I'm interested in wearing contact lenses. How long does it take to get used to them?

Depending on your eye sensitivity and whether you choose soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, it may take only a day or it could take two weeks or more for your eyes to adjust to the lenses. Some people's eyes never adjust, but that's rare.

Are contact lenses difficult to care for?

There are certain steps you need to take to ensure that your eyes stay healthy and your contacts last as long as possible. For the exact care of your contacts, please refer to these articles:

Soft Contact Lens Care

Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Care

The exceptions are daily disposable contact lenses and some extended wear contacts that are discarded every time they're removed. With these, you throw them out when you're done wearing them, so there's no care regimen at all.

Can a contact lens get lost behind my eye?

No. At worst, you might have trouble finding it under your upper eyelid if you rub your eye and dislodge the lens from its proper position. If necessary, your eye care practitioner can help you locate and remove the lens.

How old must children be before they can wear contact lenses?

That depends on how responsible the child is. This decision is best made jointly between you, your child and our eye care practitioner. 

What kinds of contacts are available?

Contact lenses come in various material types, replacement schedules and wear schedules. Many wearers find disposable contact lenses and extended wear contacts are the most convenient.

Replacement schedules. Your eye doctor will prescribe your replacement schedule. It depends on the contact lens material and design, as well as your lifestyle and the condition of your eyes.

Conventional soft contacts can last up to a year; conventional rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses can last even longer.

Frequent or planned replacement contact lenses last one to several months.

Disposable contacts last from one day (daily wear) to up to two weeks (extended wear).

Wear schedules. Daily wear contact lenses must be removed before sleep. Extended wear contacts can be worn continuously (day and night) for up to a certain number of days, usually seven to 30 days.

Special contact lenses. Special contact lenses include colored contacts, orthokeratology contact lenses that correct your vision while you sleep, theatrical contact lenses, contact lenses for astigmatism and UV-blocking contacts.

Are disposable contact lenses worth the extra money?

Many doctors highly recommend disposable contact lenses. They are an excellent choice health-wise, because there is less opportunity for protein and bacteria to build up on them. Also, if you wear daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded at the end of the day, you won't need to buy contact lens solutions to clean and disinfect them after each use.

Is there really a big difference between daily wear and extended wear contact lenses?

Yes. Extended wear contacts are made of special materials that allow more oxygen to reach your eye, which makes them safer for wear during sleep.

The FDA determines the maximum amount of time that extended wear lenses can be worn before removal. Some brands are approved for up to seven days of continuous wear; others can be worn for up to 30 days.

Extended wear contacts let you start your day with clear vision.

Where is the best place to buy contact lenses?

After your eye doctor prescribes your contact lenses, you can order lenses from our V Focus Vision Sdn. Bhd. available Retail Store or over the

www.vfocusvisiononline.com.my. The best place to buy contact lenses depends on many factors, including availability, cost and service.

How can I save money?

Please Visit www.vfocusvisiononline.com.my for our variety of contact lenses product.

Special-effect contact lenses. Also called theatrical contact lenses, costume contacts and gothic contact lenses, these are popular for Halloween and costume parties.

Custom color contacts. These are hand-painted and individually produced. An example of custom color contacts are prosthetic contact lenses that are designed to mask a scarred or otherwise deformed eye.

Remember, color contact lenses — even if they have no corrective power and are being purchased solely to change your eye color.Prior to being issued a contact lens prescription, you must undergo a contact lens fitting so your eye care professional can make sure the lenses fit you properly and that your eyes can safely tolerate contact lens wear.

Are Contacts Bad for Your Eyes?

The answer to the question, "Are contacts bad for your eyes?" is, "Mostly it depends on you."

Contact lenses have been popular for decades, and the risk of contact lens-related eye damage is very low if you follow your eye doctor's advice and recommendations.

Still, all contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea of the eye and thereby increase the risk of eye problems to some degree.

Potentially serious contact lens complications include corneal abrasions, eye infection (including Acanthamoeba keratitis and fungal eye infections), dry eyes and corneal ulcers. Some of these complications can cause permanent vision loss.

