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Eye & Contact Lens Factsheets

THE ANATOMY OF THE DAMAGED SOFT LENS

Soft contact lenses today are highly resistant to damage and extremely durable compared to first generation lenses. Despite this, occasionally a patient claims that a lens has simply split or torn even though they believe that they were, at the time, handling it carefully and in complete accordance with all our advice.

In such circumstances misunderstandings can occur and to avoid any possible loss of goodwill the following explanation may assist.

It is not unusual during a soft lens wearers routine annual after care check for us to discover that, unbeknown to the wearer, a lens has a small "nick" in its edge which has, so far, produced no physical discomfort. One day whilst handling a lens properly which has a nick in the edge, if it is folded along the line of the nick it may simply split - this is why we often hear the comment "it just fell apart in my hands".

Incidents of damage to soft contact lenses are exceedingly low, assuming careful patient handling, the main danger being edge damage caused by the finger nails, or catching the lens in the case lid. We strongly recommend any patient who damages a lens or who perhaps still lacks confidence in handling their lenses, to discuss their handling procedures and possibly seek further tuition from our fully trained Optometric Assistants.

THE GIFT OF SIGHT IS PRICELESS: In our practice we have always dedicated ourselves to the proper standards of after care so vital for every contact lens wearer. After care is unprofitable compared to the fitting of new patients but we will always continue to emphasise its importance. Our belief is that our insistence on your continued ocular welfare will in its turn result in you continuing to recommend our Specialist Contact Lens Practice to all your friends.