Choosing Contact Lenses over Glasses Just Seems Natural - By: StevenM

While contact lenses are not a new invention, these optical devices have experienced a marked increase in popularity in recent years. Much of this increased interest and prevalence has to do with the fact that advancements in the eye care industry have resulted in contacts which are easier and more comfortable to wear than they were in the past. Now that the downsides of wearing contacts have been virtually eliminated by advancements in the industry, the benefits of choosing contact lenses over eyeglasses are numerous, and more and more people are beginning to recognize these benefits. In fact, over 35 million people in the United States alone have now traded their glasses for contact lenses.

Contact lenses are medical devices which consist of a thin lens worn over the cornea of the eye, typically to correct vision defects such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. However, contacts can also be cosmetic or therapeutic, designed either to change the color or appearance of the eyes or to treat optical medical problems. Whether these lenses are corrective, cosmetic or therapeutic, they are still medical devices which require a prescription from a licensed eye care professional. Proper fitting of these lenses is essential to ensuring good results as well as the safety and comfort of the wearer.

As mentioned previously, contacts are not a recent invention. The earliest record of a design for a corneal device dates back to the early sixteenth century when Leonardo da Vinci depicted such ideas in sketches and written descriptions. Although da Vinci did not suggest that his ideas were meant to provide vision correction, he did introduce the basic principles behind future contact lenses. While it took centuries for the first contacts to actually be manufactured and worn, the first of such lenses were put into use in the late nineteenth century. These early contact lenses were made from heavy glass and could only be worn for short periods of time. However, by the mid-twentieth century, fully plastic contacts had made their debut in the optical industry. Over the years, these early designs have evolved into today's modern soft contact lenses, which are the most prevalent type of contacts worn by people around the world.

Considering the many benefits that modern contacts have to offer, it's really not surprising that they are becoming increasingly popular among people who require vision correction. To begin with, many people who try wearing contacts find that they are far more comfortable than eyeglasses. With contact lenses, there are no cumbersome frames. Thus, there's nothing to pinch or slip down your nose or to press uncomfortably against your ears. While contact lenses may cause a small amount of discomfort when worn for the first few times, this can typically be overcome quite quickly and, ultimately, contacts prove to be far more comfortable than spectacles for the vast majority of people requiring vision correction.

In addition to offering greater comfort, contacts also provide higher quality vision than eyeglasses do. Since contact lenses are worn directly over the cornea, they provide more natural vision, without any of the distortions that may be experienced while wearing glasses. Contacts also provide a superior field of vision. While with eyeglasses, the field of vision does not extend all the way up, down or all the way to the sides, contacts provide clear vision in every direction. Moreover, contact lenses offer vision that is far more stable than that provided by spectacles. Since contacts remain unaffected by quick movements, they allow you to enjoy stable vision even during physical activities such as dancing, running or any number of different sports.

Another benefit of contacts in comparison to glasses has to do with the fact that these contacts are not affected by weather or body heat and they don't interfere with various forms of headgear. While eyeglasses can become splattered by rain or snow, contacts won't. Contact lenses also won't fog up as a result of body heat or exposure to a change in temperature. This means that contacts can easily be worn outdoors and while exercising. Furthermore, it's often difficult or even impossible to wear glasses with different types of safety equipment, whether that equipment is for occupational or recreational use. With contacts, safety gear can be worn properly and comfortably without sacrificing vision quality.

Of course, one of the major reasons that many people prefer contacts to eyeglasses is related to appearance. Whether children don't want to be teased at school or adults just want to look more natural, many people who require vision correction want to be able to see clearly without having their face encumbered by glasses. When you combine a natural appearance with increased comfort and superior vision, it's obvious that the benefits provided by contacts are numerous and significant. So when you think about it, choosing contact lenses over glasses just seems natural.

About the Author

Steven Myros is a freelance writer and contact lens user. He decided to put away their old glasses away in favor of contact lenses. With all of the different types of lenses available it’s natural that they are being chosen over glasses

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/StevenM/30963

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