Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Whether you're considering contact lenses for the first time, or you're a long-time wearer curious about contact lens options, this section gives you the basics:




Contact lenses are small, thin, optical lenses worn directly on the eye to correct vision problems (like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia). Contact lenses can be hard or soft, can replace glasses or bifocal glasses and can also enhance or change the colour of your eyes.

Most contact lenses are soft, or 'hydrophilic', meaning they are made of water. (This is how soft contact lenses stay soft.) Soft contact lenses are extremely thin and are manufactured from materials that allow oxygen to pass through them and reach the eye surface.

Almost everyone can wear contact lenses - even some babies are fitted with contact lenses when they have eye problems! Most people start wearing contacts in their early teens, but even children as young as 8 years old can learn to wear (and take care of) contact lenses.

[BACK TO TOP]




Spherical (Regular) Contact Lenses: These lenses correct basic vision problems like short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia). Most people who wear soft contact lenses wear spherical contact lenses. There are several different types of lenses out there, One Day lenses are popular, along with the new Hydrogel lenses such as the ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ with HYDRACLEAR™ , 1•DAY ACUVUE® COLOURS , and ACUVUE® OASYS™ with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus.

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: These lenses correct astigmatism by compensating for the irregular surface of the eye. Vision correction with toric lenses can be as good as what you would get with glasses.

Contact Lenses for Presbyopia: Bifocal contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia (inability to focus sharply for near vision).

Coloured (Cosmetic) Contact Lenses: Coloured (Cosmetic) contact lenses are regular spherical contacts that have a special colour layer safely embedded within the lens - allowing the colour to blend with your own natural eye colour, while never touching your eye. This unique colour layer allows anyone to change or enhance their eye colour, whether you have light eyes, dark eyes, or even 20/20 eyes.

[BACK TO TOP]




Soft contact lenses come in three basic wear schedules:

Daily Disposable: Wear them for one day and then throw them away. Daily disposable contact lenses can be thrown out and replaced every day. One Day contact lenses offer a healthy and convenient way to wear contact lenses. No solutions, no lens case, no maintenance!

Daily Wear: Wear them during the day, take them out at night, clean and disinfect them, and put the same lenses back in the next day. Daily wear lenses are worn for two weeks or 0ne month and then discarded and replaced with a new pair.

Extended Wear: Wear them all day and all night, even while sleeping. Extended wear lenses are worn for 6 nights, 7 days and then discarded and replaced with a new pair. Several makes such as ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS can be worn in this way. They are designed to help keep your eyes feeling moist and fresh even in challenging environments.

[BACK TO TOP]




MYTH: Contact lenses can get lost behind your eye.

FACT: Absolutely not - it's physically impossible for a contact lens to get 'behind' your eye. A thin membrane covers your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelids, so the lens can't move off the front surface of your eye.

MYTH: Contact lenses can get fused to your eye.

FACT: There are lots of 'urban legends' about contact lenses getting stuck or fused to people's eyes. There is absolutely no truth to these made-up stories.

MYTH: Contact lenses are a pain to take care of.

FACT: Contacts are simple and hassle-free. For regular lenses, opt for an easy-care, one-step lens solution. Or you can choose daily disposable lenses that you wear for a day and toss away.

MYTH: Contact lenses hurt.

FACT: Soft contact lenses are very comfortable and easy to wear. Most people 'get used to' their lenses in a couple of days, and afterwards say it feels like wearing nothing at all in the eye.

MYTH: Contacts can pop out of your eye and get lost.

FACT: Hard contact lenses used to do this sometimes, many years ago. With modern soft contact lenses, 'popping out' just doesn't happen. and so they are great to use for sport and leisure activities.

MYTH: Teenagers shouldn't wear contact lenses.

FACT: Lots of contact lens wearers are teens - even some children wear contact lenses. Wearing and caring for contact lenses is very important, but it's easy and an excellent alternative to wearing glasses. If you're responsible enough to take care of your lenses, age doesn't matter.

MYTH: People over 40 shouldn't wear contact lenses.

FACT: People of all ages wear contact lenses successfully. And thanks to bifocal contact lenses, many Baby Boomers are kissing the reading glasses goodbye, too.

MYTH: You can get 'pink eye' and other infections from contact lenses.

FACT: Some lens-related health problems do occur, but these are almost always a result of poor cleaning routines or other care-related issues. If you follow your Eye Care Professional's directions, your eyes are at little risk of infection. 1-Day Acuvue® offer a healthy and convenient way to wear contact lenses. No solutions, no lens case, no maintenance. Just wear them once and throw them away.

[BACK TO TOP]