Let’s Talk About Contacts

Eyewearhaus is known for having the most unique eyewear in St. Louis.

But, did you know we also offer contact lens service too?

Yes!

Hard Contacts, Soft Contacts, Color Contacts.

Contacts to correct Keratoconus and an Astigmatism.

We also teach new users how to apply, remove, and care for their contacts.

Are you interested in making the switch to an eyewear free world?

Let’s talk about contacts!

First A Brief History

The initial concept for contact lenses came from Leonardo Da Vinci 1508 Codex of the eye, Manual D.

His theory, have a subject look through water to change the way the light refracted in the eye.

To observe the change, Da Vinci would have the subject submerge their head in a bowl of water; or wear a glass hemisphere filled with water, hence the term contact lens.

Da Vinci did not expect his theory to correct vision; he was curious about the accommodation (the ability of the eye to see distance and near vision).

The first successful contact lens; was invented by Ophthalmologist Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick in 1888.

These first lenses were made of blown glass and were considerable in size, fitting over the cornea and sclera of the eye. 

It was not until the 1930s when contact lenses made of plastic and glass were produced; by several European Eye Care Providers.

These plastic/ glass hybrid lenses paved the way for all plastic lenses!

But, it would be another 30 years before we would see anything that would resemble what we recognize as modern contact lenses.

Hard contact lenses were the norm until the 1960s when chemists Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lim, from the Czech Republic, developed Hydrogel Contact Lenses.

These lenses fit over the cornea and iris, were more comfortable than hard contact lenses, and most important; allowed oxygen to the eye.

I sure am glad that contacts have come so far! I am not so sure I could put a piece of glass in my eye!!!

Fast Forward To The Present 

Because of the contact lens pioneers; Optometrists and Ophthalmologists now have a variation of contact lenses to fit on their patients. 

Hard Contact lenses continued to be made available; though, they are not commonly used and can be costly.

These contacts are small and fit over the cornea of the eye. 

They are custom-made for the patient and can are used for years. 

Soft Contact lenses, made of silicone, are the most common option and are typically cost-friendly.

These contacts fit over the cornea and iris. 

They are soft, moist, and comfortable.

Soft contacts have the option to be worn daily, bi-weekly, or even monthly.

Contacts are NOT only for Single Vision!

We already know that contacts correct younger eyes, such as single vision prescriptions.

But did you know that they can also correct more mature eyes, such as a bi-focal prescription?

To correct a Bi-Focal Prescription with contact lenses: there are two options Multi-Focal and Mono Vision.

Muti-Focal Lenses are contact lenses that have BOTH distance and near vision built into a single lens.

As convenient as this option is, it is not perfect.

Multi-Focal lenses are not able to perfectly hone in on the prescription.

So, the wearer would sacrifice a small amount of distance vision or a small amount of near vision.

Mono Vision Lenses are where one eye wears a distance vision contact while the other wears a near vision contact.

The eyes then work together to form the necessary image in the distance or near.

This option sounds complex; but, it is often favored. 

Glasses Are Still Needed

The idea of taking a vision-enhancing tool from sitting on your face to being put directly on your eye is life-changing!

As marvelous as, contacts are they are still only a temporary tool for vision correction. 

Contact lenses wearers are still encouraged to keep a pair of backup eyewear in their arsenal of visual tools.

Why?

Well, there are several reasons.

Such as; before bed, when waking up, healing from an eye infection, and no contacts available.

Many new contact lens wearers are disappointed when they learn they should always have a pair of emergency glasses.

But, it is the case of being safe than sorry.

Want to learn more?

Contact lenses have come quite a long way! 

Contacts started as blown glass to now being flexible and soft.

Together we have learned how they can treat every visual need from single vision all the way to bi-focal. 

Interested in more? 

I encourage you to read our next blog Let’s Continue Talking About Contacts.