Have you given up on wearing contact lenses because you can’t stand the discomfort or are dissatisfied with how well you see? Thanks to recent advances in daily disposable contact lenses, now may be a good time to give contact lenses another look. In fact, research reveals that disposable lenses are easier on the eyesthan reusable contacts. According to a recent study published in the journal Optometry and Vision Science, people who wore reusable contact lenses had more signs of mild inflammation than daily disposable users.
This comes as no surprise to Key-Whitman Eye Center’s Dallas optometrist Amanda Hoelscher, who is prescribing more daily wear lenses than ever before.
62 Percent Of Contact Lens Patients Wear Daily Disposables
“In the past, soft lenses didn’t come in the extent of parameters that they do today. There was a time when we couldn’t prescribe soft or daily disposable lenses for patients who had a lot of astigmatism or high prescriptions. We don’t see that anymore. In fact, 62 percent of my contact lens patients now use daily disposables,” Dr. Hoelscher says.
People who suffer from dry eye symptoms or who don’t want to wear reading glasses can also benefit from today’s daily wear lenses.
As Dr. Hoelscher explains, “Because you dispose of daily wear lenses after one use, more patients are able to wear contacts who previously couldn’t due to dryness. Multi-focal daily disposable contacts have also become popular with my patients in their forties who are losing up close vision and don’t want to wear readers. We’ve been able to fit those patients into daily disposable lenses very successfully.”
Dr. Hoelscher discusses how patients can reduce dependence on reading glasses by wearing multi-focal lenses.
Daily Disposable Contacts Reduce Risk Of Eye Irritation And Infection
When it comes to wearing contact lenses, compliance with proper wear and care of lenses is key for reducing the risk for eye health issues. Unfortunately, eye doctors see complications from contact lenses on a regular basis.
“Non-compliance with good contact lens wearing habits is a problem that all Key-Whitman doctors face every week in practice. We regularly see corneal ulcers, eye infections and irritation, as well as papillary conjunctivitis, where patients develop an allergy to the contact lenses and can’t tolerate them anymore. Most of these problems result from over wear and improper care of contact lenses,” Dr. Hoelscher says.
For these reasons, Dr. Hoelscher strongly recommends daily disposables for first-time contact lens wearers – especially school age children – and people who want to avoid the hassles of reusable contacts.
By switching to daily disposables, most eye health issues can be avoided. According to Dr. Hoelscher, “Daily disposable lenses are truly the healthiest option for your eyes, because every day you’re putting in a clean lens with fresh solution. What that means for the patient is improved clarity of vision and improved comfort.”
Dr. Hoelscher explains why daily disposables typically work better for people who don’t comply with proper contact lens wear and care.
Contacts Not An Option For You? LASIK Is Safer And Patients Love It
“There will always be patients who just won’t be compliant with contact lenses at all. Plus numerous studies have supported that LASIK is actually safer for patients, especially in those situations,” Dr. Hoelscher says.
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributed nearly 1 million doctor visits and 58,000 emergency room visits annually to eye infections, such as keratitis. “Wearing contact lenses is the largest single risk factor for developing the infection [keratitis],” says the CDC.
On the other hand, patient satisfaction with LASIK has skyrocketed in recent years. In fact, two recent FDA studies (PROWL-1 and PROWL-2) revealed that more than 96 percent of patients were satisfied with their results three months after surgery.
Learn why one 25-year-old Air Force veteran prefers life after LASIK in this past story.
Visit An Eye Doctor Who Can Help You Weigh All Of Your Eye Care Options
Dr. Hoelscher, who served as a co-investigator for the FDA during the LASIK trials, regularly counsels patients on refractive surgery options at Key-Whitman. She also specializes in preoperative and postoperative LASIK surgery care and prescribing contact lenses for patients.
According to Dr. Hoelscher, “At Key-Whitman, we offer just about every vision correction solution available – from glasses to contacts to eye surgery. When you come to see us, we can help you choose the solution that fits your needs best.”
To schedule an eye exam with Dr. Hoelscher in our North Dallas office or with an eye doctor at our Dallas, Arlington, South Arlington, Mesquite or Plano locations, contact our office at (214) 225-2577or set up an appointment online.
ABOUT DR. HOELSCHER:
Amanda Hoelscher, O.D., performs comprehensive dilated eye examinations for diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease and is extensively trained in preoperative and postoperative management of cataract and refractive surgery. A graduate of the University of Houston College of Optometry, she also served as a co-investigator for the FDA in LASIK. Dr. Hoelscher sees patients at Key-Whitman’s North Dallas office, a practice dedicated to multi-generational family eye care. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her two children.
Photo Source: Adobe Stock
