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Contact Lenses - A Perfect Choice for Work and Play By Dr. Jacob Letourneau, Ridgeview Eye Care Contact lenses provide a safe, healthy and comfortable alternative to glasses and today's contact lens wearers are enjoying better vision and more options than ever before. People of all ages can enjoy the benefits that contact lens wear can provide. Whether someone is nearsighted, farsighted, or has astigmatism, there are contact lens options available. One of the greatest advantages of contact lens wear is providing people the freedom to enjoy great vision without the hassle of spectacle wear, particularly with sporting and outdoor activities.
Silicone-hydrogel lenses, the latest development in soft contact lens materials, are healthier than conventional soft lenses because they allow up to 6 times more oxygen to pass through them resulting in more comfortable wear and better overall eye health. Advantages of silicone-hydrogel lenses over conventional soft lenses include more resistance to protein deposits, less drying of the lenses, lower risk of eye infection, easier handling due to increased rigidity of material, and much lower incidence of complications with extended wear use (overnight wear). The convenience of 30 days of continuous wear (PureVision from Bausch and Lomb, Focus Night & Day from Ciba and Biofinity from Cooper Vision), as well as the lowered incidence of eye health complications are quickly making silicone-hydrogels the most popular lens of choice for both eye care practitioners and patients. For those patients who only choose to wear their contact lenses on an occasional or less frequent basis, daily contact lenses provide a great option. Daily contact lenses allow patients to put in a fresh new pair on the days they choose to wear them and then simply throw them away at the end of the day, eliminating the need for cleaning and storing. Additionally, daily wear contact lenses have been found to be particularly useful for those who experience either chronic or seasonal allergies. Ease of care, safety and comfort are some of the primary reasons daily contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular for contact lens wearers. Have you been told you have astigmatism and that maybe contact lenses are not an option for you? Well, not anymore! There have been great advancements in contact lenses that correct for astigmatism. The lenses, called toric contact lenses, are weighted to keep the lenses from rotating, providing comfortable, clear vision. Toric contact lenses are available in both silicone-hydrogel and daily wear material insuring healthy eyes as well as excellent vision. Contact lenses are not only for young patients either, new contact lens technology allows those patients over the age of 40 to enjoy the vision and comfort that contact lenses provide. Multi-focal contacts lenses provide the convenience to see far away and up close without having to use reading glasses. Like toric contact lenses, multifocal contact lenses are also available in silicone-hydrogel and daily wear material.
The recent advancements in contact lens design have allowed virtually all people to enjoy comfortable, clear vision while being spectacle free during work and play! Dr. Letourneau is licensed to practice optometry in the state of Kansas and is a member of the Kansas Optometric Association and American Optometric Association as well as a member of the Sports Vision Section of the AOA. Dr. Letourneau is a participant in the See To Learn and Infantsee programs. During his free time, Dr. Letourneau enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and attending local sporting events.
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