How to Prevent Contacts from Being Bad for Your Eyes

Your best defense against eye damage from contact lens wear is to follow the advice of our Eye Care Practitioner about how long to wear your contacts and how frequently you should replace them.

Our Eye Care Practitioner will also tell you how long you can wear your lenses safely and whether your eyes can tolerate using extended wear contacts on a continuous basis or if you should wear contact lenses only for limited periods during the day.Also, be sure to care for your lenses as directed, and use only the contact lens solutions by Our Eye Care Practitioner recommends.

If there is a chance you might not keep up the daily lens care, ask about daily disposable contacts. You can simply discard these lenses after each use, eliminating the need for daily lens cleaning and disinfection. One-day disposable contacts also save you money on contact lens solutions.

To avoid serious contact lens-related eye problems, ask yourself this three-part question at the start of each day of contact lens wear: Do my eyes look good, see good and feel good?

If your eyes are red or bloodshot, you may be developing dry eyes or an eye infection from your contacts.

If your vision is not as clear as it once was, your lenses may be dirty, or your eyes may be swollen from lack of oxygen.

And if your eyes are uncomfortable, you may have a corneal abrasion, the beginnings of a corneal ulcer, dry eyes or an eye infection.

If your daily self-assessment suggests you have a contact lens-related eye problem, remove your lenses immediately and call Our Eye Care Practitioner for an urgent appointment. If you do have an eye problem caused by your contacts, the sooner it is evaluated and treated by an eye care professional, the better.

Even if you have no symptoms of eye problems from your contacts, be sure to see Our Eye Care Practitioner for routine annual eye exams. He or she can detect potential eye problems before you notice them and help you continue wearing contact lenses safely and comfortably for years to come. What truly is bad for your eyes is to neglect them.

Are Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions the Same?

Contact lens prescriptions and eyeglass prescriptions are not the same. They are significantly different because eyeglass lenses are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes, whereas contact lenses rest directly on the surface of your eyes. If you want to wear both contact lenses and eyeglasses, you will need two separate prescriptions.

 

What's the Difference Between a Contact Lens and Glasses Prescription?

Like an eyeglass prescription, a contact lens prescription includes the lens power required to correct your refractive error — whether myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and/or astigmatism.

But, depending on the degree of your refractive error and the type of contacts prescribed, the powers specified on your contact lens prescription may be significantly different than those on your glasses prescription to give you the best vision possible.

Also, a contact lens prescription contains additional specifications that are not included on a glasses prescription, and these can be determined only after a comprehensive contact lens exam and fitting. They include:

Base curve. This measurement (abbreviated BC) is the curvature of the back surface of the contact lens. The proper base curve is determined by the shape of your cornea and produces a fitting that is not too loose or too tight.

Diameter. The lens diameter (DIA) specifies the overall size of the lens and, along with the base curve, determines how the lens fits. In most cases, the diameter of soft contact lenses ranges from 13.5 to 14.5 mm, and the diameter of rigid gas permeable (GP) contacts ranges from 8.5 to 9.5 mm.

Lens brand or material. The lens brand and material also must be specified on a contact lens prescription, because each lens material has a specific degree of oxygen permeability ("breathability"). This is especially important if you want extended wear contact lenses or you occasionally fall asleep while wearing your contacts.

Expiration date. Generally, a contact lens Rx is valid for one year. You will need to revisit our eye care practitioner when your prescription expires, for a checkup of the health of your eyes before you can purchase additional lenses. Eyeglass prescriptions most expire after two years.

You can request a copy of your glasses prescription at the conclusion of your comprehensive eye exam. But a contact lens prescription cannot be written by our eye care practitioner and given to you until he or she performs a contact lens fitting or has access to your previous prescription and has evaluated the fit of your current lenses.

Can Anyone Get a Contact Lens Prescription?

No, not everyone who needs eyeglasses can wear contact lenses successfully. Conditions such as dry eyes or blepharitis can make contact lens wear uncomfortable or unsafe. Even with no pre-existing eye conditions, some people have sensitive corneas and simply cannot adapt to contact lenses.

