A guide to contact lenses and the main differences between the most popular options.
Whether you’re already a seasoned contact lens wearer or you’re simply contact lens-curious, understanding the world of contact lenses will open your eyes (literally and figuratively) to the vision correction options available to you.
Few people know the difference between daily and monthly contacts, or soft versus rigid lenses—the most important options to consider. When it comes to contact lenses, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We’re guiding you through the contact lens landscape, so you can decide which products might be best suited to you.
Contact lenses versus glasses For those in need of vision correction, contact lenses come with a slew of benefits. While glasses certainly serve a purpose, contact lenses improve peripheral vision and make engaging in physical activities and sports easier. Since contacts conform to your eye, they won’t fog the way glasses sometimes do and also offer a wider field of view. Plus, they’ll never clash with your outfit.
While some people choose to wear contacts every day, others save them for special occasions only, and opt for frames the rest of the time. It’s all about personal preference and what suits your personal lifestyle needs.
That being said, the benefits of contact lenses can’t be ignored, and anyone who depends on vision correction should know the options available to them. Contact lenses can seem confusing and daunting to someone who has never worn them before, but once you work with an optometrist to find the right lenses for you—and the right way to wear them—they aren’t so scary, after all.
Daily versus monthly contact lenses One of the biggest decisions a prospective contact lens-wearer must make is between daily and monthly contacts. They are unquestionably among the most popular varieties of contacts, and they each come with unique pros and cons to keep in mind.
The central difference between daily and monthly contacts is fairly obvious: how long you can wear them for.
As its name implies, daily lenses are intended to be worn for one day and one day only—then disposed of. Meanwhile, monthly contact lenses are meant to be worn during the daytime, every day for a full month before replacing them with a brand-new pair.
Since monthly contacts last up to 30 days from the time the seal is broken, they must be stored overnight in a fresh cleaning solution. If they aren’t properly protected and sanitized, they can become unhygienic and potentially dangerous. So if you wear monthly lenses, it’s critical to swap them for a fresh pair at the end of the month.
On the other hand, daily lenses require less maintenance on the part of the wearer. Since they are disposed of at the end of each day, they are naturally more hygienic and convenient. While dailies will work to correct the vast majority of refractive errors (including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism), in the case of extremely high refractive errors, daily options are limited. For highly complex prescriptions, rigid lenses are a better option than soft monthly or daily lenses.
Beyond prescription, the cost is also something to consider, as daily lenses are typically more expensive than monthly lenses. For perspective, wearing daily contacts two to three times per week is about the same price as wearing monthly lenses every day.
Soft versus hard lenses While soft contact lenses are more popular than their hard counterparts, rigid lenses serve an important purpose, too, and are particularly common among people with high prescriptions. Hard lenses generally offer sharper vision, and they are usually longer-lasting.
Unfortunately, though, they aren’t as comfortable as soft lenses in the beginning, but they quickly become easily tolerable over time. They are also more likely to eject from the eyes during intense physical activity. In short, they’re less convenient and a little harder to get used to. But for some contact lens wearers, they’re the right pick.
Know your needs Choosing the best contact lenses for your eyes requires understanding your optical needs. Start by booking a comprehensive eye exam at an FYidoctors clinic near you. From there, we’ll help you find the perfect pair of lenses to match your prescription and other vision-related concerns, including astigmatism and multifocal/bifocal issues.
Consulting with an eyecare professional is essential, and being properly fitted for contact lenses is the key to being comfortable while wearing them. So don’t delay—book an appointment today and discover the many vision correction options available to you.
Frustrated by Fashion? Good News: A Smile Never Goes Out of Style
Just as you were growing to love neutral colors, high-waisted jeans, and elevated shoes, bright colors, low-rise pants, and ballet flats are back in style. So, if you’re frustrated by fashion and its ever-changing standards, you’re not alone. The good news is that there is one accessory that never goes out of style: a beautiful smile. To learn about its importance in your everyday life (as well as what to do if you don’t like your grin), keep reading!
