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What are Contact Lenses? |
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A short guide to contact lenses. What are contact lenses and how did they come about. |
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| Author: Benni Jenyfari |
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Various ideas were toyed with through the ages. In 1887, a German, Adolf Fick, made and fitted the first working contact lenses. He tested them on rabbits, then on himself and then on volunteers. As they were made from heavy, brown glass and were 21mm across (filling the entire eye) it’s surprising that there were any volunteers!
In the 1930’s, a type of rigid plastic lens first appeared. But the plastic didn’t let oxygen through to the eye. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s that these problems were overcome.
Soft lenses were launched in the 1960’s and immediately became popular due to their comfort. In 1999, the first silicon hydrogel lenses became available. These were comfortable and let oxygen through to the eye.
One hundred and twenty five million people worldwide now wear contact lenses. Also known as contacts, they are small, round, rigid or floppy lenses that sit on the eye – actually floating on the layer of clear liquid that bathes it.
They can be corrective – for improving sight, just like spectacles, or cosmetic – such as colored or special effects lenses.
Therapeutic lenses can also deliver medication or be used for healing an eye wound. Some lenses may be implanted into the eye during an operation to improve sight.
Most lenses now have a pale tint on them which is invisible when they are being worn, but helps the user to see them in the soaking pot or if they are dropped.
There are many reasons why people choose contacts. They may just hate wearing spectacles! Contacts are also more practical - they don’t steam up, aren’t a nuisance in the rain and give the wearer a wider field of vision. They are also better for sporting activities.
About Author
Benni Jenyfari is a freelance writer for http://www.eyecontactguide.com/ . Read about contact lenses, eye surgery and vision disorders.
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