Wouldn't You Rather Wear Contacts
Than Glasses?
Than Glasses?
 |
| Wouldn't You Rather Wear Contacts Than Glasses? |
Do you wear glasses? If so, you may not realize what contact lenses, and especially GP contacts, can offer you. Here's a comparison chart to help you decide which vision option is best for you. (Many people choose both!)
Eyeglasses Contact Lenses
The distance between your eye and the lens sometimes creates distortion. Worn right on the eye, for more natural vision.
Poor peripheral (side) vision. Your entire field of view is in focus. This is especially important in sports and in driving, where you need to see as much around you as possible.
Constant awareness of frame and lens edge, as well as reflections off the backside of the lens. With contacts, no annoying obstructions or reflections are in view.
Uncomfortable weight on your face and ears. Periodic need for tightening or other adjustment. No weight and resulting discomfort. No frame constantly slipping down your nose.
Glasses fog up with changes in temperature. Contacts don't fog up.
Glasses are a distraction during games and sports. No distractions, which makes contact lenses a favorite among athletes.
Fashionable and inexpensive non-prescription sunglasses are not an option if you wear eyeglasses. A whole wardrobe of fashionable, functional, affordable sunglasses is available to contact lens wearers.
Glasses need to complement your outfit. For instance, casual frames may not suit evening attire. Or colors may clash. Contacts match everything you wear.
Eyeglasses are annoying to wear in rain or snow. Contact lenses won't collect precipitation and blur your vision.
Glasses are an unnatural, distracting barrier between your eyes and the world. Contacts don't detract from your natural appearance; they let people see your eyes.
There are many differences between glasses and contact lenses, but there are some similarities, too:
Both require careful handling and cleaning.
Glasses must be sprayed and wiped several times a day, while contacts need varying degrees of care, depending on the type. GP contact lenses are particularly fast and easy to clean.
Both can correct astigmatism.
An irregular cornea shape that distorts vision, astigmatism is something that many people think only glasses can correct. But GP contacts do an outstanding job of correcting astigmatism.
Both are affordable.
 |
| Wouldn't You Rather Wear Contacts Than Glasses? |
When you consider that you wear glasses or contact lenses every single day of your life, the amount you spend on them is far less than for any other item in your wardrobe. Considering how important they are to the quality of your life, they're invaluable.
Since glasses have few, if any, advantages over contact lenses, you may decide to throw yours away!
But if you're still undecided about which vision option is best for you, talk it over with your eye care practitioner.
==================================================
What Parents Need to Know About
Contact Lenses
 |
| What Parents Need to Know About Contact Lenses |
Many kids don't want to wear glasses. Contact lenses are a healthy option that can build your child's self-esteem.
One of the most common questions that eye care professionals hear from parents is, "When is it appropriate for children to start wearing contact lenses?"
Contact lens wear is not a matter of age. Many infants and toddlers wear them; some teenagers shouldn't. In other words, every case is different. Here are a few things you should know to help you decide whether contacts are a good idea for your own children:
Some contact lenses can slow the progression of nearsightedness.
Several studies on myopia control have had positive indications for GP lenses, although the results have not been entirely conclusive. However, researchers at The Ohio State University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have found that myopia is reduced and myopia-producing eye growth slowed when Orthokeratology lenses are worn at night only.
More studies are being conducted in this field, but many eye care professionals have seen good results in slowing the progression of myopia with GP contacts and continue to prescribe them for this purpose. In an independent study conducted for the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association, 69% of responding contact lens practitioners said they believe that GP contact lenses may reduce the progression of childhood myopia.
Contact lenses are better for sports activities.
Even if your child is wearing polycarbonate eyeglass lenses, if the frame breaks, it too can cause injury. With contacts, he or she can wear protective goggles. Your child will also have better peripheral (side) vision, for better awareness and performance.
Some contacts are a better value than others.
Unlike soft contacts, GP lenses are made of a firm plastic material that retains its shape. This means they're easy to clean without tearing or scratching, and they generally last longer than soft contacts or glasses.
 |
| What Parents Need to Know About Contact Lenses |
Some contacts are healthier than others.
GP contacts let oxygen pass through to the eye much better than many soft contacts do. Corneal tissue needs oxygen to remain healthy. It also needs moisture; since GP contacts don't absorb water from the eyes (unlike soft lenses), they don't dry them out. Your child's eyes will stay more comfortable all day long.
Many children, and most teens, would rather wear contacts than glasses.
The self-esteem of children and teens is closely related to their appearance. If they don't like the way they look in glasses, it can affect their personality, their performance in school, even their future. Once they start wearing contacts, many shy kids come out of their shell and begin participating more in life.
Most eye care professionals report great results with kids and contact lenses.
They find that kids of all ages usually take contact lens wear seriously and are more likely than adults to follow cleaning instructions to the letter.
No eye doctor will prescribe contact lenses for children or teenagers who aren't ready for them or who don't have a good reason to wear them. And they don't hesitate to un-prescribe them if a child doesn't take good care of them.
