Switching From Glasses To Contact Lenses

Switching From Glasses To Contact Lenses: What To Expect

Are you considering ditching your thick coke-bottle eyeglasses for a pair of contact lenses in Jacksonville? From exploring new vistas in makeup to seeing more clearly and accurately, contact lenses can be a life-altering experience!

Here are a few things to know before making the switch. 

#1. You’ll Need To Dedicate More Time To Your Contact Lens Care

Contact lenses require more maintenance than glasses: most can only be worn a few times and must thus be ordered regularly, and even reusable lenses must be cleaned daily, and lenses must always be removed nightly in order to avoid unpleasant complications.

Despite this additional work, many people choose to wear contacts at least some of the time because it’s often convenient to be free of glasses, and because they are becoming increasingly easy to use due to continuously improving materials. An eye doctor near you will give you the proper instructions for contact lens care.

#2. Allow Some Time To Adapt (And Enjoy) Your New Look

If you have a strong prescription, be prepared for a big adjustment. Glasses cause objects and people to appear smaller than they actually are. Your new contact lenses will make everything look huge for a while. It takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it. 

Keep in mind that right afterward, your hand-eye coordination will take a hit. For example, if you play piano, the keyboard will look much bigger, and even though your hands remember where to go, your brain could get in the way for a while. 

Contact lenses allow wearers to correct their vision without changing their appearance, making them an ideal choice for anyone who doesn’t like the way they look in glasses.

People can certainly switch between contacts and glasses, but they must be mindful of the maintenance required by each.

#3. Your Eyes May Get Dry and Itchy At Times 

If you suffer from itchy eyes or allergies, keep in mind that rubbing your eyes will have to be approached with care. Lightly rub along the outside of your eye and avoid rubbing directly over the lens. You could shift it off of your cornea and it might slip into your lower lid, or worse, drop on the floor.

Be prepared with some saline solution, a contact lens case, and a back-up pair of glasses just in case you need to remove your lenses. 

#4.  Switching From Glasses To Contacts Can Cause Some Blurry Vision

There may be occasions when your vision becomes blurry while you are wearing your new contact lenses. It’s common to lose a little sharpness of vision after switching from glasses to contacts.  If you just updated your prescription, your eyes need to adjust.

If you are experiencing blurriness after switching from glasses to contacts, follow this:

• Make sure you have cleaned your contacts correctly. If you’re experiencing blurry vision with your new contacts, make sure you’re using a solution made for your type of lenses. Cleaning the lenses with the right solution and reinserting the contacts will usually clear up the vision.
• Make sure the contact lens is centered on your eye. Your contact lens may move out of place more frequently, causing your vision to blur. If the lens is moving around in your eye(s), your vision will probably be blurry. You can blink the contact lens back into place or use eye drops to help. If you feel like your lenses are moving or rotating, an eye doctor may need to adjust the fit of your contact lens.
• If you tried all of the above after switching from glasses to contact lenses and still have blurry vision, your prescription may be incorrect. Contact lenses are supposed to clear up vision, not blur it. If the problem persists, call your nearest eye doctor for a contact lens exam and tell them you experiencing blurry vision after switching from glasses to contact lenses

#5. Contact Lenses Can Affect The Way You Apply Makeup 

For ladies, another exciting ride in the world of contact lenses is the ability to really put your makeup skills to the test. Glasses make your eyes look diminished, and without them obscuring your eyes, your true beauty (with makeup enhancements, of course) will shine through. 

It’s important to follow some tips for makeup application for contact lens wearers. Putting your face on for a night on the town will take on a whole new meaning. 

#6. Contact Lenses Will Likely Cost More

Owning contact lenses, more often than not, can be more expensive than glasses. Most are disposable lenses that last about two weeks, and then you need to switch to a clean pair.

Glasses are more affordable over the long term, especially if your prescription is stable. However, there are hard lenses available that last much longer than the soft lenses and may be right for you and your pocketbook. 

Many people find contact lenses to be an excellent investment. Call your local eye doctor to see how much a contact lens exam costs as a first step. From being able to see more accurately to being able to bring your face out of hiding, contacts can be a big boost to your self-image and your self-esteem. And that is an investment worth making.

#7. Contact Lenses Have A Higher Risk Of Infection

Wearing contacts increases the risk of eye infection. This is because contacts cover the cornea, thereby reducing the oxygen levels in it. To minimize the chances of infections, observe the following precautions:

• Practice strict contact lens hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly when handling your contacts.
• Remove contacts before bed time. All contacts, including extended wear contacts, should be removed before going to bed.
• Avoid touching contact lenses with water. Remove your contacts when bathing, swimming, or using a hot tub.
• Don’t use saliva to moisten your contact lenses.
• Use the right solutions. Make sure you only use only commercially-prepared and sterile solutions and not water or home-made saline solutions to clean contacts.
• Throw away the contacts after their expiration date.

#8. Don’t Toss Our Your Old Eyeglasses Just In Case

For much of their history, eyeglasses were considered “medical devices” that were sometimes humiliating to wear. Today, eyeglasses are now so popular that many are sold even with non-prescription lenses.

While glasses require significantly less hygienic maintenance than contact lenses, it’s important that wearers keep a backup pair and repair kit handy in case of breaks.

Schedule an Appointment at VAL-Uvision in Jacksonville, FL Today!

With two eye care locations in Jacksonville, VAL-Uvision is the area’s premier destination for eye care, offering everything from routine eye exams to more advanced procedures. Our team has decades of collective experience in eye care and works hard to ensure every patient’s comfort and satisfaction. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment at either of our locations.