Posted by: Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Latest News
It’s a pretty fair bet that either you or someone you know wears glasses or contact lenses. According to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of all adults use some sort of vision correction, with roughly 64% of them wearing eyeglasses and about 11% wearing contact lenses, either exclusively or with glasses. The dedicated team of eye care professionals at Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons have provided glasses and contact lenses for thousands of men and women over the years, but despite their popularity many people still have questions about these remarkable vision correction devices. Here are answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked about eye glasses and contact lenses.
People do not suffer from blurry vision because their eyes are “weak,” in fact the tiny muscles that control eye focus are many times stronger than they need to be in order to do their job. Refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are the result of imperfections in the shape of the eye itself. Glasses or contact lenses only bend the light entering the eye so that it focuses more clearly on the retina, and do not actually change the structure of the eye in any way. However, as the eye ages, the lenses can gradually become less flexible and the muscles surrounding them can grow weaker and less responsive, a condition known as presbyopia. Although this is a natural result of aging and has nothing to do with your prescription eyewear, it can make it seem as though your vision is getting worse and may mean that you will have to slowly upgrade your prescription.
Is it safe to leave your contact lenses in while you are asleep?
The transparent cornea that forms the front of the eye requires constant lubrication, in the form of tears, and exposure to oxygen in order to stay moist and healthy. While contact lenses do shift about a millimeter every time you blink, allowing moisture and oxygen to reach the cornea, they cannot move while your eyes are closed. Although some manufacturers may claim that their lenses are safe to leave in overnight, we recommend caution. Wearing contact lenses in while you are sleeping can dry the eyes out, increasing the risk of serious eye infections and potentially causing long-term damage to the surface of the eyes themselves in the form of corneal ulcers.
If I already know my lens prescription, why do I need to come in for an eye exam?
Eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions frequently change over time, and because these changes usually happen gradually it is very possible that you are having difficulty seeing and don’t even realize it. The increased strain of trying to focus with an incorrect prescription can even cause headaches and blurred vision, a condition commonly known as eye fatigue or computer vision syndrome. More importantly, a diagnostic eye exam can potentially identify early symptoms of serious eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinopathy, or macular degeneration. Catching and treating these problems before they can start to have an adverse effect of your vision is often the best way to avoid permanent vision loss.
We know that glasses are important, but we also understand that they can be expensive. That is why, for a limited time, the on-site optical center at Georgia Eye is offering a special on progressive lenses. When you purchase two pairs of eyeglasses with progressive lenses you can receive a $50 rebate on your first pair and 50% off your second. Some restrictions do apply, so please contact Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons for additional information or to schedule an appointment. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more information on how to keep your vision clear and healthy.