A Note About Colored Contact Lens Prescriptions

A contact lens fitting and a prescription written by a licensed eye care professional are required even if you have no need for vision correction and want only "non-prescription" (plano) colored contact lenses or special - effect contact lenses to change the appearance of your eyes.

Are Contacts Expensive?

Contact lenses are a significant investment, but the rewards of contact lens wear also are significant. When asking "Are contacts expensive?" what many people really mean is, "Are contacts worth the cost?" Kindly visit www.vfocusonline.com.my for product pricing and decide for yourself.

Cost of Contact Lenses Compared With Eyeglasses

Some experts suggest the average cost of prescription eyeglasses is less than contact.

Also, many people who wear eyeglasses do not purchase new glasses every year.

But the cost of eyeglasses can increase significantly if you choose premium features, such as high index lenses, progressive lenses, anti-reflective coating and designer frames. A pair of prescription eyeglasses with all these features can easily exceed RM800.

What Does Expensive Mean?

Ultimately, the decision on whether contacts are expensive depends on the value you attach to them compared with the value of other elective expenses.For example, how does the value you get from wearing contacts compare with the value you would get from a designer suit? Or an occasional dinner at an upscale restaurant?It's up to you.

Are Contacts Hard to Put In?

In most cases, properly fitted contacts are not hard to put in. In fact, they are easy to apply to and remove from the eye. It just takes a little practice and patience.

Kindly Refer Contact Lenses Insertion and Removal explanation & video.

Can Contacts Cause Headaches?

Clean, properly fitted contact lenses should be very comfortable and should not cause headaches.If you are fitted with contact lenses and you start having headaches shortly thereafter, see our eye care practitioner immediately to find out if your discomfort is eye-related.

Your eye doctor will be able to tell if your contact lenses are playing a role in your headaches. Possible contact lens-related causes of headaches include:

Wrong prescription. It doesn't happen often, but if an error was made in your contact lens prescription and you are wearing lenses that are too strong, too weak or otherwise incorrect, this could cause eye strain and headaches. If this is the cause, replacing the lenses with contacts of the correct power should eliminate your headaches.

Poorly fitting lenses. It's possible your contact lenses may start to dry out after you have been wearing them for several hours. This can cause them to tighten up, causing eye discomfort and possibly headaches.

Discuss the onset of your headaches with your eye doctor. Does the pain start early in the day or after you've been wearing your contact lenses for several hours?

Dry eyes. If you have dry eyes, sometimes this can cause eye discomfort and possibly headaches. Dry eyes can make you more sensitive to light, causing you to squint, and constant squinting can cause a muscle tension headache. Headaches from dry eye discomfort and squinting usually occur later in the day.

Computer vision syndrome. If you work at a computer several hours a day, you are at risk of developing computer vision syndrome (CVS). Common symptoms of CVS are headaches and eye strain.

Though contact lens wear doesn't necessarily increase your risk of computer vision syndrome, your contacts may dry out during computer work, adding to your discomfort. When discussing your headaches with your eye doctor, be sure to mention how often and how long you work at a computer, and whether your headaches occur more frequently during and after computer work.

Sinus congestion or infection. Things that cause sinus congestion — such as allergies or infection — also can cause headaches. And because your sinuses are located around and behind your eyes, headaches and sinus pain are often incorrectly thought to originate in the eyes.

It's a good idea to see your eye doctor immediately if you start having headaches — especially if your headaches occur shortly after being fitted with contact lenses or changing contact lens brands.

Even if your eye doctor determines your headaches are not caused by your contacts or your eyes, a thorough eye exam is a good way to rule out one potential cause of your head pain.Also, your eye doctor will be able to refer you to the proper specialist if he or she feels you need additional care.

​​Can Contact Lenses Damage Your Eyes?

Contact lenses are very safe. Still, wearing contact lenses can damage your eyes if you wear them too long, fail to clean them properly or do not replace them as directed by our eye care practitoner.

Contact lenses are considered medical devices and are regulated by the Malaysia Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For safety reasons, they cannot be purchased without a professional fitting and a contact lens prescription written by a licensed eye care practitioner.

