Contact Lenses Specialist

Are Contact Lenses Easy to Wear?

For most people, it's very easy to wear contacts. In general, patients tend to make the adjustment from exclusively wearing glasses to wearing contacts in a matter of a few days.

The team at Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii helps new patients as they're learning how to insert contacts, teaching them a few simple tips and tricks that make the process easy. Soft contacts are the easiest type to wear, while most patients say that hard lenses -- rigid, gas permeable contacts -- are the most difficult to use. But, with some extra adjustment time and help from this practice’s trained professionals, even those can be worn easily.

What Type of Care is Required for Contact Lenses?

First of all, every patient needs to remember not to wear their lenses overnight. Doing so can damage both the lenses and the eyes over time. Other than that, most contact lenses have very easy care instructions. The exact care routine depends on the type of lens.

Daily wear lenses require no care at all, as they are simply thrown out after one use. All other types of lenses need to be removed at bedtime and soaked in contact lens solution. Solutions can rinse, clean, and thoroughly disinfect the patient’s lenses, with no complicated routines needed.

Is it Possible to Lose a Contact in the Eye?

While it may temporarily seem as if a contact lens has vanished in the eye, never to be seen again, it's still there. Often, the lens get caught under the eyelid, usually the upper lid, but sometimes the lower lid. If the patient gently manipulates the eyelids, that should get the lens moving. If the lens still can't be found, double check clothing and the area all around the eye. The lens may have fallen without being noticed.

When are Kids Old Enough for Contacts?

That depends on the child. Some kids can start wearing contacts at age 12 or even earlier, but it does require maturity and a bit of patience to learn the contact lens routine. Rest assured, the doctors at Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii can help parents determine the right time for their child to try wearing contacts.

What Types of Contacts are Available?

There’s a wide range of contacts available, including daily use and extended wear contacts. Patients with special needs can opt for lenses made just for their condition. There are lenses made just for people with astigmatism, for example. Even colored contacts are available for those who want to improve their vision and change their eye color simultaneously.

 *Individual Results May Vary