These are some of the answers to questions about contact lenses that our readers have asked.  If you have some other concerns, let us know .  We will help you get the answers.

1. How long do contact lenses last?
2. Is it safe to wear contact lenses while working for prolonged periods in front of a computer monitor?
3. Do I have to get an eye exam before I can order contact lenses?
4. Do I have to clean my contact lenses?
5. I feel my contact lenses drying out after wearing for awhile.  Is there anything I can do?
6. Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy contact lenses?
7. Are colored contact lenses expensive?
8. If I’m myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted), can I wear contact lenses?
9. I have astigmatism, can I wear contact lenses?
10. Once I start wearing contact lenses, do I have to wear them continuously?  Would they damage my vision if I only wear them infrequently?
11. Can frequent  wearing of contact lenses weaken or damage my eyes?
12. I don't have vision insurance, is it expensive to see an eye doctor?

1.  How long do contact lenses last?

It depends on the type of contact lenses.  The extended wear or frequent replacement contact lenses, if properly cared for, can last for many months because they are reusable.  A hint to indicate it's time to replace new extend wear or frequent replacement contact lenses is when your eyes start feeling more uncomfortable with the contact lenses than before.  Never wear the contact lenses longer than recommended by your doctor. On the other hand, disposable contact lenses are not reusable.  Since the disposable contact lenses are designed for single use, don't wear them for more than a week.

2.  Is it safe to wear contact lenses while working for prolonged periods in front of a computer monitor?

In general you should give your precious eyes a break away from your monitor every couple of hours (2 or 3)even if you have 20/20 vision. 

This gives you a chance to rest your eyes by blinking.  If you have not noticed, your eyes blink less frequently while staring at a monitor.

It is safe to wear contacts for long duration of time in front of a monitor as long as you constantly keep your contact lenses hydrated.  Dehydrated contact lenses occur due to a lack of oxygen absorption in the eyes, which triggers irritation, discomfort, and possibly other more serious problems.  Recent contact lenses are designed to retain moisture throughout the day and are excellent for use in this situation.

3.  Do I have to get an eye exam before I can order contact lenses?

Unless you don't have any eye complication (20/20 vision i.e.) or your eye prescription is current (less than 2 years) and you don't feel any changes in your vision, you should get a prescription from an eye doctor prior to buying contact lenses.  Your eyes are too precious for guesswork.

4.  Do I have to clean my contact lenses?

Unless you use the daily disposable lenses, you must clean your contact lenses before every single use.  Otherwise, you are likely to end up with infections in your eyes.  The cleaning process is very important as it removes the protein and other residues stuck to your contact lenses.

This helps prevent the risk of infection from unfriendly bacteria.  All you have to do is place them in good quality solutions (not tap water as it contains you-know-what bacteria) and let them soak for at least 6 hours.  It only takes 2 minutes to set that up each time.  Well ok, it  might take 5-7 minutes if you are new to it.

5.  I feel my contact lenses drying out after wearing for awhile.  Is there anything I can do?

One of the reasons that causes your contact lenses to dry out is your lack of eye blink.  Have you noticed that you don't blink enough when you wear contact lenses?  Increase your blink rate to the normal one blink every 5 or 6 seconds. You could also use eye drops that are designed for contact lenses such as Eyemist™ by Nature's Tears® which is available at most major drug stores.

6.  Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy contact lenses?

No.  Your eyeglass specifications are different from your contact lenses'.  A contact lens prescription is more complex because your eyes have to be evaluated and fitted for the contact lenses.

7.  Are colored contact lenses expensive?

It really depends on your current financial status.  Are you comfortable with spending say 30 bucks every 1 and a half months to look fashionable?  If yes, then they are not expensive.

8.  If I’m myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted), can I wear contact lenses?

Yes.  Bifocal contact lenses are designed for people with myopia or hyperopia.

9.  I have astigmatism, can I wear contact lenses?

Answer:  Yes.  You may have been told that because you have astigmatism that you can only wear eyeglasses or toric RGP (hard) lenses.  That's true you have a particularly complicated prescription; otherwise, you can likely have your astigmatism corrected with toric contact lenses.  Toric contact lenses are soft contact lenses.  These soft contact lenses come in disposable, frequent replacement, and even color.

10.  Once I start wearing contact lenses, do I have to wear them continuously?  Would they damage my vision if I only wear them infrequently?

Answer:  No and no.  You are fortunate to live in an era where there are daily disposable lenses that can be worn as little or as often as you wish.  On top of that, they are very comfortable even on your first attempt at wearing them.  Because they are daily disposable, you get to have a new fresh pair every time you use them.

11.  Can frequent  wearing of contact lenses weaken or damage my eyes?

Answer:  This myth is similar to the one that says eating at night will result in weight gain.  The key purpose of contact lenses is to provide you clear vision in the most comfortable manner possible.  They are not drugs that require you to increase the dosage as your tolerance builds.  As a matter of fact, you could do more damage to your eyes by struggling to see things without the aid of your contacts.  For those with 20/20 vision, wearing non-prescription color lenses should not harm your eyes either.  Some types might even help your eyes because they are designed to block some UV radiation like sunglasses do.

12.  I don't have vision insurance, is it expensive to see an eye doctor?

Answer:  Your eyes and vision are priceless.  However, there are times when your  financial situation may not be at its best .  There are programs that might be of assistance to you.

Go to financial aid programs for eye care...