Contact Lenses vs. Glasses: Which Is Right for Your Lifestyle?

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Your optometrist in Elkridge, MD can give you a prescription for eyeglasses, contact lenses or both. In the vast majority of cases, it’s up to you to decide which you want to wear most of the time. Of course, some people choose to get both contact lenses and glasses, while others prefer using glasses exclusively to correct their vision. If you’re new to corrective eyewear, you’ve got a decision to make!

What About Glasses?

By all accounts, glasses are easy to use and require less maintenance. They’re ideal for people who want a simple, no-fuss solution for vision correction. Glasses also reduce the risk of eye infections and can offer added protection from wind, dust, and debris. For those who spend long hours in front of screens, blue light filtering lenses can help ease eye strain. However, they may be less practical during physical activities or in wet weather. Glasses were the standard in corrective eyewear for many, many years, and they remain a popular choice, despite their drawbacks. Also, if you enjoy sports like snorkeling, skiing, swimming and more, you can get prescription lenses for your specialty goggles, so you really never have to wear contact lenses if you don’t want to.

What About Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses, on the other hand, offer a full field of vision with no frames blocking your view. They’re a great choice for athletes or anyone with an active lifestyle. Contacts won’t fog up in the cold or slip during exercise. They also allow more flexibility with fashion, since you can wear any type of sunglasses or go without visible eyewear. That said, most contact lenses require daily cleaning—with the exception of daily disposables—and technically can increase the risk of irritation or infection if not handled properly, although that is rare if you practice safe contact lens handling and cleaning.

At the end of the day, your decision might come down to personal preference—or a combination of both. Both glasses and contact lenses in Elkridge, MD are effective solutions—it’s just a matter of choosing what makes you feel most comfortable, confident, and supported in your day-to-day life.

Reasons to Consider Colored Contacts

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Eyewear doesn’t have to be boring. Those who opt for eyeglasses have all sorts of creative options in the kinds of frames they can get, the color of the lenses, and more. Just look at famous celebrities like Elton John and Bon. They don’t settle for the mundane and neither do you have to, even if you don’t want to wear glasses. Contact lenses in Elkridge, MD have a lot more diversity than you may realize, including the option to have colored contacts.

Enhance or Change Natural Eye Color

Nature gave you one color of eyes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change things up! With colored contacts, you can have blue, green or brown eyes and many shades in between. You can enhance your natural color or alter them altogether.

Correct Vision While Personalizing Your Look

You can get prescription contacts that satisfy your fashion needs, too. This means there’s no need to choose between fashion and function—colored lenses can provide both.

Special Occasions and Cosplay

Here’s another great idea, too. Many people use colored contacts to enhance their appearance for special events, such as weddings, photoshoots or theatrical performances. They’re also a popular choice for cosplay enthusiasts and costume wearers, helping to create striking and unique looks that match a specific character or theme.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Expression

Eye color can be an important part of a person’s identity, and colored contacts allow for self-expression in a new way. Some people feel more confident with a different eye color, whether it’s a subtle enhancement or a bold transformation. The ability to experiment with different shades gives wearers the freedom to find a look that makes them feel their best.

Safe and Comfortable When Prescribed by an Eye Doctor

When purchased through an eye doctor in Elridge, MD and fitted properly, colored contacts are safe to wear and as comfortable as regular lenses. It is important to avoid non-prescription or costume lenses from unverified sources, as these can cause eye infections or damage.

Colored contacts provide an exciting way to customize appearance while maintaining clear vision. Whether for daily wear, special occasions, or creative expression, they offer a safe and stylish way to enhance eye color. Contact us to learn more!

How Are Disposable Contact Lenses Different?

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You’ll have several choices when you visit your optometrist in Elkridge, MD, for contact lenses. One of the choices will be whether you want to get regular contact lenses or disposable contact lenses. Disposable contact lenses serve the same purpose as regular lenses, so the choice is largely up to you. As long as your vision needs are met, your optometrist likely won’t mind which you choose. However, you should understand the differences between disposable contact lenses and regular contact lenses so that you can make an informed decision.

Materials Used

Disposable contact lenses are primarily made from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. Silicone hydrogel is a newer material that has become increasingly popular due to its superior oxygen permeability compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. This feature is particularly important because it allows more oxygen to reach the cornea, reducing the risk of corneal hypoxia (a condition where the cornea is deprived of adequate oxygen). This is critical for eye health, especially for individuals who wear their lenses for extended periods. If you have problems with dry eyes or you need corrective eyewear all day and night, you may want to choose disposable contact lenses.