The Importance of Fashion in Your Everyday Life
First, it’s important to discuss why fashion in your everyday life is essential. Since first impressions are formed in as little as a milli-second, the clothes you wear can dramatically affect what others think about you, including how old you are, what you do for a living, and if you’re trustworthy. Perhaps more importantly, your outfits can contribute to your confidence and self-esteem whether you’re heading into work, going on a date, hanging out with friends, or catching up with family!
Why You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
It turns out the classic lyric “you’re never fully dressed without a smile” isn’t far off! Whether you feel your best in cozy athleisure or a structured business suit, your expression is a non-verbal cue that those around you will pick up on. Since being friendly and approachable is often valued in both personal and professional settings, don’t forget to add a beautiful smile to your outfit of the day!
Here’s What to Do If You Don’t Like Your Smile
If you aren’t happy with your smile – whether it’s because you think it’s too “gummy” or because your teeth overlap – it can be difficult to share it with those around you. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry can correct nearly every dental flaw. From small chips and moderate misalignment to severe stains, dentist can create a customized treatment plan centered around your dental needs, concerns, and goals. The result? A smile that is as healthy as it is beautiful!
Sunglasses Guide: Differences Between Popular Options.
It’s widely known that sunglasses shield our eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, but few people understand how sunglasses really work and the critical role they play in sun protection.
The science of sunglasses For the same reason we wear sunscreen to protect our skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure, we must protect our eyes, too.
The sun can have grave impacts on our eyes—which, believe it or not, are susceptible to sunburn, just like our skin is. Excessive sun exposure can also increase the risk of cataracts, as well as macular degeneration. Not to mention, excessive sun exposure on the front of the eye can lead to unsightly growths called pinguecula that can eventually develop into damage to the eye that requires surgical intervention. In short, the sun can be scary, and it’s important to block off harmful rays.
Enter: sunglasses.
Far beyond being a stylish accessory, sunglasses play a critical role in protecting our eyes from the sun.
Without getting too technical, some lenses, depending on which type of lens material is chosen, inherently block 100% of UV rays, whereas some lenses require an additional coating to block UV radiation. That being said, not all sunglasses are created equal. When shopping for your next pair of shades, it’s important to consider quality and whether your sunglasses are really doing their job.
What to look for when shopping for sunglasses Any strong sunglass contender will, first and foremost, contain a UV coating, or will be made from a material that blocks 100% of UV rays. It’s the most critical part of a good pair of sunglasses and is simply essential for filtering out UV rays. If eye protection is a priority for you (and it should be!), make sure you choose your lens material with 100% UV protection, or ask to add on a UV coating.
Sunglasses can also be topped with additional enhancing elements, including:
1. A mirror coating, which offers another layer of protection, as it reflects light away from your eyes, similar to a mirror. Along with its protective powers, a mirror coating (which is applied to the front of your lenses) helps stave off eyestrain and squinting, making it easier to see clearly in the sunlight.
2. If mirror coatings aren’t your style, opt for an anti-reflective (AR) coating, which also reduces reflections. AR coatings work to mitigate irritating light reflections, allowing you to see a sharper image.
3. At FYidoctors, we’re big fans of polarized lenses—which, in our eyes, make for the highest-quality sunglasses. Polarized lenses eliminate glare (which, in certain environments, can feel blindingly bright) and improve clarity, comfort and overall vision.
Why pick polarized sunglasses? Unpolarized light exists all around us. It can come from the sun, a light bulb, or even a flame. Unpolarized light sources emit vibrations or waves that move in all directions.
When the direction of these vibrating light waves hits a smooth surface and reflects, the light becomes partially polarized. This is also known as glare, and is caused by too many waves of light becoming partially polarized and angled horizontally toward our eyes.
Excessive amounts of partially polarized light can be harmful to our vision. Over-exposure to bright light and glare can cause squinting, eye fatigue, and even temporary blindness in extreme cases. You will know your eyes are being impacted when you are outside in a bright environment and find yourself shielding your eyes from a flash of glaring light.
Particularly if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, polarized lenses are our top pick for superior sunnies. Polarized lenses act as filters, minimizing unsightly glare.
Shop our sunglasses selection We have an amazing selection of sunglasses and prescription sunglasses that will suit anyone’s style. Come by an FYidoctors clinic near you to check out our offerings in person, or visit us online at fyidoctors.com for free shipping on all orders.