Wearing contact lenses
Can I wear contact lenses?
Most likely, yes. Contact lenses are available to correct most eye conditions, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.
Learn more about the vision correction capabilities of contact lenses.
How many people wear contact lenses in the United States?
An estimated 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, according to data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes 3.6 million adolescents, 7.5 million young adults, and 33.9 million adults. In fact, one in six adults in the U.S. wears contact lenses.
Should children wear contact lenses?
Studies have found children as young as eight can adapt to and care for contacts. The best way to determine if contact lenses are safe for your child is to evaluate how willing he or she is to wearing and taking care of them.
Should I wear contacts when playing sports?
Contact lenses are the best vision correction option for athletes. Unlike glasses, contacts stay in place, provide a wider field of vision, and eliminate the risk of glasses-related injuries.
Is it safe to swim with contact lenses?
Avoid swimming with your contact lenses in. Doing so could result in eye infections, irritation and more severe conditions. The FDA states contact lenses should not be exposed to any kind of water.
Caring for your contact lenses
Is it difficult to take care of contact lenses?
Oxygen permeable contacts need daily cleaning and disinfecting. Weekly soft disposables are cleaned daily and must be soaked in disinfecting solution. Daily disposable lenses are discarded, each day and have no maintenance requirements.
Get more information regarding the care of your contact lenses.
Is it okay to clean contacts with tap water?
No. Disinfecting solution must be used with soft lenses. A saline solution may be used for temporary storage, but the lenses must be disinfected prior to use. Do not create your own saline solution because it is not sterile and will risk contamination.
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Certain soft lenses can be slept in, but you’ll need to consult with your eye care practitioner to make this determination.
What kind of eye drops can I use?
Most importantly, don’t use medicated eye drops unless your eye doctor instructs you do so. Only use products specifically designed for use with the type of lens you are wearing.
It’s okay to use a saline solution with any contact lens, however, the re-wetting drops for RGP lenses are more effective.
Common health concerns
Will contact lenses hurt?
People tend to fear putting objects in their eyes, but it shouldn’t prevent you from trying contact lenses. Most new wearers are surprised by how comfortable contact lenses are and quickly get used to putting them in and claim they no longer feel contact lenses on their eyes after a short time. If you choose RGP, GP contacts, or hybrid contact lenses, it may take a few weeks to adapt.
The various types of contact lenses are explained in this infographic.
Can contact lenses get lost behind my eye?
Though this is a common fear, this does not happen. It’s possible to dislodge a lens from its proper position, but it’s likely you’ll find it under your upper eyelid.
Can contact lenses damage my eyes?
Provided you clean them as directed and replace them when recommended contact lenses are perfectly safe.
Purchasing contact lenses
How do I get contact lenses?
Your eye care professional will determine if contact lenses are right for you. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the FDA and require a valid prescription from an eye doctor. You can choose to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How can I get contacts that change the color of my eyes?
Soft contacts that will change the color of your eyes are available—even if you don’t require vision correction. But remember, all contacts are medical devices that must be prescribed by an eye care professional.
How much do contact lenses cost?
As you would expect, the price of contact lenses vary depending on the type of contacts you need or choose. If your eye doctor prescribes disposable contact lenses, you should expect an annual lens cost of $500 to $700. Over the long-term, eyeglasses are generally a cheaper option.
Should I spend more to get disposable contact lenses?
Many people prefer them and doctors often recommend disposable contact lenses because they pose lower health risks and have no maintenance requirements. Also, the use of daily disposable contact lenses eliminates the need to buy contact lens solution.
Will my insurance provide coverage for contact lenses?
Your health insurance plan may or may not include vision coverage. Look into it and determine if benefits are provided for contact lenses. Plans typically offer (1) a discount at participating retailers or (2) an annual allowance for your contact lens exam and purchases.
Understand, contact lenses prices from approved sellers may not be better than what’s offered by some product providers.
EZContacts is an out-of-network provider but can assist you in your insurance claims. EZContacts will process your insurance claim on your behalf and you will be reimbursed by the insurance company.
Read more about vision insurance online.
Do I need a prescription to buy contact lenses online?
Yes. In the United States, consumers have the right to receive a copy of their prescription so they can purchase lenses where they choose. The law also requires prescribers to verify the prescription to any third party the patient designates, including an online merchant.
Can I buy contact lenses with a glasses prescription?
No, your eyeglasses prescription will not convert. Though your glasses prescription may look similar to what your contact lenses prescription may be, it will not give you the same visual acuity.
Your prescription for contact lenses will include specifications that are not part of a glasses prescription. Your contact lenses must match the size and shape of your eye with information regarding base curve and diameter.
If you want to try contact lenses, visit your eye doctor for an exam and contact lens fitting.
Where is the best place to buy contact lenses?
The best place to buy contact lenses depends on factors including availability, cost and service. After getting your prescription, you can order lenses from your doctor, at retail stores and online.
Should I expect to pay processing fees?
No, but beware. Sometimes processing fees, which may be hidden before the checkout process, exist. Processing fees are likely to be described as extra “handling” costs.
This tricky method is highly suspect. At EZContacts.com, you will never encounter processing fees. The prices on the website are competitive and shipping costs are accurate to the penny. There are NO processsing fees or minimums.
EZContacts offers 15 leading brands of contact lenses and all of the popular types prescribed by eyecare professionals.