Design and Durability

The design of disposable lenses takes into account their short-term use. For instance, daily disposable lenses are designed with a thinner profile. This contributes to immediate comfort upon insertion and minimizes the lens’s impact on the eye’s natural physiology. The thin design, combined with the high water content of hydrogel materials, ensures that the lens feels almost natural in the eye.

Lifestyle Factors to Consider

You should consider your lifestyle when choosing between disposable and regular contact lenses. If you’re sporty and engage in lots of adventurous activities, you may find it challenging to care for long-term wear contact lenses. In this case, you may prefer the convenience of simply disposing of your old contacts and using a fresh pair every day or each week.

Another reason to choose disposable contact lenses is if you just aren’t interested in the care and maintenance of regular lenses It’s certainly easier to care for disposables than traditional contact lenses!

No matter which kind of contact lenses you choose in Elkridge, MD, you can rest assured you’ll get an accurate prescription and quality care from Dr. Jan Eye Care. Contact us today to book your appointment!

Getting Your First Pair of Contact Lenses? What to Expect

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Contact lenses are very different from prescription glasses in many ways. If you’ve always had prescription glasses and would like to know more about getting contact lenses, your eye doctor in Elkridge, MD, can help. At Dr. Jan Eye Care, we help our patients who want contact lenses get the right ones for their eyes. We can help you, too!

What Are the Benefits of Contact Lenses?

There are many benefits of wearing contact lenses. Below are some reasons our patients come to us seeking contacts.

  • Natural vision. Glasses can obstruct your vision, especially if you have thick frames. By contrast, contact lenses mimic your natural vision without getting in the way.
  • Won’t impact your appearance. Glasses are very visible and obvious, but contacts are not. No one will be able to tell you’re wearing contacts.
  • Won’t fog up when walking outside. Under certain conditions, glasses can fog up when you go outside. Contact lenses do not.

How Can You Get Contact Lenses?

If you want contact lenses, the first thing to do is see your eye doctor for a contact lens exam. During the contact lens exam, your eye doctor will check the curvature of your eyes. The eye doctor will also check the measurement of your iris and pupil.

Finally, the eye doctor will check to ensure your eyes have sufficient tears. How many tears your eyes produce will affect what kind of contacts your eye doctor prescribes and whether contacts are a good option for you.

Once your eye doctor has ordered your contact lenses, you’ll come back for a contact lens fitting.

How Are Contact Lenses Maintained?

Once your contact lenses are removed, clean and disinfect them before returning them to your eyes. Follow the cleaning and disinfecting procedure provided by your eye doctor.

Remove your contact lenses on the schedule recommended by your eye doctor. See the eye doctor regularly. If you get in the water, including the shower, a pool, a hot tub, or the bath, take your contact lenses out. Follow all instructions provided by your eye doctor to maintain your contact lenses.

Want Contact Lenses? Make An Appointment Today

If you want contact lenses in Elkridge, MD, contact Dr. Jan Eye Care. Call today to make an appointment.

Why Are My New Contact Lenses Uncomfortable?

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Contact lenses can be an exciting purchase for many people, especially if you’ve grown tired of wearing glasses or you’re ready to mix up your look a little. However, even seasoned contact lens wearers may experience discomfort when they first try a new batch. Because you can’t blame it on the usual culprits (e.g., poor hygiene, lenses have passed their expiration date, etc.), we’ll look at what might be causing the problem.

Problems with the Lens

A contact lens eye exam will include a contact lens fitting where the eye doctor will evaluate you for a specific brand of lenses and confirm that they can fit your eyes. Despite this procedure, it is possible that an eye doctor in Elkridge, MD, will recommend a lens that isn’t compatible with your eyes. Whether it’s a hard or soft lens, not everyone will be able to adjust to the product. For instance, a daily contact may be more prone to drying out because it has a relatively short time limit. Even going a few hours over while wearing them can start to take its toll.

Problems with the Environment

When the environment is too dry, contact lenses will feel the sting. In some cases, this can be corrected with a different lens material, one that makes it easier to retain moisture from both your eyes and the air that surrounds you. However, there are only so many ways to combat extremely dry air. The good news is that if you’re interested in contact lenses in Elkridge, MD, you’re unlikely to be dealing with desert weather. However, you may want to consider how appliances like a dehumidifier are affecting your lens comfort.

Contact an Eye Doctor in Elkridge

There are a variety of reasons why your lenses may not work out for you on the first go-around. For many people, it may just be a matter of getting used to a new material or a new routine. No matter how well-designed the contact lens is, it’s still a foreign piece of matter on your person. If you have questions about whether you need a new contact lens or just want to see if your symptoms are within the realm of normal, contact Dr. Jan Eye Care today.

