Are contact lenses safe?
Yes. Contact lenses are generally safe when prescribed, fitted and cared for correctly. Poor hygiene, sleeping in lenses that are not prescribed for overnight wear, and wearing lenses longer than directed can increase the risk of infection or other eye problems.
Can I wear contact lenses every day?
Often, yes. Many lenses are intended for daily use, provided your eyes remain healthy and you follow the prescribed wearing and replacement schedule. Your practitioner will advise how many hours to wear them and when to take breaks.
Can I swim or shower with contact lenses?
No. Remove contact lenses before swimming, showering and using hot tubs. Water can carry microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. Prescription swimming goggles may be a safer alternative for water activities. Scleral lenses are the one exception for showering: see “Can I take a shower with my scleral lenses on?”.
What is Ortho-K and how does it work?
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) uses specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses, usually worn during sleep, to temporarily reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea). The lenses are removed after waking, allowing many patients to see more clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Is Ortho-K safe for children?
Ortho-K may be appropriate for carefully selected children when professionally fitted and monitored. However, sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of corneal infection, which can sometimes threaten vision. Strict hygiene, parental supervision when needed, and regular follow-up visits are essential.
How do scleral lenses work?
Most contact lenses sit on the corneal surface itself. Scleral lenses are larger and wider, resting on the sclera (the white part of the eye). The lens then vaults over the cornea, leaving a fluid-filled chamber between the lens and the surface of the eye. This design helps hydrate the eye and compensates for irregularities in the shape of the corneal surface.
Are scleral lenses comfortable?
Initially, there may be a sense of awareness with scleral lenses, or “knowing that the lens is there”. It can take some time to acclimate to this feeling, especially if you have never worn a contact lens before. In the long run most patients report that scleral lenses are more comfortable than other types of rigid lenses, to the point where they are hardly noticeable. The design of scleral lenses helps reduce corneal irritation and keeps the eye hydrated and healthy. They are also custom-designed to fit the unique shape of each individual eye, factors that provide for all-day comfort. While some specialty contact lenses are suitable to wear overnight, scleral lenses are not. It is advised to remove them before going to bed each night.
Can I take a shower with my scleral lenses on?
For scleral lenses only: yes, but try to avoid it if not necessary. Regular contact of water with your lenses may invite deposition on the lens surface and may affect lens performance.