Top Docs: 5 fast facts about contact lenses

Many people with eye issues have thought for years that contact lenses weren't for them. But they might want to think again.

Here's what you need to know about today's contact lenses:

Once you reach age 40 or so, many contact lens wearers with nearsightedness -- meaning they have difficulty seeing things at a distance -- discover that they now have trouble reading up close, too. For some, that means having to wear reading glasses in addition to their contacts, which largely defeats the purpose.

"Now, there are blended contact lenses that people can wear for both distance and close-up vision," said Dr. Leslie Goldberg, director of ophthalmology at St. Francis Hospital and an eye surgeon based in Manhasset.

These lenses are known as bifocal or multifocal lenses because they allow two or more levels of vision correction.

Astigmatism, a condition that causes blurred vision, has long been difficult to correct through contact lenses, especially the widely favored soft ones.

But today, more soft contact lenses -- including daily disposables -- are available to treat astigmatism, Goldberg said. However, their availability still may be limited by a particular person's prescription.

Daily disposable lenses, for example, aren't available for some people who need higher levels of correction, he said, because there aren't enough people with those prescription levels for contact lens manufacturers to sell the lenses at a high volume.

Though some people can't wear contact lenses because their eyes are naturally too dry and become irritated by the contacts, "there are several new materials and designs which incorporate a lubricating agent within the lens or other treatments that can improve the long-term 'wetability,' " Goldberg said. "Dryness is less of a problem, and some people who couldn't have previously been able to wear contacts can wear them."

However, dryness still can be troublesome for some contact lens wearers, cautioned Dr. Gerard D'Aversa, an ophthalmologist in Valley Stream. "The contacts need to float on the surface of the eye for them to function properly," he explained. "Patients that have a dry eye syndrome could have difficulty wearing the contacts and, in turn, could have complications from the contacts mechanically rubbing up against the surface of the cornea without proper lubrication being present."

"We see the most common problems related to contacts in patients who sleep with the contacts overnight," D'Aversa said.

"The contact lens is placed on the cornea at the front of the eye," he said. "This structure receives its oxygen and nutrients from the tear layer covering the cornea. Contacts slow or may prevent the flow of oxygen and nutrients

from being absorbed by the cornea. This leads to a breakdown of the corneal surface, which, in turn, can lead to infections of the cornea and ultimately scar tissue formation and loss of vision."

To prevent this from happening, it's crucial to allow the cornea "to breathe," he said, by giving it a break from contacts.

To reduce the chances of developing an eye infection, ophthalmologists recommend that contact lenses be worn for the shortest time possible. The best way to do that is to put in new lenses each day, they say.

Dr. Pamela Weber, an ophthalmologist in Commack and Shirley who specializes in retina disorders, said that daily disposable lenses don't require chemical disinfection or cleaning, nor do they need to be stored in contact lens cases that can become contaminated.

She suggested that people who don't have daily disposable lenses replace their lens cases every month to avoid contamination.

And if you feel an eye irritation, Weber said, contact your eye doctor right away because you could have an infection. "Don't hold off," she said -- and be sure to take the lens with you to your appointment so your doctor can inspect it.

This is the 23rd installment of a 26-week series in which Newsday presents Castle Connolly's list of top Long Island doctors.

Ophthalmologists

375 E. Main St., Rm. 24

Bay Shore; 631-665-1330

901 Stewart Ave., Ste. 255

516-794-2020

600 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 214

516-470-2020

585 Plandome Rd., Ste. 104

311 Barnum Ave.

Port Jefferson

631-928-6400

65 Roosevelt Ave.

Rm 204

516-374-4199

365 County Rd. 39A

Ste. 2

Southampton

631-283-3677

33 Research Way

Ste. 13

631-444-4090

600 Northern Blvd.

Rm. 216

516-466-0390

600 Northern Blvd., Ste. 216

516-466-0390

Dr. Perry Garber

800 Community Dr.

516-627-6630

8 Medical Plaza, Bldg. 8

Glen Cove; 516-676-4596

2110 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 208

516-627-5113

2 Lincoln Ave., Ste. 401

516-763-4106

520 Franklin Ave.

Ste. L9

516-742-3937

185 Woodbury Rd.

Hicksville

516-681-3937

2110 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 208

Manhasset; 516-627-5113

260 Middle Country Rd., Ste. 201

222 E. Main St., Ste. 330

631-724-4488

500 W. Main St., Ste. 210

Babylon; 631-957-3355

2000 N. Village Ave.

Ste. 402

516-766-2519

186 Old Towne Rd.

Southampton 631-283-3533

600 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 214

516-465-8400

2000 N. Village Ave.

Ste. 402

516-766-2519

137 Hampton Rd.

Southampton

631-283-5152

4212 Hempstead Tpke.

222 E. Main St., Ste. 330

631-724-4488

310 E. Shore Rd.

Rm. 102

Great Neck

516-466-8989

331 E. Main St.

Patchogue

631-758-5300

Mid-Island Eye

Physicians & Surgeons

4277 Hempstead Tpke., Ste. 109

600 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 220

Great Neck

516-465-8444

75 Froehlich Farm Blvd.

516-496-2122

2500 Nesconset Hwy. 17B

Stony Brook

631-246-9140

Stony Brook Ophthalmology

33 Research Way, Ste. 13

360 Merrick Rd., Fl. 3

Lynbrook

516-593-7709

3003 New Hyde Park Rd., Ste. 203

516-327-0505

LI Jewish Med. Center

Dept. Ophthalmology

600 Northern Blvd.

Ste. 218

Great Neck

516-470-2020

1500 William Floyd Pkwy., Ste. 304

4212 Hempstead Tpke.

Eye Care Assoc.

260 Middle Country Rd.

Ste. 201

631-265-8780