Can You Wear Contact Lenses After 60?

Age alone is not the limit

There is no age at which contacts are off limits. Instead, what matters is how your eyes are doing now. First, your eye doctor looks at your prescription, your tear film, your eye health and your hands before recommending contacts.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) lists contact lenses, along with glasses and surgery, as a way to correct refractive errors. For this reason, many older adults wear them successfully.

Reading vision is the challenge

After mid-life, close-up focus gets harder. This is presbyopia. With contacts, however, there are a few ways to handle it:

• Multifocal contacts that build distance and near power into each lens
• Monovision, where one eye is set for distance and one for near
• Contacts for distance plus reading glasses over the top

Each option has tradeoffs, and not everyone adapts to each one. A contact lens exam and fitting helps find which works for you. Then trial lenses let you test it in real life.

Some people find that glasses are simply easier now, and that is a perfectly good choice. Others like contacts for golf, pickleball or travel, when glasses can fog, slip or get splashed. In the end, the goal is clear and comfortable vision for the things you love.

Dry eye can get in the way

NEI notes that dry eye affects people 50 and older more often. It also notes that contact lens wearers are at higher risk. Symptoms include a scratchy feeling, stinging, burning, redness and blurry vision.

If your eyes feel dry by afternoon, mention it. Different lens materials, a different replacement schedule, or treating dry eye first may help. Wind and air conditioning can dry your eyes out too, according to NEI.

Artificial tears from the drugstore may help some people, but ask first. The right drops depend on your lenses and your eyes. Also, some are not made for use with contacts.

Healthy habits matter more with age

The CDC says that not wearing, cleaning and storing lenses as directed can raise the risk of serious eye infections. So these basic steps help:

• Wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses
• Follow the cleaning and replacement schedule your doctor gives you
• Keep lenses away from tap water, pools and showers
• Never sleep in lenses unless your doctor says your lens type allows it
• Replace your case on schedule

Arthritis or a tremor can make handling lenses harder. If that is you, tell us, because other options may help.

Same-day fills and your prescription

With a valid prescription, we can fill contact lenses the same day. However, you also have the right to take your prescription and buy lenses elsewhere. We do not require you to buy from us.

Also keep a backup pair of glasses, even if you wear contacts every day. They help on days when your eyes are red or tired, and if you ever need a break from lenses.

If you are new to the area and already wear contacts, bring the box or your last prescription to your first visit. Then we will review the fit before filling anything.

When to call

If your eye is red, painful, light-sensitive or has a discharge, take your lenses out and call us. Eye infections need prompt attention, so do not wait.

Sudden flashes of light, a shower of new floaters, a curtain over your vision, sudden vision loss or a chemical in the eye: call (352) 399-5412 right away, or go to the nearest emergency room.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your eye doctor about your own eyes.

Ready for your visit? Request an Appointment or Call (352) 399-5412.

We can also check how your lenses sit on your eye at each visit. Small changes in fit can cause discomfort before you notice a real problem.