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Contact Lens Care FAQ
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Contact Lens FAQ
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Are contact lenses difficult to take care of?
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Can I switch my brand of contact lens solution to another brand on the market?
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Can I wear contact lenses while participating in sports?
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Can I wear contact lenses while swimming?
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Can I wear my contact lenses while I sleep or nap?
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How often should I replace my contact lenses?
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How should I store my RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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If I am pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, can I continue to wear my contact lenses?
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If I have laser surgery, will I still need my glasses or contact lenses?
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What is the adjustment period for RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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Q
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Are contact lenses difficult to take care of?
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A
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Because there are many different types of contact lenses, there are also many different methods of caring for them. At most, you would need to clean and disinfect your lenses on a daily basis, and soak them in an enzyme solution on a weekly basis. If you like contact lenses, but do not want to have to follow a cleaning/disinfecting schedule, daily disposable lenses would likely be best as they are disposed of before maintenance is required.
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Can I switch my brand of contact lens solution to another brand on the market?
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The contact lens solution which is recommended by your eye care professional is likely the best choice for you considering your contact lenses, contact lens care procedures, and eye condition. You should not switch to a different brand without first consulting with your eye care professional.
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Can I wear contact lenses while participating in sports?
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There are great advantages to wearing contact lenses for visual correction when participating in sports. Contact lenses offer athletes a competitive advantage because unlike glasses, contact stay in place through a wide variety of activities and conditions. Contacts will not steam up from perspiration, or fog up if you move from cold to warm temperatures. As well, contacts provide better peripheral vision and depth perception, while eliminating the risk of injury caused by wearing glasses while participating in sports, and making it easier to wear protective goggles.
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Can I wear contact lenses while swimming?
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It is recommended that contact lenses not be worn while swimming. Because contacts are hydrophilic (water-loving), they easily absorb water. When swimming, contacts will absorb the water, but will also absorb the chemicals and impurities in the water which can lead to contamination of both the lens and your eye, possibly resulting in a mild to serious eye infection.
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Can I wear my contact lenses while I sleep or nap?
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You should ask your eye care practitioner. There are a number of factors, including what types of lenses you’re wearing, which will need to be considered before any recommendation can be made. Until you’ve discussed this you should not sleep with your contact lenses.
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How often should I replace my contact lenses?
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The recommended replacement schedule of lenses depends upon the type of contact lenses prescribed. Replacement varies from 1-day, 1-week, 2-weeks, 1-month, or longer. It is best to follow the prescribed replacement schedule as determined by your eye care professional.
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How should I store my RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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A
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There are two methods of storing your RGP lenses which should ensure that the lenses are properly disinfected and hydrated prior to wearing. - Use a clean, dry closed rigid lens case. Four hours prior to wearing, disinfect and soak your lenses until you are ready to insert them.
- You can store your lenses in a contact lens solution recommended by your eye care professional, and replace the solution every 30 days. Be sure to soak and disinfect your lenses for at least 4 hours before wearing.
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If I am pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, can I continue to wear my contact lenses?
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Because of hormonal changes, dry eyes and water retention during pregnancy, your vision may be altered. Common problems are increased dryness, spots, distorted vision, blurred vision, or even hemorrhages in the eye. Contact lens wear can be reduced to lessen these problems, or lenses can be avoided completely during pregnancy. Your eye care professional can discuss these possible problems with you, and give you choices to meet your visual correction needs during pregnancy.
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If I have laser surgery, will I still need my glasses or contact lenses?
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Only a few patients who have laser surgery achieve 20/20 vision, so you may still need your glasses or contact lenses after the procedure. Ask your eye care professional for more information.
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Q
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What is the adjustment period for RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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The adjustment period for RGP lenses varies depending on the individual, but generally takes 2-3 weeks.
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Are contact lenses covered by insurance?
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Are contact lenses healthy, or can they cause damage to my cornea?
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Are contact lenses uncomfortable or painful to wear?
