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can compromise eye health when trapped behind a contact lens.
Additionally, exposure to water can cause soft contact lenses to change shape, swell, and stick to the eye. To protect the health of your eyes, you should always remove contacts before showering and use goggles if you need to wear contact lenses when swimming.
Myth #4: Contact Lenses Can Get Lost Behind Your Eye
Fact: Another common myth about contact lenses is that they can get lost behind your eye. In actuality, the anatomy of the eye prevents lenses from getting into the back of the eye.
The conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the surface of the eye and connects to the inside of the eyelids, creates a barrier that keeps the lens in the front part of the eye. Lenses can shift out of place but can easily be adjusted by gently moving the eyelid or using eye drops.
Myth #5: Contact Lenses Can Pop Out of Your Eyes
Fact: Although contact lenses are not permanently attached to your eyes, it is rare for contact lenses to pop out of your eyes on their own. When inserted correctly, they are designed to fit securely on the surface of the eye.
If a lens does come loose, it is often due to dryness, irritation, or improper fit. Addressing the cause of loose contact lenses ensures that lenses stay in place.
Myth #6: They Don’t Make Contact Lenses for Me
Fact: In the past, people with certain eye conditions, like astigmatism or keratoconus, might not have been able to correct their vision with contact lenses. With technological advances, contact lenses are now available for nearly every eye.
Today, specialized lenses, like toric lenses for astigmatism and scleral lenses for keratoconus, make it possible to find the right lenses for a wide range of eye shapes and conditions. If you’ve been told you couldn’t wear contact lenses, you should ask your ophthalmologist about these advanced lens options.
If you want to enjoy clear vision without glasses, don’t let myths about contact lenses prevent you from getting the visual freedom you deserve. By knowing the facts behind the myths, you can feel confident about wearing contact lenses.
Do you want to find out if contact lenses could be right for you? Schedule an appointment at Rosenthal Eye Surgery in Long Island, NY, today!
