Text to speech for those reading with contact lenses

Contact lenses are a popular eyeglass alternative for around 45 million people in the United States, two-thirds of which are female. They are a great option for people who enjoy the convenience they offer. They don’t slip down over your nose, don’t fog up when you go from a cold area to a warm one, and many people prefer the glassless look. However, they can wear you out, especially when you are reading.

The downside is that contact lenses can sometimes make your eyes feel a little more fatigued, especially after reading a lot or looking at a screen for an extended period of time. And reading is an essential part of life. We read for entertainment, to get information, and we read for our jobs. You really can’t get away from it.

Fortunately, there’s technology that can take your eyes off the page but still give you the satisfaction of reading. It is called text-to-speech, or TTS. You can listen to just about anything and you can save your eyes in the process.

Common problems with contact lenses

It is not uncommon for contact lens wearers to experience some issues with their contacts at some point. Some are typically simple resolutions, but others are more serious.

Itchiness and burning

Occurs after wearing contacts for just a little while and often indicates an allergy to the lens solution or even the contact lens material.

Grittiness

Something is stuck between the eye and the contact, causing it to feel gritty. This can usually be resolved by removing the contact and cleaning it well with a contact solution, as well as flushing the eye with water. In some cases, grittiness can be caused by an eye condition such as allergies or dry eye.

Blurred vision

This usually happens when contacts are not properly cleaned, if they are damaged, or if they are worn longer than they are supposed to be worn, which can lead to corneal hypoxia and requires medical attention.

Red eyes

Dust, dirt, smoke particles, and pollen are all irritants that can build up on contact lenses and cause irritation to eyes. They will redden and may feel itchy or burn.

Dry eye

Contacts can cause dry eye by interfering with the natural hydration process of the eye. It can actually turn into a chronic dry eye condition if not addressed. Your eye doctor can recommend solutions.

Difficult to insert or remove

There are any number of reasons that contacts can be hard to insert or remove. If you find that it is hard to put in or take out your contacts, talk to your eye doctor.

Corneal hypoxia

This happens when there is not adequate oxygen flow to the cornea. It is actually the most common complication associated with wearing contact lenses and it is often due to overwear. This is a serious issue and requires medical attention.

Any of these complications can make reading with contacts very difficult and uncomfortable. While contact lens wear should be comfortable, extended screen time can make the discomfort worse – or cause it due to reduced blinking that is common with using device screens.

In these cases, text-to-speech technology is a great help and makes reading so much easier.

Tips for reading with contacts

There are some things you can do to make reading with contacts a little easier. First and foremost, ensuring that you are wearing the correct contacts is essential. The wrong prescription can cause distorted or blurred vision, which can put undue strain on your eyes.

As you read, make sure that you take regular breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is a good one. You should also make sure that your reading material is at eye level. Awkward angles where you can shift your eyes up or down can cause eye strain.

And don’t forget to blink. Looking at digital device screens can cause you to blink less – a lot less. This leads to dry eye and can cause irritation, making reading less productive and a lot less fun.

Text-to-speech is a great solution because it gives your eyes a break. Contact wearers love TTS because they can rest their eyes and listen instead. This reduces irritation and dryness as well as lowers the risk of eye strain.

What’s more, you can listen faster and get more done, which boosts your productivity. TTS is a great tool for contact lens wearers – or for people who just want to be a little kinder to their eyes.

You can try Speechify’s TTS technology for yourself by visiting our website. Check out our free trial and see what a difference text-to-speech can make for you.

FAQ

Are contact lenses OK for reading?

Many people can read with contact lenses, but there are some who still need reading glasses. This doesn’t mean that contact lenses aren’t still a great option for them, it just means that they need a little help to do the job you want them to do.

Is it better to read with glasses or contacts?

Both glasses and contacts are good for reading, but there is not a universal “best option.” Instead, you need to find which one works best for you. The truth is many older people wear both contacts and reading glasses to improve their vision correction and see either close up or far away. This doesn’t mean that younger people don’t do it as well. There are no hard, fast rules about these two options for vision correction – or about combining them.

What types of problems may occur with contacts?

Wearing contacts can cause you to experience dry eye and you may find you get eye strain or eye fatigue faster. Wearing contacts can increase your risk of several serious eye conditions such as corneal ulcers and eye infections – especially if you don’t take proper care of your contacts, remove them when sleeping, clean them after wearing, and change them as directed. Some conditions associated with contacts can be serious. In some cases, it can lead to blindness, but that is very rare.

What is the most common complication of contact lens wear?

There are a number of common complications that can occur from wearing contact lenses. Corneal abrasions are probably the most common and are a scratch on the cornea’s surface. This can happen when a contact fits poorly, when foreign material gets trapped under the contact, even when putting them in or taking them out. It can also happen with overwear. If not treated, it can lead to an infection.

Allergic reactions are also common. The eye becomes irritated and red, and the culprit is typically the cleaning solution or the storage solution. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a similar condition that causes itching and redness as well as lens intolerance. Corneal ulcer is another similar complication that can be quite serious.

The most serious potential complication from wearing contact lenses is microbial keratitis. The risk for this condition depends on the type of contacts, how often they are used, and contact lens hygiene.

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