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At what age can I start wearing contact lenses?
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Can contact lenses correct my vision problems?
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Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
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Can I wear RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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Could contact lenses help to correct color blindness?
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Does OPTIK K&R Inc. sell colored or tinted contact lenses?
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Does OPTIK K&R Inc. sell directly to consumers?
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How much do contact lenses cost?
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I have no problems with my vision, but I would like to change the color of my eyes. Would I need a prescription to purchase colored lenses?
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I’ve heard that some contact lenses can slow or control nearsightedness. Is this true?
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Is it alright if I order my contact lenses online?
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What are aphakic lenses?
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What are colored contact lenses?
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What are daily-wear contact lenses?
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What are disposable contact lenses?
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What are enhancement tinted contact lenses?
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What are extended-wear contact lenses?
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What are frequent replacement contact lenses?
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What are planned replacement contact lenses?
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What is a visibility tint?
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What is an opthalmologist?
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What is an optician?
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What is an optometrist?
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What is astigmatism?
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What is hyperopia?
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What is myopia?
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What is presbyopia?
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Will contact lenses protect my eyes from UV (ultraviolet) rays?
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Are contact lenses covered by insurance?
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If you are considering contact lenses, contact your insurance provider to determine if your coverage includes contact lenses.
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Are contact lenses healthy, or can they cause damage to my cornea?
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Contact lenses can be a very healthy vision correction option for you. If you follow all the proper lens care and maintenance prescribed by your eye care professional, and have your corneal health evaluated regularly, contact lenses should be an effective and safe means of correcting your vision.
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Are contact lenses uncomfortable or painful to wear?
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There may be some initial discomfort, but proper contact lens fitting provided by your eye care practitioner can eliminate this irritation. Often, contact lens wearers have a brief period of adjustment, and then find that they don’t feel their contact lenses at all.
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At what age can I start wearing contact lenses?
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As soon as vision correction is necessary, you can consider contact lenses. If contact lenses are properly cared for and maintained, anyone at any age can wear them.
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Can contact lenses correct my vision problems?
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Most vision conditions, including hyperopia (farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness), can be corrected by contact lenses. Astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea) and presbyopia (a condition which occurs as a person ages) can also be corrected using today’s lenses and lens fitting techniques. Ask your eye care professional if you are unsure if your vision condition can be corrected with contact lenses.
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Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
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Yes, contact lenses called “torics” can correct astigmatism. These lenses can be soft, or RGP (rigid gas permeable), however RGP lenses are more firm and will hold the shape of your eye with a more custom-fit.
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Can I wear RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses?
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It is best if you discuss your eye care needs with your eye care professional. They can determine which method of vision correction will best suit your needs.
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Could contact lenses help to correct color blindness?
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Contact lenses cannot cure your color blindness, but there are certain contact lenses which can enhance the ability to distinguish color. If you suffer from color blindness, ask your eye care professional for further information regarding this type of contact lens.
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Does OPTIK K&R Inc. sell colored or tinted contact lenses?
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Yes, OPTIK K&R Inc. sells both colored (opaque) and tinted contact lenses. Our opaque lenses change the color of the eye, while our enhancement tinted lenses enhance the natural color of the eye, but do not change it.
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Does OPTIK K&R Inc. sell directly to consumers?
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Because a prescription is required for contact lenses, OPTIK K&R Inc. sells only to eye care professionals.
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How much do contact lenses cost?
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The cost of contact lenses is determined by many different things, such as: type of lenses, replacement schedule, lens care practices, and service and examination fees. If you have a specific type of lens in mind, contact your eye care professional for pricing information.
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I have no problems with my vision, but I would like to change the color of my eyes. Would I need a prescription to purchase colored lenses?
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Because contact lenses are an FDA-regulated medical device they must be prescribed and properly fitted. Contact lenses which do not fit properly can cause aggravation or serious eye problems, as can sharing cosmetic or colored lenses. If you are interested in colored lenses, contact your eye care professional.
