Glasses and contact lenses go hand in hand. Even though your contact lenses may be your first choice for vision correction, your eyes still need break to relax and breath. A backup pair of glasses is advised to maintain healthy eyes for all contact lens wearers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 46 million Americans wear contact lenses and a new report shows that 80% of wearers reported at least one behavior that put them at risk for contact related eye infections (source).
Some of the major risks of wearing contact lenses include:
- Pink eye (Conjunctivitis)
- Corneal abrasions (Scratches on the cornea)
- Corneal edema and dryness
- Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis
- Corneal Ulcers
Of course, these conditions can also happen to non-contact lens wearers, but the chance of disease nearly doubles for those who overwear their contact lenses. Bacteria love the low oxygen environment that contact lens over wear produces. There are many benefits to wearing this amazing medical device, if used correctly. The risk of infection is lowered with proper lens handling, lens maintenance and contact lens wearing schedule. So please follow your local optometrist or optician's advice on proper care.
Buying and wearing a pair of glasses, even if it's a relatively inexpensive pair, that you enjoy will ensure good visual and eye health. Most insurance companies (medical and vision) will give a discount on glasses even if you choose to use your primary benefits towards contacts. Through VSP, if you buy a pair of glasses on the same day as contacts, they will give you a 30% discount on everything including the frame, this drops down to 20% if you purchase any day up to a month after the initial purchase of contacts lenses.
As Halloween approaches, we as medical professionals want to remind you that buying contacts from illegal sites or without proper training can lead to serious issues that could cost you your vision. Have an enjoyable and safe Halloween celebration!
Request an appointment with us for your Halloween contact needs.