Contact Lenses

What are the benefits of wearing contact lenses?
Many Kiwis find contact lenses an easy, convenient alternative to wearing glasses. Wearing NZ contact lenses may give you:

• Increased magnification – contact lenses give greater improvement than glasses for those with short-sightedness.
• Improved peripheral vision – contact lenses give greater side vision than glasses for those with short-sightedness.
• Comfort – contact lenses provide vision correction without thick glasses lenses or bulky glasses frames.
• Convenience – contact lenses are an easy alternative for activities or jobs where glasses may be damaged.
• Improved physical appearance – contact lenses are virtually invisible when worn, making them ideal for special occasions, a night out, or a profession where appearance matters.

What are the disadvantages of wearing contact lenses?
While there are many benefits to wearing contact lenses, there can also be disadvantages:

• Care – contacts must be inserted and removed daily, with careful cleaning and disinfection between each use.
• Cost – the ongoing expense of contact lenses and contact lenses solution make them a more pricy option than glasses.
• Eye protection – contact lenses do not protect against dust or dirt, and may irritate the eye in dry or dusty environments.
• Eye sensitivity – some people find certain contact lenses or contact lens solutions cause redness, itchiness or irritation of the eye.

What type of contact lenses are right for me?
Contact lenses can be worn to correct a number of vision problems where an inability to focus is the key complaint, including myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism and keratoconus. A wide variety of contact lenses are available: Soft or hard? Disposable or permanent? Browse suppliers of New Zealand contact lenses and choose from:

• Soft contact lenses are made from flexible polymers and have a high water content. They fit to the eye's shape and are larger in size than the cornea. Soft lenses can be disposable or permanent, lasting anywhere from one day to 18 months, depending on the make and type. They can be more comfortable than hard contact lenses, but they're easier to damage and harder to handle. There is also a small risk of developing corneal disease or an infection of the eye.

• Hard contact lenses are made of polymers that are unable to absorb water, but are able to let oxygen through to the eye. Good oxygen transmission makes for optimum corneal health and a lowered chance of developing an infection of the eye. On the down side, hard contact lenses can be uncomfortable when first worn, although they usually become comfortable after the eye has adapted to the contact lenses. They are less suitable for use in dusty environments.

• Disposable contact lenses are replaced on a regular basis, which can range from lenses which are thrown out daily, to contact lenses which last two weeks or one month. As contact lenses are worn, proteins and oils accumulate, meaning that disposable contact lenses can be a healthier option than permanent lenses. Disposable contact lenses are ideal for people who only wear them occasionally and for those who don't want the risk of losing a very costly permanent contact lens. If you wear contact lenses every day, the two weekly or monthly replacements are cheaper than daily disposables.

• Leave-in contact lenses are the ultimate in convenience. They are designed to be worn continuously for thirty days, 24 hours a day, then replaced at the end of that time. No cleaning or removal is required.

• Coloured contact lenses are available in both cosmetic (non-corrective) and prescription (corrective). Some types of coloured contact lenses may have an artificial look while others, which use multi-layered colour technology, give a natural appearance.

How can I play it safe with my contact lenses?

If you've got yourself fitted with contact lenses, it's worth taking good care of your lenses and your eyes. Remember:

1. Wear contact lenses only as long as they designed to be worn (ie. daily disposable contact lenses should be worn for one day only).

2. Don't wear contact lenses while sleeping.

3. Wash, rinse and dry your hands before handling lenses (avoid using moisturising or pump soap and dry hands with a lint-free towel or tissue).

4. Use only reputable contact lens solutions.

5. Clean, rinse and soak your contact lenses with contact lens solution after every wear.

6. Check with your optometrist to make sure your lenses are suitable for water wear, if you're planning on wearing your lenses for water sports.

7. Clean, rinse and air dry your contact lens cases each time you remove your lenses, and replace lens cases frequently.

8. If you experience redness, irritation, pain, light sensitivity or worsened vision while wearing your lenses, discontinue use and visit your optometrist.

9. Avoid getting hand cream, make up, perfume or other chemicals on your contact lenses. It's best to put your lenses in before applying make up and take them out before removing your make up.

10. Schedule a regular check-up with your optometrist every 6 to 12 months to make sure your eyes stay healthy!

Looking for more information? Find NZ contact lenses in the NZS.com directory.

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Lifestyle images from Flickr: Purple Flowers, Yoga and Wine.