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I’ve heard that some contact lenses can slow or control nearsightedness. Is this true?
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It is generally agreed that RGP (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses can slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness). Spectacles and soft contact lenses do not offer this benefit as the materials used differ from the firm plastic used for RGPs. The use of RGP lenses is favored for children and young adults as it is a means of controlling myopia, and further research is currently being conducted to determine how successfully RGPs can control myopia.
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Is it alright if I order my contact lenses online?
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Though the ease of e-commerce solutions can be appealing, you have to remember that contact lenses are medical devices. Lenses must fit correctly, and be worn and cared for properly to ensure ocular health and visual acuity. It is extremely important that these things are properly monitored by an eye care professional.
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Q
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What are aphakic lenses?
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A
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Aphakic lenses are specially designed contact lenses for patients suffering from aphakia (the absence of the lens in the eye).
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What are colored contact lenses?
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Colored or “opaque” contact lenses cover the color of your iris, thus completely changing your eye color.
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What are daily-wear contact lenses?
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Daily-wear contact lenses are designed to be removed daily for cleaning and disinfecting, and should be taken our before you nap or sleep.
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What are disposable contact lenses?
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Disposable contact lenses can be worn for a single day or more, depending on the wearing schedule prescribed by your eye care professional. Disposable lenses are normally prescribed in multi-packs.
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What are enhancement tinted contact lenses?
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Enhancement tinted contact lenses are different that colored “opaque” lenses. Enhancement tints blend with the color of your eye, rather than replacing it completely. There is a wide variety of enhancement colors available on almost all of the soft contact lenses which OPTIK K&R Inc. manufactures and distributes.
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What are extended-wear contact lenses?
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Extended-wear contact lenses can be worn overnight for one day to seven days before removal and cleaning. Your eye care practitioner might prescribe a different cleaning and wearing schedule depending on your needs.
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What are frequent replacement contact lenses?
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Frequent replacement contact lenses are designed to be replaced according to a schedule prescribed by your eye care practitioner. Usually lenses are replaced monthly, quarterly, or biannually.
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What are planned replacement contact lenses?
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Planned replacement contact lenses are designed to be replaced according to a schedule prescribed by your eye care practitioner. Usually lenses are replaced monthly, quarterly, or biannually.
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What is a visibility tint?
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Visibility tints will not change the color of your eye, they simply make it easier to see your lenses when handling them.
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What is an opthalmologist?
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An opthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) trained to diagnose and treat all disorders of eye, who can provide medical, surgical and optical treatment.
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What is an optician?
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An optician is a paramedical professional who dispenses and fist contact lenses, manufactures and distributes eyeglasses, and helps in the customer’s selection of frames.
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What is an optometrist?
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An optometrist (OD) is a healthcare professional licensed to diagnose and treat eye health and vision problems. An optometrist can prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and some opthalmic medications.
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What is astigmatism?
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Astigmatism is characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea, and patients suffering from astigmatism have difficulty with blurred vision as a result of light being scattered across different points of focus. This condition can be corrected for more patients by using toric contact lenses.
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What is hyperopia?
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The common term for hyperopia is farsightedness. It is a condition caused by the cornea being too flat, or the eyeball too short, resulting in the difficulty to see near objects clearly.
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What is myopia?
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The common term for myopia is nearsightedness. It is an inherited, and sometimes stress-related condition which occurs when the eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too curved resulting in the inability to see at a distance.
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What is presbyopia?
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Presbyopia usually becomes noticable as a person reaches middle age as the eye begins to lose its elasticity. The result is the difficulty or inability to focus on near objects.
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Will contact lenses protect my eyes from UV (ultraviolet) rays?
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Some contact lenses are manufactured using ultraviolet inhibiting material, but sunglasses are often a better means of protecting your eyes. Ask your eye care practitioner if there are lenses with UV block which are suitable for your vision correction needs.
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