Talk it over with your eye care practitioner. He or she is the best person to help you decide what's right for your children's vision correction.
===============================================
What Eye Care Practitioners Say
About GP Contact Lenses
Eye care professionals aren't easy to please, and the fact that many recommend GP contacts to their patients speaks highly of the benefits of these high-tech lenses. Read what they have to say:
Cathy Pannebaker, OD
"Considering the cost and the superior vision of GP lenses, it's actually the best choice for many patients, and I believe the majority of nearsighted and farsighted patients are good candidates for GP contact lenses."
"They are also a very cost-effective option, because the lenses can last one year, two years, maybe even three years."
"If a patient wants superior vision, if they want a cost-effective type of correction that is easy to handle and take care of, then they are a great candidate for GP lenses. Yes, I truly am a believer in GP lenses."
Tom Quinn, OD
"Ideal gas permeable contact lens candidates, for me, are people that care about their vision — which is virtually everybody!"
"The obvious candidates that most eye care professionals recognize are patients with astigmatism, presbyopic patients, and irregular cornea patients. However, the people that may not come to mind immediately are those who may have difficulty manipulating a soft lens, patients that have a small lid opening so they may have trouble getting a large lens in and out of their eye, and patients that want a cost-effective contact lens option."
"One of the most compelling groups that can benefit from GP lenses are patients that have a corneal irregularity from conditions such as keratoconus, corneal surgery, or trauma. These patients truly suffer with their visual condition, and GP lenses can increase their quality of life in a way that no other lens can."
Jeff Walline, OD
"At this stage of my career, I focus on fitting children with contact lenses, and I've found that kids do very well with GP contact lenses."
"We fit kids with GP contact lenses if they have trouble with dexterity, if they can't handle a soft lens because it folds on them quite frequently, or they just can't put it in their eye because it's too big. We might also fit a kid with GP lenses if they have low amounts of astigmatism that just can't be corrected with a spherical soft lens."
"The GP lenses are easy for them to handle, they're healthy for their eyes, plus they can see very clearly with them. And kids really take good care of them, even at young ages."
"Corneal reshaping contact lenses are great for young kids, because they don't have to wear vision correction throughout the day. They are also great for kids who participate in sporting activities, because they don't have to worry about losing their contact lenses while they're active."
"Most children only have to wear the corneal reshaping lenses every other night or every third night. So kids do really well with the treatment and don't have to wear the lenses as often."
What Eye Care Practitioners Say
About GP Contact Lenses
Eye care professionals aren't easy to please, and the fact that many recommend GP contacts to their patients speaks highly of the benefits of these high-tech lenses. Read what they have to say:
 |
| What Eye Care Practitioners Say About GP Contact Lenses |
Cathy Pannebaker, OD
"Considering the cost and the superior vision of GP lenses, it's actually the best choice for many patients, and I believe the majority of nearsighted and farsighted patients are good candidates for GP contact lenses."
"They are also a very cost-effective option, because the lenses can last one year, two years, maybe even three years."
"If a patient wants superior vision, if they want a cost-effective type of correction that is easy to handle and take care of, then they are a great candidate for GP lenses. Yes, I truly am a believer in GP lenses."
 |
| What Eye Care Practitioners Say About GP Contact Lenses |
Tom Quinn, OD
"Ideal gas permeable contact lens candidates, for me, are people that care about their vision — which is virtually everybody!"
"The obvious candidates that most eye care professionals recognize are patients with astigmatism, presbyopic patients, and irregular cornea patients. However, the people that may not come to mind immediately are those who may have difficulty manipulating a soft lens, patients that have a small lid opening so they may have trouble getting a large lens in and out of their eye, and patients that want a cost-effective contact lens option."
"One of the most compelling groups that can benefit from GP lenses are patients that have a corneal irregularity from conditions such as keratoconus, corneal surgery, or trauma. These patients truly suffer with their visual condition, and GP lenses can increase their quality of life in a way that no other lens can."
 |
| What Eye Care Practitioners Say About GP Contact Lenses |
Jeff Walline, OD
"At this stage of my career, I focus on fitting children with contact lenses, and I've found that kids do very well with GP contact lenses."
"We fit kids with GP contact lenses if they have trouble with dexterity, if they can't handle a soft lens because it folds on them quite frequently, or they just can't put it in their eye because it's too big. We might also fit a kid with GP lenses if they have low amounts of astigmatism that just can't be corrected with a spherical soft lens."
"The GP lenses are easy for them to handle, they're healthy for their eyes, plus they can see very clearly with them. And kids really take good care of them, even at young ages."
"Corneal reshaping contact lenses are great for young kids, because they don't have to wear vision correction throughout the day. They are also great for kids who participate in sporting activities, because they don't have to worry about losing their contact lenses while they're active."
"Most children only have to wear the corneal reshaping lenses every other night or every third night. So kids do really well with the treatment and don't have to wear the lenses as often."
