13 contact lens myths

Sharon Copeland Sharon Copeland
Monday, 31 May 2021 Share this blog: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy link Copy Link

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding contact lenses and lens wear. For example, you can clean contacts in tap water and you can't wear lenses if you're over 40. This article debunks the top 13 contact lens myths and will put your mind at ease.

1. You can wash your contact lenses in water

Although water is pure enough to drink, it contains bacteria known as amoeba which, if comes into contact with your eyes, can cause Acanthamoeba Keratitis, a painful eye condition. This is why it’s recommended to remove your lenses before swimming or showering.

You should avoid washing your contact lenses in water at all costs and only use contact lens solution to clean your lenses. Even residual water from not drying your hands properly can then transfer to your lenses and introduce bacteria to your eyes.

2. Contact lenses can get stuck behind your eye

A thin membrane known as the conjunctiva covers the white part of your eye and connects to the inner eyelids, making it physically impossible for contact lenses to get lost or stuck behind your eyes.

3. Contact lenses can fall out of your eyes

Today’s contact lenses have been specifically designed to remain stable on the eye, so it’s extremely uncommon for a contact lens to fall out of your eye on its own accord.

There are some scenarios where contact lenses can fall out of your eyes such as when engaging in extreme vigorous activity; however, in this case, rigid gas permeable lenses are more likely to fall out of your eye as they are smaller than soft contact lenses.

4. Contact lenses can get permanently stuck to your eye

Contact lenses can stick to the eye if you have slept in them or if you haven’t been taking good care of them. In these scenarios, the contact lens can dry out and stick to your eyeball. This is not permanent and can be removed by using rewetting drops such as our comfi Soothe Drops. Once you have applied these, all you’ll need to do is gently massage your eye and the lens will move, ready for you to take it out.

5. You can’t wear contact lenses if you have astigmatism

This is a load of nonsense; toric contact lenses have been designed specifically for astigmatism and integrate new technologies for a stabilised design that maintains it’s position when on the eye. 1 Day Acuvue Moist For Astigmatism is a popular toric lens as is Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric.

6. Children can’t wear contact lenses

Children are perfectly fine to wear contact lenses so long as they can handle them appropriately and are responsible enough to care for them. In fact, some children are fitted with contact lenses for eye conditions they have developed at birth, including congenital cataracts.

child with contact lenses

7. Buying contact lenses online is unsafe

As long as you use a reputable retailer, it is perfectly safe to buy contact lenses online. At Feel Good Contacts, we are a team of qualified opticians and only stock contact lenses that are FDA approved. You’ll find a huge selection of reputable contact lens brands on our website including optician own brand contact lenses for cheaper than anywhere on the high street.

8. Contact lenses are too expensive

Online shopping has made buying contact lenses cheaper than ever before and at Feel Good Contacts, not only do we offer cheaper contact lenses than anywhere on the high street, we also offer the lowest UK prices and a price match guarantee where we will refund you the difference should you find your contact lenses cheaper elsewhere.

9. People over 40 years old should not wear contact lenses

You can wear contact lenses at any age even after the age of 40 or you have presbyopia. Multifocal contact lenses are available for people who require different prescriptions for distance and reading and can be worn as an alternative to reading glasses for presbyopia.

10. Contact lenses are uncomfortable

While there is a brief adjustment period for wearing contact lenses, contact lens wearers should not experience pain or discomfort from their lenses. Most people don’t even notice they are wearing them once this period has passed.

You can take a look at our article ‘What do I do when my contact lenses hurt?’ for advice, if you are experiencing discomfort from your lenses. If you experience burning or irritation, remove your contact lenses and seek advice from your optician immediately.

11. Your eyes need to take a break from contact lenses

Most modern contact lenses are made from highly breathable materials such as silicone hydrogel which allows more oxygen to pass through them, therefore making them absolutely fine to wear on a daily basis even if you are more prone to dry eyes.

12. Wearing contact lenses causes eye problems

Contact lenses are perfectly safe to wear as long as you follow a healthy lens care routine, taking the time to clean and store your contact lenses correctly. If you follow your opticians or eye care professionals’ advice and replace your contact lenses when required, your contact lenses shouldn’t cause you any problems.

13. Contact lenses are hard to maintain

Looking after your contact lenses is not as tricky as people think and if you don’t want to go through the trouble of cleaning your lenses, daily disposable contact lenses are a fantastic option to consider.

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