A customer survey by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, which has a branch on Stone High Street, found there is still some way to go to overcome people’s reluctance to give them a go.
Contact lenses may be lighter, more comfortable and offer greater clarity than ever before, thanks to technological advances, but most of us still close our eyes to their advantages.
Indeed some 52 per cent of respondents said they would not consider them an alternative to glasses.
The most common reason for never trying contact lenses was fear of touching their eyes or putting something in them, which was given by 32 per cent of those questioned.
Yet, for those who get over any such reservations, the benefits and convenience do make a difference, and 57 per cent said they wore their contact lenses every day.
Jack Alcock, manager of the High Street branch, said:
“We’re keen to make more people aware of the many benefits contact lenses can bring to their lifestyle and vision. We also appreciate that there may be barriers or concerns that prevent them making that first step, which is why we can help to make it easier.
“They can come into branch and talk to us so we can explain what is involved, detail the benefits and bust any myths around the comfort or suitability of contact lenses.
“If anyone is worried about putting them in their eyes they can book an assessment with our optician and experience contact lenses first-hand. It’s free and there’s no obligation to take it further. It’s an ideal opportunity for those who would like to try contact lenses but who need a little more reassurance or support to do something about it.”
TOP FACTS ABOUT CONTACT LENSES
1 Anyone can wear contact lenses
They are suitable for a wide range of prescription requirements, whether you are short-sighted, long-sighted, have astigmatism, drier eyes, and are young or old.
2 They are a practical alternative
Comfortable and easy to use, they give you more freedom and are a practical alternative for energetic sports and leisure activities. Unlike glasses, they won’t fall off, slide down your nose or break, and you are less likely to lose or misplace them.
4 Practice makes all the difference
It may take a little while to get used to putting contact lenses in, but after some practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it. Take advice from an eye care professional who can show you how it’s done.
5 Contact lenses can’t get lost behind the eye or get permanently stuck to it
A thin membrane, the conjunctiva, covers the white of your eyes and connects to the inside of your eyelids, making it impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind the eye. While a soft contact lens can become more difficult to remove if it dries out, simply remoistening the lens by applying a multipurpose contact lens solution will get it moving again.
6 Contact lenses are safe
Wearing contact lenses is safe, but you must follow instructions on how to care for them, how long to wear them and how frequently you should replace them. Heed the guidance and advice you will be given by your opticians.
