History of Contact Lenses
A contact lens, or simply contact, is a lens placed on the eye. Contact lenses are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct vision, for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. In 2004, it was estimated that 125 million people (2%) use contact lenses worldwide, including 28 to 38 million in the United States.[1] In 2010, worldwide contact lens market was estimated at $6.1 billion, while the U.S. soft lens market is estimated at $2.1 billion.[2] Some have estimated that the global market will reach $11.7 billion by 2015.[2] As of 2010, the average age of contact lens wearers globally was 31 years old and two thirds of wearers were female.[3]
People choose to wear contact lenses for many reasons. Aesthetics and cosmetics are often motivating factors for people who would like to avoid wearing glasses or would like to change the appearance of their eyes.[4] Other people wear contacts for more visual reasons. When compared with spectacles, contact lenses typically provide better peripheral vision, and do not collect moisture such as rain, snow, condensation, or sweat. This makes them ideal for sports and other outdoor activities. Additionally, there are conditions such as keratoconus and aniseikonia that are typically corrected better by contacts than by glasses.
Wearing contacts should be enjoyable and easy! If you have always worn glasses and never tried contacts, now is the perfect time!
“What is the history of contact lenses?” is a common question asked by many patients who are just beginning to wear contact lenses for the very first time. Our friends at 10/10 Optics have put together a great infographic on the history of contact lenses which outlines the many benefits of wearing contact lenses. For instance, did you know that you can now choose to wear contact lenses that you are able to sleep in too?
If you are interested in contacts call us today at 763-271-2020 to speak to one of our experts, or Contact Us Online! We are here and happy to answer any questions you might have about contact lenses.
- ^ Barr, J. “2004 Annual Report”. Contact Lens Spectrum. January, 2005.
- ^ ab Nichols, Jason J., et al “ANNUAL REPORT: Contact Lenses 2010”. January 2011.
- ^ Morgan, Philip B., et al. “International Contact Lens Prescribing in 2010”. Contact Lens Spectrum. October 2011.
- ^ Sokol, JL; Mier, MG; Bloom, S; Asbell, PA (1990). “A study of patient compliance in a contact lens-wearing population”. The CLAO journal : official publication of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Inc16 (3): 209–13. PMID2379308.
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