If you wear contact lenses, you’ll no doubt have experienced a time when you fell asleep on the sofa—maybe to the lulling background sounds of a favorite movie—only to wake up to blurry, dry eyes. You forgot to remove your contact lenses before sleeping, or maybe you didn’t know you’d actually fall asleep. But when you go to remove the lenses, they’re so “glued” to your eyes that you have to apply eye drops before you can even extract the lenses.

Ortho-K Lenses: The Exception to the Rule

There is an exception to the rule, however (isn’t there always?). Some lenses are actually meant to be worn overnight so that they can do their work. The exception is ortho-K lenses. Ortho-K lenses are a specialized type of rigid gas-permeable contact lens designed to be worn overnight and made of oxygen permeable material. Unlike regular soft contact lenses, Ortho-K lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting vision so that you don’t need glasses or daytime contact lenses. So if your optometrist in Coldwater, MS has prescribed these lenses, feel free to slumber away in them.

Increased Risk of Eye Infections

Sleeping in contact lenses creates an environment where bacteria and other harmful microorganisms can thrive. The cornea, which requires oxygen to stay healthy, is limited as to how much oxygen it gets when it’s covered by a contact lens, and even less when the eyes are closed during sleep.

Corneal Hypoxia and Irritation

That same reduction in oxygen can lead to corneal hypoxia, where the cells of the cornea become deprived of oxygen. This can cause swelling, redness, blurred vision and discomfort. That’s why you have blurriness when you wake up. Over time, chronic oxygen deprivation can lead to more severe complications, such as corneal ulcers or abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye.

You aren’t meant to be sleeping with your contact lenses on. Doing this accidentally every now and again is no cause for worry. But doing it on a regular basis can cause some pretty serious issues. Contact Coldwater Vision Center for more information about contact lenses in Coldwater, MS.

As eye doctors in Coldwater, MS, one of the most common questions we’re asked is, “At what age can my child wear contact lenses?” There’s no definitive answer to this question since each situation is different. The answer depends on various factors, including the child’s age and level of maturity. However, other things come into play, too.

Assessing your Child’s Readiness to Wear Contact Lenses

Parents are the first ones to be able to assess whether their child is ready to wear contact lenses. Try to be as objective as possible when considering the following:

• Is your child able to follow instructions?
• Is your child generally willing to follow instructions without supervision?
• Does your child maintain good hygiene in other areas, such as brushing teeth, washing hands, cleaning after themselves in the toilet, etc.?
• Does your child take care of their possessions, such as putting toys away, hanging up clothes or putting them in the laundry basket, making their bed, etc.?
• Can your child keep track of their things, or do you find that they often lose or misplace things?

As you make the assessment at home with this checklist, bear in mind that these have no weight on whether your child is a “good” child or responsible. If your child doesn’t have the full skillset now, they may simply need more time to develop. Every child develops and matures at their own pace.

The Generally Acceptable Age

Most eye care professionals recommend waiting until a child is about 11 or 12 before fitting them with contact lenses. By this age, children are typically more responsible and better able to handle the daily maintenance required for contact lenses. However, this age recommendation is not set in stone, and some children may be ready to wear contact lenses earlier or later than others.

If you’re interested in pediatric contact lenses in Coldwater, MS, please book an appointment with us today. We can help assess whether your child is ready for this important step. And, if it turns out that contacts aren’t in the picture yet, we can help your child feel good about wearing glasses for a few more years!

When your child wants contact lenses, your first instinct might be to tell them to stick with their glasses. These accessories may be prone to falling off during sports, but at least they both protect your child’s eyes and don’t require much more upkeep than a simple wipe-down every once in a while. However, there are kids as young as eight who can be trusted with the responsibility of contacts. Here are a few ways to tell whether your child is ready.

1. They Seem Committed

They haven’t just asked once or twice after seeing an ad for colored contacts or talking to a friend who just got contact lenses in Coldwater, MS. If your child has mapped out all the ways that they will care for these visual aids, including a schedule based on best-care practices, you can consider taking the next step. Just remember that contact lenses is a constant responsibility, and even if they become ill or they’re extremely tired, they still need to take care of their eyes.

2. They’ve Demonstrated Responsibility in Other Areas

Even the most motivated kids at the beginning can start to slack off after a while. If your child is lackadaisical about even the things they profess to love, like playing the guitar, then they should probably hold off on contacts. Of course, if they’re doing their homework on time, every time, right before doing all the dishes, you can probably cut them some slack.

3. They’ve Been to a Reputable Eye Doctor in Coldwater, MS

The right optometrist in Coldwater can give you and your child the advice they need to make more informed decisions about what to do next. Even with all of the products on the market, including daily contact lenses that are designed to cut down on upkeep, there are still more responsibilities that come with contacts than with glasses.

If you want to know more about how to handle your child’s requests, particularly if they haven’t let up on asking, the staff at Coldwater Vision Center may be able to help. We’re here not only to give your child a thorough exam but to provide both of you with advice that will ensure long-term health for their eyes.

Contact lenses are a popular alternative to traditional eyeglasses, providing people with a clear and unrestricted worldview. Contact lenses are a great option to consider whether you’re looking to improve your vision or want a more comfortable and convenient solution. In this post, we will look at some of the benefits of contact lenses and why they might be right for you.

The proficient team at Coldwater Vision Center of Coldwater, MS, is proud to serve the local community with premium vision care services and products, including much-needed traditional and customized lenses.

What are Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are small, clear, and flexible disks placed directly on the eye to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Contact lenses are available in different styles, materials, and wear schedules, so you can find a solution that works best for your lifestyle and visual needs.

What are Some Benefits of Contact Lenses?

There are many benefits of contact lenses over glasses, including the following list.

Wider Field of View

One of the benefits of contact lenses is that they provide a wider field of view compared to traditional eyeglasses. This means that you can see more of the world around you without obstructions, which can be particularly useful when playing sports or engaging in other physical activities.

Less Distortion and Obstruction

Another benefit of contact lenses is that they don’t cause distortion or obstruction in the same way that eyeglasses can. This is because contact lenses are positioned directly on the eye rather than in front of it, eliminating any distortion caused by the lenses. Additionally, no frame or bridge obstructs your vision, giving you a more transparent and unobstructed view of the world.

Reduces Glare

Contact lenses can also help reduce glare, making them an excellent option for people who experience discomfort driving or engaging in outdoor activities. Glare reduction can improve visual clarity, reduce eye strain, and make it easier to see in bright light conditions.

Your Local Quality Vision Center

If you’re considering contact lenses, finding a local vision center that can provide you with the expertise and care you need is paramount. The expert team at Coldwater Vision Center of Coldwater, MS, will be able to efficiently diagnose and treat all symptoms, so you can rest assured that you are receiving the personalized attention and care you deserve.