Contact lenses are a form of corrective eyewear placed on the surface of the eye. They are a lightweight alternative to wearing standard glasses. Many people prefer wearing contacts instead of glasses for different reasons, such as active lifestyle and general looks.

The idea for contact lenses began with an astronomer named Sir John Herschel in the year 1827. This Englishman thought that an exact mold of an eye could be created in order to form glasses that fit precisely over the cornea. His idea was brought into actuality by a glassblower from Germany by the name of F.A. Muller, who crafted the first contact lens. Soon, these lenses were made to prescription specifications and worn in place of traditional glasses.http://www.eyetopics.com/articles/18/1/The-History-of-Contact-Lenses.html

Modern contact lenses come in a variety of types, each intended to suit different individual needs. Soft daily-use lenses, made for everyday wear, are made out of a soft plastic material and are generally comfortable on the eye. However, they can not be made to correct all vision problems. Hard or rigid lenses are plastic and somewhat flexible, and are effective at correcting many vision issues. However, they may have a tendency to slip on the eye. Extended wear contacts may be worn overnight, and come in soft or hard varieties. Some contact lenses are disposable, while others are meant to last for a long period of time.http://www.pasadenaeye.com/faq/faq14/faq14_text.html

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist before using the information presented here.