If you are one of the unlucky ones who live with Myopia – more commonly known as near-sightedness – you have probably grown used to the world around you appearing blurry every now and then. You probably feel pretty unlucky in your vision, but the truth is, you are actually in luck.

No, not because you struggle to see things at a distance, but because you are in good company. Myopia is estimated to affect around a third of adults in Europe and the United States. The upside of this? There is a vast amount of research and correction options at your fingertips.

One of our specialties at Rochester Eye and Laser Center is prescribing and fitting patients for contact lenses, which can provide improved vision for those who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism.

More than 30 million Americans wear contact lenses, and according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost one million of them a year visit their eye doctors for eye infections caused by improper contact lens care. The condition is called keratitis, which occurs when the cornea becomes infected with fungi, bacteria, or other microbes, leading to pain, inflammation, scarring, and vision disturbances – possibly including blindness.

Imagine this: a cold Saturday afternoon with no more holiday chores to check off of your to-do list. You have no plans, no responsibilities, nothing to worry about except enjoying the time to yourself. This kind of day can nudge you into an impromptu, refreshing nap in no time at all. But, for some people, drifting off isn't as simple as just closing your eyes. If you aren't lucky enough to have 20/20 vision, you've probably wondered whether it's OK to nap with your contacts in. Not to scare you, but taking your contact lenses out of your eyes is one pre-nap ritual you should definitely be sure to make time for.