My rendezvous with glasses started sometime when I was 10 and all I could see from the back benches were streaks of white on the black board. Well, me being no Ash, look horrible wearing spectacles. But, resigned to fate I decided to wear them anyhow. But, then all of a sudden, nearly three years ago, I got enthusiastic about a whole new world called contact lenses, and ‘wow’, they were a God-sent-gift for me. Without, delaying any longer, I quickly shifted to lenses.
Let me just say - they were the best. I, being the worst at handling things used to break glasses which costs in thousands within just 8 or 9 months after buying them. To top it all, irrespective of whether I grew or not, my power( I mean the vision problem), grew by nearly 2 points every 12 months. Though lenses may be difficult to handle, they are much easier than glasses and no matter how good the lenses are, you dispose them off after the prescribed time period - the longest time being one year. Also, people started thanking me for the sudden change, ‘cos they did not have to bear the sight of me and my terrible glasses and in fact there was someone who also noticed my eyes all of a sudden and said ‘hey, you have great eyes’(Not that I believed that totally, but yes, I was flattered). If you have tried brushing your hair or dressing up wearing glasses - you would understand my trouble. While brushing your hair, the stem of the glasses hinders the comb, and once glasses are removed, all I can see if a vaguely coloured shape in the mirror. Imagine wearing a helmet and glasses together -by far the horriblest thing. The whole process of getting the bike started and moving takes a much shorter time than adjusting your helmet and glasses to get a clear vision and comfort( both of which are always mutually exclusive). Has anyone picked a fight( I mean really physical) wearing specs, I don’t have to elaborate on that difficulty.
Clinically, contact lenses curb the increase in power. Though a notable change may not be visible immediately, but in course of time the power ceases to rise. In addition, lenses help cure astigmatism. Also, the scope of vision increases, since, contact lenses cover the entire eyeball, whereas glasses give a clean eyesight only for straight view.
Well, let’s just say that all my joy was shortlived, because I had developed an infection and was back to my nerdy glasses for nearly a month. Believe me - I was the brunt of all criticism owing to my geeky spectacles. Fresh out of an infection, let me share with all those lens users, all the basic rules for a lens wear. So, to avoid any problems with your lenses, learn from my mistakes and please follow this. Not that you don’t know these laws, but anyway. Always, clean your hands with soap before wearing or removing lenses. Clean your lenses everyday, before and after wearing them. Wash the lens case atleast every alternate day. Even, if you are using a lens solution which does not require deprotinizing, please use deenzyming tablets. It ensures perfectly clean lenses. Try your best to reduce the time of lens wear. Do not use disposable lenses for a long time even if they are in a very good condition. No sleeping or swimming wearing lenses.
These are just basic rules and shoudn’t scare anyone off lenses. Also preferably take up disposable lenses since they are much more hygienic. Nowadays, we have quarterly, monthly, and even weekly disposable lenses. Also colored lenses are available( but only in disposable formats). They are mainly for cosmetic use where in people wear contacts just once in a while. A wide range of brands of contact lenses are available and anyone can try them but only under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.
Also, remember, your practitioner or lens provider is not a doctor. So, always visit an ophthamologist once every six months and ensure a clear vision. For people, who do not suffer from any vision problems, please take care of your eyes. Though we have a number of products to help us to a healthy living, there is nothing like a perfect sight without glasses or lenses. Eyes are the best features anyone has, so, take good care of it.