The Most Commonly Asked Questions about Costco Vision

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If you have wondered about buying your eyewear from Costco Vision, you probably have some questions first. It might also be a good idea to talk with your eye doctor in Elkridge, MD as well. Your eye doctor will have information from other patients they can pass along.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Costco Vision

1. Does Costco Vision Sell Designer Sunglasses?

Yes, Costco Vision does sell a wide variety of designer sunglasses. They carry Chloé, XOXO, Hobie, Saint Laurent, Vera Bradley, and more.

2. Do You Have to Be a Costco Member to Purchase Glasses and Contact Lenses?

Yes, you do need to be a member to purchase your glasses and contact lenses from Costco if the prescription is from any optometrist other than a Costco Vision optometrist.

3. Can You Use a Prescription from Another Optometrist at Costco Vision?

Yes, you can bring a prescription from another optometrist in Elkridge, MD, and have it filled at Costco Vision, but only if you are a Costco member.

4. Does Costco Vision Sell Contact Lenses?

Yes, Costco Vision does sell contact lenses in Elkridge, MD along with other contact accessories. Additionally, they carry some of the top contact lens brands such as Acuvue (Moist and Vita), AquaComfort Plus, Air Optix, Biofinity, Proclear, Bausch + Lomb, Alcon, CooperVision, and Kirkland Signature. Kirkland Signature gives you the best value though with a 50% off savings.

5. How Is the Costco Vision Customer Service?

If you search the internet, you are going to get varying opinions about Costco’s customer service. Some people love them, some people hate them. However, Costco does have a 100% satisfaction guarantee for their members. So if for whatever reason you don’t like your prescription eyeglasses, you can either take them to the Costco optical department or Costco warehouse for a repair or you can request a refund or replacement.

6. How Much Do the Eyeglasses at Costco Vision Cost?

At the time of this writing, Costco’s single-lens eyeglasses cost $63 on average and the frames cost $61 on average. But of course, this will vary depending on your location, how complicated your prescription is, and which style of frames you choose.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Elkridge, MD?

If you need an optometrist in Elkridge, MD, please Contact Dr. Jan Eye Care today. Experience our care and you will see the difference! We look forward to hearing from you.

Are Novelty Contact Lenses Safe?

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Novelty contact lenses go under various names, such as cosmetic contacts, costume contacts, Halloween contacts and decorative contacts, but they are all essentially the same thing. They are worn for appearance rather than function. Novelty contacts are not prescription-based, and they don’t alter vision as a primary function.

Difference Between Colored Contacts and Novelty Contacts

It’s important to distinguish the difference between prescription colored contact lenses that you get from your eye doctor in Eldridge, MD and novelty contacts. Colored contacts prescribed by your eye doctor have the added feature of being colored. When worn, they alter the appearance of the iris to a different natural hue, such as blue, brown or green. They will be from a reputable contact lens brand, with all the safety standards of traditional, clear contacts.

Some novelty contacts, on the other hand, can be made by other companies that do not make prescription contacts. They may be purchased without a prescription, and without any eye exam.

Note that only with a prescription and a contact lens eye exam can you be sure that a contact lens will properly fit your eyes.

The Dangers of Novelty Contact Lenses

Wearing non-prescription novelty contact lenses, even for a short time, can cause permanent eye damage. Unfortunately, these lenses have become more popular and widely available, due to certain social behaviors such as cosplay, and real-life role-playing activities. Eye doctors are seeing more instances of eye damage from novelty contact lenses than ever before.

There is no such thing as a safe one-size-fits-all contact lens. Novelty contact lenses can cause scratches on the cornea, eye infections and even lacerations. Long-term, these non-prescription lenses can lead to corneal ulcers and keratitis, a painful bacterial infection that can cause blindness.

Contact lenses are considered medical devices and are regulated by the FDA. If you are procuring non-prescription, novelty contact lenses that don’t carry the FDA seal of approval, they aren’t safe to wear. If you choose to wear novelty contact lenses for an event, first obtain a prescription for contact lenses in Eldridge, MD from your eye doctor. Next, choose a seller that requires a prescription for the novelty contact lenses. Do not buy from cheap, seasonal Halloween stores, street vendors, beauty supply stores or anyone that does’t require a prescription.

Part of keeping your vision healthy is making sure you don’t fall prey to third-party sellers who are willing to break the law to sell unsafe novelty contacts. Always consult with your eye doctor if you’re unsure, by booking an appointment.