Can a 70 year old wear contact lenses?
Age is not a limiting factor for wearing contact lenses. With modern advancements in lens technology and materials, individuals in their 70s can enjoy the convenience and freedom that contacts offer. While aging brings natural changes to eye health, such as presbyopia (the hardening of the eye's lens) and decreased tear production, today's custom-tailored lens options are designed to effectively address these challenges. The key to success is a comprehensive eye exam and consultation with an eye care professional to determine the best lens type and wearing schedule for your specific needs and lifestyle.
Addressing common age-related eye changes
Many seniors experience changes in their vision and eye health that can impact contact lens wear. Here’s how modern lenses overcome these issues:
- Presbyopia: This common condition makes focusing on close objects difficult. In the past, this meant switching between distance contacts and reading glasses. Now, multifocal contact lenses are available, designed with different zones of power for near, intermediate, and far distances, providing a seamless visual experience. Monovision is another option, where one eye is fitted with a lens for near vision and the other for distance.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Decreased tear production is a prevalent issue in older adults, causing discomfort and irritation. Lens technology has evolved significantly to counter this. Silicone hydrogel lenses and daily disposable lenses are often recommended due to their high moisture retention and breathability, allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea. Specialty scleral lenses can also be used, as they vault over the cornea to create a tear-filled reservoir.
- Astigmatism: This irregular curvature of the eye can now be corrected with specialized toric contact lenses, which are available in both monthly and daily disposable options.
Benefits of wearing contacts in your 70s
Adopting or continuing contact lens use after 70 can offer significant benefits to an active lifestyle:
- Enhanced Field of Vision: Unlike glasses, contacts provide a full, unrestricted field of view, which is especially helpful for sports, driving, and other activities requiring good peripheral vision.
- Increased Independence: For many seniors, the ability to see clearly without relying on glasses enhances their confidence and independence.
- Convenience: The freedom from carrying multiple pairs of glasses or dealing with fogging is a huge advantage, particularly for those with a busy social calendar.
- Aesthetic Preference: Many people simply prefer their appearance without glasses, which can have a positive impact on self-esteem.
Considerations for seniors starting or continuing contact lens use
While contacts offer many benefits, there are important factors to consider, and a proper consultation with your eye doctor is non-negotiable.
- Hygiene and Handling: Excellent hygiene is critical to prevent eye infections, which can have more severe consequences in older adults. For those with dexterity issues, daily disposable lenses eliminate the need for cleaning and storage, making them a very hygienic and low-maintenance choice.
- Regular Eye Exams: Annual comprehensive eye exams are vital to monitor eye health and detect early signs of age-related diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration.
- Dry Eye Management: Discuss any feelings of dryness or discomfort with your eye doctor. They may recommend specific lens types, lubricating eye drops, or environmental adjustments like using a humidifier.
- Adjustment Period: New wearers or those transitioning to multifocals may need some time to adjust. A trial period is often recommended to ensure comfort and vision quality.
Comparison of contact lens options for seniors
| Feature | Daily Disposables | Monthly/Bi-Weekly Lenses | Multifocal Lenses | Scleral Lenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Excellent hygiene, dry eyes, occasional wear, dexterity issues | Cost-effective for consistent wear, stable vision needs | Presbyopia (near and far vision correction) | Severe dry eye, irregular corneas |
| Hygiene | Highest (fresh pair daily) | Requires diligent cleaning and storage | Requires diligent cleaning and storage | Excellent (sealed moisture layer) |
| Convenience | Most convenient (no cleaning) | Moderate (daily cleaning required) | Highly convenient (no reading glasses) | Less convenient (requires more insertion/removal steps) |
| Cost | Higher daily cost | Lower overall cost per year | Can be more expensive than single-vision lenses | Generally highest cost (specialty) |
Maintaining optimal eye health
Beyond selecting the right lenses, good habits are essential for senior contact lens wearers:
- Use Recommended Solutions: Always use the cleaning and storage solutions recommended by your eye care professional. For sensitive eyes, preservative-free hydrogen peroxide systems are often effective.
- Avoid Overwearing: Stick to the recommended wear schedule. Overwearing can lead to eye fatigue, hypoxia, and increase the risk of infection.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain natural tear production, which is crucial for comfortable lens wear.
- Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors, as eyes can become more sensitive to light with age.
- Address Discomfort Immediately: If you experience redness, pain, or prolonged blurriness, remove your lenses and consult your eye doctor immediately.
Conclusion: A clear path to comfortable vision
For a 70 year old, wearing contact lenses is not just possible but often a comfortable and convenient choice for vision correction. Innovations in lens materials and designs, particularly multifocal and daily disposable options, address the specific challenges that come with aging eyes, such as presbyopia and dry eye. The key to success lies in a professional consultation to find the right lenses for your individual needs and to commit to excellent eye hygiene. With the proper care and guidance from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, seniors can continue to enjoy the benefits of clear, unrestricted vision and maintain a high quality of life.
For more information on contact lens care and eye health, visit the American Optometric Association website.
