Contact lenses are used by millions of people, who prefer their convenience and comfort to wearing glasses. A large segment of this population also prefers disposable contact lenses, as these are more comfortable to wear and easier to keep clean. A major convenience for contact lens wearers is the ability to have them delivered by mail, ensuring regular optical supplies without having to make trips to the drugstore. Contact lens distributors help to ensure that these supplies flow smoothly without interruption.
The demand for contact lenses
As many as 14 million people in the U.S. over the age of 12 years and older suffer from some form of visual impairment. This is defined as distance visual acuity of less than 20/50. And over 11 million of them can potentially improve their vision to 20/40 with refractive correction using aids like spectacles or contact lenses.
People prefer contact lenses to spectacles for a number of reasons. For conditions like astigmatism, hypermetropia and myopia, contact lenses are preferable to spectacles, because they are more effective in correcting the problems.
Contact lenses are also more practical, since they don’t fog over like glasses, and don’t require any special lenses for protection from sunlight. They can just be worn with regular sunglasses. Contact lenses also offer better peripheral vision than glasses, making them a better choice for sports.
Types of contact lenses
Contact lens manufacturers classify them according to length of use. This can vary from single-use disposable lenses to ten-year hard lenses. Disposables are flexible, lighter and softer, making them more comfortable to wear. Single use lenses also reduce the risk of allergens or germs accumulating on the surface of the lenses, and reduce the need for cleaning and disinfecting the lenses.
Given the importance of lenses for everyday activities, users must make sure that they have an adequate supply at hand, as well as a reliable source of supplies. Optical supply stores offer regular shipping of contact lenses to help ensure that users never run out.
A regular supply of disposables
Due to the increased demand, contact lens supplies are an expanding segment of drug delivery-related products. The market for delivery of disposable medical supplies, is expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2018. Contact lens distributors make up an important part of this market.
This increase is due to the increase in patients as the population ages, as well as the expanded access to medical care due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. North America alone accounts for about 40% of the total global pharmaceutical revenues, which amount to about one trillion dollars.
Optical suppliers play an important role in helping a large segment of the population in maintaining their day-to-day lives and activities. By delivering a regular supply of contact lenses and related supplies to your door, contact lens distributors make sure you’re ready to face the day, whatever it brings.