Friday, July 9, 2010

Summer Fun and Contact Lenses

The summer months are the most active for those who enjoy outdoor activities and are certainly the most comfortable. Dashing out the door without having to burden yourself with extra clothing after a long winter is a liberating feeling, especially for those who wear contact lenses instead of glasses.

Not only are contact lenses convenient, they are also more practical. How many times have eyeglasses gotten in the way of enjoying outdoor games and pastimes because of decreased peripheral vision and slipping frames? Contacts eliminate both of those problems. If you still wear specs and continue to struggle through warm weather activities, then it is time to seriously consider switching to contacts.

The selection of contact lenses has never been greater, due to ongoing improvements and innovations targeted to enhance comfort and convenience. Soft contacts (including silicone hydrogels) have come along to extend wear time and maximize moisture for healthy eyes. Multifocal and toric lenses are available for those with presbyopia and astigmatism, so all ages can enjoy the benefits these contacts give. Many of these offer UV blocking* as an added measure of protection against the sun.

With the introduction of daily disposables water sports have become less of a problem. Whether one is swimming in lake water, municipal pool, or a familiar private swimming pool, water splashed in the eyes while wearing contact lenses increases the chances of infection and other eye damage caused by microorganisms in the water. These incidences are minimized when the affected contacts are promptly removed and replaced with a fresh pair. Daily disposables also mean you no longer have to carry cleaning and solution kits to disinfect your lenses.

Today there are online retailers that make it very convenient to purchase contact lenses inexpensively and in a timely manner. Quick surfing of the Internet will give you a list of vendors who will meet your needs. All that is required is a valid prescription provided by your eye doctor. Purchasing lenses online cuts down on traveling to box store lens sellers and wasting valuable time that is better spent enjoying your summer.

Consult with your eye doctor who will assist you in choosing and fitting the appropriate contact lens for your needs. Nothing defines ‘carefree summer days’ more than the ability to leave your eyeglasses behind and enjoy the natural feel of wearing contacts during warm weather activities.


*Keep in mind that contact lenses that block UV radiation only protect the cornea—that part of the eye covered by the lenses. For full eye protection from UV rays, appropriate sunglasses that shield the entire eye area are needed.

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