Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci, in 1508, was the first one to illustrate the concept for contact lenses? The first contact lens was made out of glass in 1887 to fit the entire eye, but it was not until 1948 that the plastic contact was made only to cover the cornea, the colored part of your eye. The soft contact lens you know today was introduced in 1971 while hard (GP) lenses were introduced in 1978. The disposable soft contact lens was introduced in 1987.
Over the years, many improvements have been made in contact lens technology in terms of better comfort, fit and vision. Contact lenses are an alternative form of vision to correct common refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia. It is an excellent choice for people who don’t want to wear glasses full time or undergo LASIK surgery.
There are different modalities for contact lens wear. Daily wear must be removed nightly while extended wear allows overnight or continuous wear* without nightly removal. Soft contact lenses can be disposed daily, every two weeks or once a month while hard (GP) lenses range from 6 months to yearly.
Contact lenses provide a much wider field of vision versus glasses and can be more aesthetically pleasing. They provide better comfort for sports and exercise. Some contact lenses even provide UV protection.
Integrity Eye Associates carries a variety of contact lens brands from all the major companies. Our optometrist can provide a thorough examination to see if you are qualified to wear contact lenses. To make an appointment for a contact lens exam at our office in Wayne, Pa please call 484-580-8873 or visit www.integrityeyes.com
*Continuous wear is approved by the FDA for certain brands but increases the risk for potential irreversible damage to your eyes. As with any prescribed substance, contact lenses are like medication, and a yearly routine exam is recommended.