The first impression a workplace supervisor or subordinate forms of you is typically preferable if you have a professional appearance. Even if your keratoconus does not yet necessitate wearing corrective eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses or contact lenses), this cornea disorder is associated with progressive nearsightedness. Meanwhile, nearsightedness – or myopia – that is not treated can cause you to squint (and this can be misinterpreted by others as a worried expression). Therefore, correcting your myopia can be both vital for job performance and for contributing to a professional appearance.
The staff of the Precision Keratoconus Center can assist you in determining which type of corrective lenses will best meet your daily needs.
Choosing Between Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses – Which is Preferable for You?
Cornea disorders such as keratoconus can produce cornea pain and a dry-eye condition, but not everyone with keratoconus develops these conditions. However, wearing typical contact lenses (whether soft or hard lenses) to correct your myopia can be less comfortable if you have either of these two conditions. Likewise, keratoconus-afflicted people often are diagnosed with both myopia and astigmatism – resulting in the inability to wear soft contact lenses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 90 percent of contact lens wearers use soft contact lenses. One reason is the longer time frame typically needed to adjust to the wearing of hard (Rigid Gas Permeable [RGP]) and/or scleral contact lenses as compared to soft contact lenses.
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Scleral Contact Lenses and Adjustment Period
If you find contact lenses that rest on the cornea to be painful for all-day “on the job” wear, scleral contact lenses may be an excellent option. A medical research article in 2016 reported scleral contact lens wear as the most beneficial choice for adults with cornea disorders and one (or more) of the following five conditions:
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dryness of the conjunctiva).
- Limbal stem cell deficiency (deficiency in limbal stem cells necessary for re-population of the corneal epithelium).
- Neurotropic keratitis (corneal degenerative disorder characterized by loss of corneal sensitivity).
- Exposure keratitis (damage to the cornea caused by environmental exposure such as occurs in people with infrequent eyelid blinking);
- Cicatrizing conjunctivitis (chronic and progressive inflammation of the conjunctiva)
Inserting a scleral contact lens into the eye can be difficult for some people with myopia – especially elementary school-aged children or those with hand tremors. Therefore, people who choose to wear scleral contact lenses need to allot themselves a longer adjustment period than for other types of contact lenses.
Purchasing Eyeglasses and Face Shape
Your professional appearance in eyeglasses can be improved if the style worn is one that is commensurate with the usual standards in your particular workplace. However, your face shape can actually impact the appearance of a particular style of eyeglasses on you.
If you have an oval face shape, the widest range of appealing eyeglass styles are available. However, wide frames (that are heavier on the top of the frame) are best for faces that are square in shape, while a frame that is a delicate metal or rimless is best for a triangular-shaped face (per the website of the Mayo Clinic).
Overall, a more conservative style for workplace wear is preferable (but such a style may be less flattering than one in an atypical shape or color). Considering your normal work attire is a good idea, as some frame colors may clash with your customary business suit, shirt, or blouse color.
With so many Precision Keratoconus Center locations, scheduling an appointment to determine your corrective eyewear options makes good sense. While eyeglasses may be preferable for you at work, contact lenses may be the best choice for you at home and on weekends.