Contact lenses have come a long way since it began as an idea in 1508. Leonardo da Vinci was credited with having the first idea in creating contact lenses. It all started when he decided to study and experiment on the human eye. In his manual “Codex of the Eye, Manual D,” Leonardo da Vinci went into detail about a method that he used of “directly altering corneal power.” This method consisted of using a bowl of water with a person’s head submerged or “wearing a water-filled glass hemisphere over the eye.”

There were many scientists and inventors who took their cue from Leonardo da Vinci. However, it was in 1888 that a German ophthalmologist was noted in history as the first person to successfully construct and fit the first contact lenses. This ophthalmologist was named Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick. Mr. Fick created the blueprint of today’s contact lenses. In Zürich, he fabricated what was then called, “afocal scleral contact shells.”

Variety

Today, there are many contact lenses to choose from. There are different brands, different colors, and different materials for a range of prescriptions or for style. You can purchase contact lenses at your eye doctor’s office, retail stores, and online. Some people look for high-quality Simple Contacts, while others seek fashionable disposables to wear. In any case, getting the correct contact lenses for your eyes ensures a comfortable and safe fit. An eye exam is the beginning steps for those who are looking to wear contact lenses for the first time.

As previously mentioned, there are countless varieties of brands for contact lenses. Acuvue, Air Optix, and FreshLook are only a few popular brands to name. They come in daily to monthly packs and may also have options for colors. They also have a selection of contact lenses that include multifocal, bifocal, toric, and for astigmatism. For color options, there are colors from green, blue, to even red. There are also fashionable types of contact lenses that have designs like smiley faces, hearts, and tiger’s eyes. These are generally for fashion and are not normally recommended for daily wear, especially if you have a prescription.

Pricing will vary depending on the pack, the options you choose, and the appropriate type of contact lenses for your eyes according to your eye exam. Generally, purchasing a monthly pack will be more cost-effective, but may not be suitable for everyone.

Daily and weekly option packs are popular among those who often do not have time for upkeep and maintenance. They simply prefer to dispose of their contacts after each use or a few uses. Daily contacts are to be disposed of every night and a new pack opened each day. Weekly packs can be used on a weekly basis, but you will need to purchase additional items for its maintenance. For instance, you open a weekly pack and begin the “wear period.” Every night when you take off your contact lenses, you will have to rinse your contact lenses with cleaning solution before storing them. Your contact lens case should also be cleaned and dried before putting in solution to store your contacts in, nightly. Monthly packs are the same in reference to maintenance and reusability, only in a monthly wear duration. Additionally, on top of the varieties mentioned above, there are soft contact lenses, hard contact lenses, and breathable contact lenses that help your eyes “breathe” a little better. Again, it is best to talk with your eye doctor to get the best type of contact lenses for your eyes.

Insurance

In line with eye exams, it is recommended to have your eyes checked annually. Remember to make sure your prescription is up to date. You don’t want to walk around with a headache all day and damage your eyes in the long run. Which brings me to insurance. There are many insurance companies who have supplemental coverage specific to eye care that may not be covered under your normal health plan. Benefits for this supplement insurance can cover the visit to the ophthalmologist, eye exams, and an allowance for glasses or contact lenses. Check with your insurance provider to get more details about your covered benefits.

These are only a few types of contact lenses readily available today. Check with your insurance provider for additional information on benefits and the types of contact lenses that are covered under your policy. Also, please remember to dispose of your contact lenses responsibly.