Keep the Oxygen Flowing to Your Eyes

Because contact lenses rest directly on the eye and cover the entire cornea (or, in the case of gas permeable contact lenses, part of the cornea), they decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes from the environment. A good oxygen supply is essential to keeping your eyes healthy.

You can limit the potentially harmful effects of oxygen deprivation from contact lens wear by doing the following:

• Adhere to the wearing schedule your eye doctor recommends; discard and replace your contacts as directed.
• You also may want to choose modern silicone hydrogel lenses. These soft lenses are made of a material that transmits more oxygen than conventional soft contact lens materials and may be safer for your eyes in the long run.
• Another option is rigid gas permeable (GP) contact lenses. Gas permeable contacts are smaller in diameter than soft or silicone hydrogel lenses and therefore cover less of the cornea. Also, GP contacts move a significant amount with each blink, allowing fresh tears to move under the lenses. These two factors decrease the risk of eye problems with gas permeable lenses, compared with wearing soft contacts.

Clean Your Contact Lenses and Case

Contact lenses also increase the risk of eye damage because bacteria and other infection-causing agents can accumulate on them. This is especially true as the lenses get older and deposits accumulate on the front and back surfaces of the lenses.

According to the Brien Holden Vision Institute, eye infections occur only in about 4 of every 10,000 daily contact lens wearers (0.04 percent) and 20 of every 10,000 people who wear extended wear contact lenses on an overnight basis (0.2 percent), but the effects can be devastating.*

You can significantly reduce the risk of contact lens-related eye infections by properly cleaning and disinfecting your contacts after each use. Use only the contact lens solutions your eye doctor recommends, and don't change brands without first consulting with your doctor.

Also, though most contact lens wearers use "no-rub" contact lens solutions, recent studies show these products clean your lenses significantly better if you rub your lenses while rinsing them with the solution. (These one-step products are also called "multipurpose solutions," because they contain ingredients that both clean and disinfect contact lenses.)

It's also very important to rinse your lens storage case with fresh contact lens solution and let it air dry while you are wearing your contacts. This reduces the risk of the case getting contaminated with microorganisms that can damage your eyes. You also should discard and replace your storage case at least every three months.

Also, use fresh multipurpose solution each time you store your lenses. Do not simply "top off" solution you've left in the case from the previous day. Doing so decreases the effectiveness of the solution, possibly leading to lens contamination and a serious eye infection.

Follow Your Contact Lens Replacement Schedule

Avoid over-wearing your contact lenses and be sure to discard and replace them as directed by your eye doctor.

Even if you care for your lenses as directed, lens deposits continue to build up on your contacts over time. The longer you go before replacing your lenses, the greater potential these lens deposits have to reduce the oxygen supply to your corneas and damage your eyes.

Finally, be sure to see your eye doctor as directed for routine contact lens eye exams. Your eye doctor can detect small problems before they become big ones, and help you keep your eyes safe and healthy while you wear contact lenses.

Can Contacts Be Stored in Water?

You should never, ever store your contacts in water. Despite being purified, tap water can still contain bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections.

And water does not disinfect your contact lenses. If you store your contacts in water, in a matter of minutes or hours, bacteria, fungi and other harmful pathogens can grow on your lenses and then get transferred to your eyes.

In fact, this is why eye care professionals recommend that you take your contact lenses out of your eyes when you go swimming, whether in a pool, a lake or the ocean. The many microorganisms that live in the water can easily stay on your lenses and cause you problems later.

At the very least, you should wear swim goggles to protect your lenses and eyes; or, if you wear daily disposable contacts, you could discard the pair you just swam in and replace them with a new pair. (Read more about the best strategies for swimming with contact lenses.

Storing Contacts in Water Is Dangerous — and Uncomfortable

This is serious business. Contact lens-related eye infections caused by failure to properly clean and disinfect your lenses with an approved contact lens solution can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss, even blindness.

Also, water — including bottled water and distilled water — is not salty like your tears, and it is not buffered to match the acidity of your tears.

Because of these differences, water can cause your contact lenses to change shape and stick to your eyes when you apply them, often causing significant discomfort and blurred vision.