A: In most instances, soft lenses are very easy to get used to and most people will adjust within the first week or two. There are some people with very sensitive eyes who are never quite able to get used to wearing contacts, although that is rather rare.



Q: Are soft contact lenses difficult to care for?

A: Not at all. With the advent of one-step systems you can clean, rinse, and disinfect soft contacts all with one product. The main thing to remember is to clean contacts after every use, unless they are the soft, disposable variety of course, store the lenses properly, and always wash your hands before cleaning or handling them.

Q: Will a soft contact ever "get lost" behind the eye?

A: No, the farthest it can go is up behind the eye lid, and even in the worst case scenario, your doctor or eye doctor should easily be able to remove the errant lens.

Q: Shouldn't children be of a certain age before wearing soft contacts?

A: That decision is usually made by both the parents and the eye doctor as the responsibility level of children will vary. Even infants can be fitted with contacts to correct certain eye problems as the eye is able to adapt to wearing lenses at a young age. Take into consideration how responsible your child is, and discuss the issue with their eye doctor before giving it a "trial period" to see how well it goes.

Q: What's the best way to save money when buying soft contact lenses?

A: First check to see if your health insurance features any type of eye coverage, and then comparison shop online to find the best prices before buying. Usually the more you buy, the lower the cost will be, which is especially true of many online vendors and mass retailers as opposed to optometric chains.

Q: I want coloured contact lenses, will I still need a prescription?

A: Yes, coloured contacts still require a prescription as they are considered to be a medical device even though they don't correct your vision. In fact, in many places, it's illegal to sell contacts to someone without a valid prescription from an eye doctor.

Q: I need bifocals, will I still be able to wear soft contact lenses?

A: Yes, those with the condition known as presbyopia, which usually starts around the age of 40, makes it increasingly difficult to focus on things regardless of the distance. Bifocals have two different prescriptions in the same lens and are available in soft contacts, with the near power located in the center of the lens, and the distance power around the outer portion of the lens.

Q: How often will I need to visit the eye doctor after starting to wear soft contacts?

A: After being fitted for soft contacts, you'll probably have to return in about a week if you're a new wearer to make sure you aren't having any problems. Other than that, visiting your eye doctor on a yearly basis to check your prescription and the overall health of your eyes should be all that's necessary.