Valarie Jerome Optometrists - Launch Website
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Book Online
  • Contact

Busting some myths about contact lenses

10/9/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture of a lady putting in contact lenses
A lot of people have a misconceptions about contact lenses and how they are meant to work.

Here are some common conversations about contact lenses I have with people - family, friends and patients together with my explanations...

If you have a question not covered here, do feel free to post it in the comments below and I'll reply just as soon as possible; or if you'd prefer to keep it private, just email me.


"I don't wear my contacts that much because they are uncomfortable but I hear contacts are supposed to feel that way" 

Guess what? Contact are not suppose to feel uncomfortable. There are some people who can wear certain contacts that they can not feel in their eyes.

"Well my opticians did give me an option - this is the only one they have for me to use"

At many high street opticians, they have a particular manufacturer the use a the "go to" lens and usually not based on patient comfort but on their profits on the lens.  If you are not getting on with the contact lens you have been fit in then you have every right to ask to be fitted in another lens.  You have every right to complain.

"What's the point of contacts when you are only allowed to wear them just a few hours a day?"

No manufacturer prints the exact number of hours you are to wear the contacts.  A contact lens is designed to be worn from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.  Now with some eye conditions such as dry eye and eye allergies, a patient may not be able to wear them all day.  Some contact lenses are designed to be worn on a continuing basis - such as 30 day and night extended wear.  With extended wear comes more maintenance and responsibility on the patient's part so it may not suit everyone.  Daily replacement is the easiest and there is not cleaning process involved.

"I can't wear contacts.  They don't make them in my prescription

Most all patient can wear contacts - just sometimes you may need a specialty lens not available at most opticians. And independent optometrist may be able to offer more options that a high street opticians.  High street opticians normally stock and carry a limited range of contacts to keep the costs down.

"Can't I just order my contacts online - what's the point of having an EXAM for them?"

A contact lens is a medical device and in the UK can only be fitted and sold by a qualified professional. There are lots of online companies - some out of the country and some in the UK - that will let you order your own lenses without checking for the validity of the prescription.  Many optometrists and hospital eye consultant see the results of poorly fitted contacts' damage to patient's vision.  At the least, irritation could occur and at worst you could lose your sight due to corneal damage.  A contact must be properly fitted, vision assessed and checked on a frequent basis to ensure optimum eye health and vision.  Just because your lenses were fitted once doesn't mean they will always be the best ones for you. 

"Kid's can't wear contacts - because their eyes are still growing"

I have fit toddlers in contacts for special visual needs in the past.  Of course the responsibility of the parents falls on the parents to handle insertion, removal and disinfection of the lenses.  Parents may be a good judge, but often times I find children do much better with the contact lens than their parents predicted.  In some cases of myopic management (where I try to slow down the progression of short sightedness), a contact lens is the better option versus spectacle lens correction. There is no particular age requirement for contact lens use.  And no age you should stop wearing them also!

"I don't need to wash my hands when removing my contacts

Yes, you do.  Wash and dry your hands before inserting and removing your contacts.

Do you have a question about contact lenses and wonder if they're right for you?

Post your question in the comments below so everyone can benefit from the question and answer.  Alternatively, if you'd rather keep your question private, then please do drop me an email. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. 
Email your Contact Lens Question
Book an appointment today
0 Comments

Cycling and Contact Lenses

10/9/2019

0 Comments

 
If you have a significant prescription and cycle then you know the spectacle options for you are limited.  To have the best "wrapped" style specs for cycling, you may need to ignore your correction and go without or use those small lens inserts.

Have you considered contacts as an option? 

Not all contacts are suitable for a cyclist though; daily replacements are definitely the best to opt for.  If you are anything like my husband, you will most likely return from cycling with mud all over the place.  There is lots of bacteria out there and you don't want that affecting your eyes.  Make sure to remove your contacts if you get anything in your eyes.  But please - wash your hands before if you can.

Some contacts will offer better "breathability" for you when cycling.  A favourite of mine is Dailies Total 1.  They are so comfortable you may forget you have them in so don't forget to remove when you return from cycling or before going to sleep.
Picture of my husband James cycling
My husband James Jerome, a patient & avid cyclist

Do you play other sports? Are you considering contact lenses?

 Give us a call or drop us an email so we can see if they are the right option for you.
Contact Us today
0 Comments

    Dr Valarie Jerome 

    Writing and sharing interesting topics affecting patients in their daily life, our practice news and the profession of optometry.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019

    Categories

    All
    About Me
    Anti-Ageing Vision Solutions
    Contact Lenses
    Cycling
    Dry Eyes
    Newbury
    Optometrist Vs Optician
    Sports

    RSS Feed

Picture


WINNER 2020 SMALL BUSINESS TOP 100 
AwaRDED by Small Business Saturday UK



winner 2021 Female Entrepreneurs top 100 
AWARDED BY f:entrepreneur 



key links

Home
Services
About
Blog
Contact
​
Privacy Policy
Book Appointment

Company

49 Northbrook Street
Newbury, Berkshire
RG14 1DT


Company No: 09884393

Follow us

get in touch

01635 528844
​

​Store Hours
​
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 
9AM-5:30PM

Tuesdays
Closed 

Fridays
9AM-5PM

Saturday
By Appointment Only

website design

© 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Created  by Carolyn Creator of Websites
Photo used under Creative Commons from Semtrio
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Book Online
  • Contact