Am I a candidate for contact lenses?

Considering contact lenses in Seattle? Discover candidacy, safety tips, and modern solutions for astigmatism and presbyopia at Cannon

Your Top Contact Lens Questions Answered by Seattle Eye Experts

1. Are contact lenses safe?

Yes, when prescribed and cared for properly. Seattle eye doctors emphasize:

• Follow hygiene practices (wash hands before handling lenses).

• Replace lenses as directed (daily, bi-weekly, or monthly).

• Attend annual Seattle eye exams to update prescriptions.

2. Am I a candidate for contact lenses?

Most patients in Seattle can wear contacts! Factors include:

• Eye health (e.g., dry eye management in WA’s climate).

• Lifestyle (ideal for active Seattleites hiking or biking).

• Prescription type (astigmatism, bifocals, etc.).

3. Can you sleep in contact lenses?

Only if prescribed for overnight use. Sleeping in non-approved lenses raises infection risks. Ask your Seattle optometrist about FDA-approved extended-wear options.

4. Can people with astigmatism wear contacts?

Absolutely! Modern toric lenses correct astigmatism. Seattle clinics offer tailored fittings for irregular corneas.

5. How do I learn to put contacts in?

Our Seattle team provides:

• Step-by-step tutorials during fittings.

• Tools like suction applicators for beginners.

• Follow-up support to ensure comfort.

6. Can bifocal patients wear contacts?

Yes! Options include:

• Multifocal lenses.

• Monovision (one eye corrected for distance, one for near).
  Schedule a Seattle contact lens consultation to explore solutions.

7. Can a contact lens get stuck behind your eye?

No—anatomy prevents this. If a lens shifts, rinse your eye or visit a Seattle eye care provider for safe removal.

In this blog post, I will attempt to address the most common contact lens questions.

Best Candidates for Contact Lenses in Seattle, WA

Ideal for patients who:

• Wear glasses daily but desire flexibility.

• Participate in Seattle sports (e.g., hiking, kayaking) or need clear vision in rainy weather.

• Seek alternatives for social events (weddings, theater nights).
  • Not recommended for those with minimal prescription needs, unless lifestyle demands outweigh maintenance.

Advances in Astigmatism Correction

• Toric Lenses: Correct up to 2.5 diopters of astigmatism.
• Custom Solutions: Seattle optometrist Dr. Mark Cannon at Cannon EyeCare successfully fits lenses for 5 diopters—achieving near-20/20 vision.

Safety Practices from Seattle’s Trusted Optometrists

• Keep updated glasses for evening wear (let eyes “breathe”).

• Replace lenses on schedule to avoid CLOW (Contact Lens Over Wear).
  • Never: Sleep in contacts—increases infection risks.
  • Schedule annual exams at Cannon EyeCare in Seattle, WA, for personalized guidance.

Multifocal Contacts: Seattle’s Latest Option

Eliminate reading glasses with:

• Daily disposable multifocals: Ideal for active lifestyles.

• Custom designs for tasks like screen work or exploring Pike Place Market.

Pediatric Contact Lenses: Safe for Kids?

1. Safety & Age Recommendations

• Safety first: Modern contacts are safe for kids when properly fitted and supervised.

• Typical age: Most optometrists recommend starting at age 10-12, depending on maturity and hygiene habits.

• Seattle-specific note: At Cannon EyeCare, Dr. Mark Cannon assesses each child’s readiness through a trial period with daily disposables to minimize infection risks.

2. Benefits of Contacts for Kids

• Sports & activities: Ideal for Seattle’s soccer, swimming, or rainy-day play (no fogged glasses!).

• Self-esteem boost: Many kids prefer contacts for school or social events.

• Myopia control: Specialized lenses (e.g., MiSight®) can slow childhood nearsightedness progression.

3. Parent & Child Readiness Checklist

Ask yourself:

• Does my child handle routines well (e.g., brushing teeth)?

• Can they avoid rubbing their eyes?

• Are they motivated to wear contacts (not just parent-pressured)?

4. Why Choose a Seattle Provider?

• Custom fittings: Cannon EyeCare uses kid-friendly tools to measure small corneas accurately.

• Training: Doctors (not technicians) teach insertion/removal with patience—no extra fees for repeat sessions.

• Emergency support: Same-day help for lost lenses or irritation, critical for busy Seattle families.

Conclusion

Finally, if you are new to contacts, any eye doctor worth their salt will train you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. There is a fee for the insertion and removal training class, but this class allows the eye doctor to set you up for success. At Cannon EyeCare in Seattle, all training classes are taught by one of our doctors. In contrast, most other clinics would have a technician or optician teaching this class, which is typically fine if they know what they are doing. Almost anybody can learn to put in contacts if they are properly motivated.

Sincerely, Dr. Mark J Cannon, optometrist @ Cannon EyeCare (at Market Optical) in Seattle, Washington