If you're struggling with vision problems, you might wonder what options are available to help you see more clearly. Contact lenses are a solution that many people find helpful. An estimated 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and not surprisingly, they provide a natural-looking way to correct your vision, and help improve various specific eye issues.
Below, Nicanor Lacsina, O.D., and Yelena Pinkhasova, O.D., explore three vision problems that can often improve when you wear contact lenses:
Myopia is a common vision problem that makes it difficult to see objects in the distance. If you have myopia, you might find items far away appear blurry or out of focus.
Contact lenses can help improve your vision by refocusing light and allowing you to see more clearly, which can be especially helpful for driving, watching movies or sports, or enjoying the scenery. Contact lenses, unlike eyeglasses, improve your whole field of vision.
Astigmatism, a condition in which your eye has an irregular shape, also causes blurry or distorted vision. Unlike myopia, it causes vision problems at any distance, and you may experience headaches, eye strain, or difficulty seeing in low light.
Contact lenses can help by providing a consistent surface for light to pass through, which helps correct the distortion and improve your overall visual acuity. You may also experience reduced headaches and eye strain because you can focus clearly.
Presbyopia is a vision condition that affects people as they age, usually around 40. The lens in your eye becomes less flexible (an effect of aging), which makes it difficult to focus on objects up close.
If you have presbyopia, you may need to hold a book or menu farther away to read them clearly. Many people wear readers to correct this, but contacts also help improve your vision. Contact lenses can help by providing a closer focal point for your eyes, allowing you to read and perform close-up tasks.
When choosing the type of contact lenses that are right for you, there are several options to consider. Normal contact lenses are a popular choice for correcting vision during the day and consist of various materials, including soft silicone hydrogel and rigid gas-permeable lenses.
However, if you're looking for a different approach to correcting your vision, specialty contact lenses like orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses may be worth considering. Designed to be worn only at night, these lenses work by reshaping your cornea while you sleep, resulting in improved vision during the day.
You don’t have to make these decisions alone. Schedule a contact lens fitting at Bainbridge Eye Care in the Norwood neighborhood of Bronx, New York City, where you receive personalized attention from our experienced team. We take time to understand your lifestyle and vision goals, and recommend the best type of contact lenses for you.
With over 20 years of experience, we offer a variety of contact lens options, including daily disposables, extended wear, and specialty lenses. If you want a pair of eyeglasses 一 many people who wear contacts have a pair of backup glasses 一 we can make you a pair in our on-site lab.
During the fitting process, we take precise measurements of your eyes to ensure a perfect fit, and also provide instructions on properly inserting, removing, and caring for your contact lenses. If you're new to wearing contact lenses, our patient and compassionate team demonstrates these techniques until you feel comfortable doing them yourself.
Ready to experience the freedom of contact lenses? You can start by calling 718-306-9127 or requesting a contact lens appointment online.
