You may wear them all day without knowing their history. This product has revolutionized our lives and our view. We speak of course of contact lenses. The ability to carry an extra lens to correct vision is just extraordinary. You may think that contact lenses are a fairly recent invention? After reading their story, you may learn that this is not the case.
To learn more about the lenses, here's an article about their history and the different types that are available today.
The history of contact lens
As we have said, the contact lens is not a new invention. Indeed, the universal genius Leonardo da Vinci, had the brilliant idea already in 1508, trying to neutralize the refractive errors by placing a glass lens in the eye. But it was not the only experiment with this idea. In 1637, the philosopher Rene Descartes tried to correct vision problems by placing a tube filled with water in the cornea. These inventions, as you can imagine, were not very comfortable and were never marketed.
We had to wait until 1887 to see the arrival of lenses similar to those we wear today. However, they were still very uncomfortable. These lenses were completely covered in glass and the eye, which may explain the pain that patients who were undergoing. About 50 later, the first lenses Plexiglas came on the market. But they had one big drawback: it was impossible to wear these lenses for over an hour or two, because they prevented the flow of lacrimal fluid between the lens and the eye.
In the 50s, a lens floating on the tear fluid was invented. You could wear it for a whole day. Manufacturers Bausch & Lomb launched a soft contact lens in 1971, which was the starting point of the commercial success of the lenses. They were well above the level qualitée and comfort. Since the 70s, the contact lenses were developed, and today we can even find lenses that can be worn 24 hours 24, 30 days straight.
Different types of lenses
Today you have many options when you want to buy new lenses, which can be quite disconcerting. To help, here are more details on some of them.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
If you choose this type of contact lenses, you will not have much to consider. They work exactly as their name indicates. Simply open the pack, insert the lenses, wear them, then throw them at the end of the day. With this type of lenses, you will minimize the risk of eye infection, since you will not need to use cleaning solution, or to maintain them daily. They are cheap to replace if you lose them, and not binding. However, if you wear contact lenses every day, it is perhaps not the most economical solution.
Monthly lenses
Monthly contact lenses are the most common, which is probably due to their low price compared to others. However, if you choose this type of correction, you should consider maintaining a daily basis. At the end of the day, these lenses must be removed and stored in a pouch filled lens solution.
The colored contact lenses
The colored contact lenses are becoming more popular, which is probably due to the fact that even those who do not suffer from vision problems can wear them. You can completely change the color of your eyes or just enhance your basic color, you decide. These lenses may be daily or monthly.
Specialty contact lenses
Today you can find lenses that will correct virtually all types of vision problems. For example, if you have astigmatism, toric lenses choose. If you suffer from degradation due to aging, select progressive lenses.
To take into account
Whatever your choice of contact lenses, do not forget to have clean hands when introducing and removing the lenses. Otherwise, you risk an eye infection. If you choose monthly, you will also need to change holster from time to time. For indeed, microorganisms can begin to grow in this environment, which is obviously not good for your eyes.
Is there an alternative to contact lenses?
If the lenses you think hard, there are several alternatives. Apart from the glasses, you can also solve your problem with LASIK. It is a procedure that surgeons do every day and gives very good results. Contact your eye doctor if you are considering an operation, but know it will take a month or two months of recovery.
