Permanent contacts gain popularity

October 8, 2010

Interest in permanent contacts, corrective lenses implanted into one's eyes, is on the rise, reports CBS4.com.

Though the contacts were approved by the FDA in 2004, they have only recently gained popularity, as doctors have become more able to identify possible candidates.

Those whose vision is impaired so severely that laser cannot fix the problem are considered the best candidates for the procedure.

Implantation is fairly easy and can be completed in less than half an hour. Surgeons simply cut the edge of the eyeball and place the soft lens directly behind the iris. Though a relatively efficient treatment, the lenses are fairly expensive and can cost up to $7,000.

However, the contacts offer considerable vision improvement for patients, including those who currently wear contacts or glasses, "It's a little bit like when you have your regular TV, and you upgrade and get and HDTV,” Brian Boxer Wachler, an eye doctor, told the news source.

The American Optometric Association recommends female contact-wearers follow a certain guidelines to protect their eyes: puttting contacts on before applying makeup, avoiding lash-extending mascara, removing lenses before removing makeup and applying water-based hypo-allergenic foundations.