Contact lenses have come a long way. Back in the day, there was only one type of contact lens – hard lenses. They weren’t the most popular as they were uncomfortable and had a high risk of causing infection. However, today, there’s a wide variety of contact lenses to choose from whether you need them for prescription or cosmetic purposes. For that reason, there are things you need to consider in order to choose the right ones. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right contact lenses for you.
Colour
This is one of the main reasons people wear contact lenses. They give you the chance to see how you’d look in different coloured eyes. Despite what some may think, coloured contacts don’t affect your vision in any way. They’re simply cosmetic. You can choose from a wide range of colours including blue, green, turquoise, hazel, violet among others. Additionally, some have an opaque tint while others have an enhancement tint. The opaque tint completely transforms the colour of your eyes while enhancement tint simply makes your eyes more vibrant. When choosing the colour of your contact lenses, you should consider your natural eye colour as well as your complexion to avoid looking like a mess.
Budget
Contact lenses go for anywhere between Ksh. 1500 to Ksh. 25,000 depending on the brand and how often you replace them. You also need a contact solution and should be replaced after every 2 months. It’s safe to say that regardless of the type of contacts you choose, it’s quite costly compared to glasses. Even for cosmetic lenses, you need to replace them regularly to avoid getting infections. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have the budget to keep up with these costs since any mistake could lead to serious problems.
Wear
Speaking of wear, there are three main types of wear. You can choose to wear daily disposable ones, monthly disposables, or yearly disposables. Daily disposables come in a pack of 30 lenses for every day. Once you’re done with them, you dispose of them and use a fresh pair. Many people prefer this as they are the least likely to cause infections. However, they’re not good for the environment. Monthly disposables are a good choice for those who can’t afford yearly disposables which can cost up to Ksh 25,000. They also reduce the risk of getting infections. Yearly disposables are the most expensive yet require the most care to keep pathogens from accumulating on the lens. Here is a guide to Taking Proper Care Of Your Contact Lenses
Vision
Most people make the mistake of getting contact lenses before going for an eye checkup. Whether you have an eye problem or not, it’s good to get a checkup since our eyes naturally deteriorate with age. Additionally, if you wear glasses, you shouldn’t get the same prescription as that of your glasses. Contact lens prescription is not the same as glasses prescription since glasses accommodate the distance between your face and the lens. Getting the same prescription will, therefore, affect your vision. It’s best to go for an eye exam to determine the correct strength for your contact lenses. Here are 10 Struggles People Who Wear Glasses Go Through
Lifestyle
Lastly, you should consider your hobbies and lifestyle. Activities such as swimming, biking, and running are not ideal if you wear contact lenses. Additionally, if you enjoy napping during the day, you may want to reconsider wearing contact lenses. You should never sleep with contacts on as it can cause dryness and lead to infections. Though you can take a 20-minute nap with them, it’s not advisable. Exposure to sand and sweat can also be hazardous when wearing contacts. You should consider every factor seriously to determine which contact lenses are the right choice for you.
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