Approximately 36 million Americans wear contact lenses, about 13% of the overall population. The vast majority wear a soft, disposable contact lens. The first contact lens was introduced in 1971. Contact lenses are very thin, button-sized optical discs which are carefully crafted to provide corrective vision to patients that suffer from myopia (shortsightedness), hyperopia (longsightedness), astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea), and presbyopia (lost ability to focus). Today, contact lens technology has rapidly improved, and there are a wide variety of lens types available, even including cosmetic, colored contacts. The most common types are soft disposable contacts, which come in monthly, weekly and even daily varieties, and gas permeable (GP) contacts. Most contact lenses require minimal maintenance, and simple soaking in a multipurpose solution to clean them nightly. Other varieties of contacts allow them to remain in place for an extended period, even while you sleep, up to several days.

Browse >> Health