Haywards Heath opticians hoping to open people’s eyes to the benefits of contact lenses

The optician’s research shows that around two thirds of people believe whatever they’re told, including one in ten of us believing contact lenses can get stuck behind our eyeballs.

The OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care to coincide with Contact Lens Awareness Month this month, looked at the top 30 myths we believe to be true but aren’t.

Chameleons change colours to blend in with their surroundings topped the list, closely followed by most of your body heat escapes through your head, and that contact lenses can freeze to your eye in cold weather.

Rachel East, manager for the South Road branch, said: “If enough people tell us the same thing, we’re inclined to believe it­—even if it’s not entirely true.

“We find that many customers who would benefit from trying contact lenses due to their busy lifestyle or hobbies, such as sport, are reluctant to do so due to concerns based on myth not fact.

“We hope that our Contact Lens Awareness Month, which includes a free assessment, will help allay some of those misconceptions and make people more contact lens confident and see life through a different lens.”

When asked, 46 per cent of those surveyed are put off wearing contact lenses because they incorrectly think they are going to be too fiddly, but for those who do use contacts 55 per cent believe the biggest benefit is convenience.

Almost half also prefer how they look, and 26 per cent cited playing sport as more enjoyable.

Rachel said: “There are some real benefits of trying contact lenses, which people tend to dismiss, including giving you greater and more natural field of vision as they move with your eye.

“Today’s lenses are suitable for people of all ages, you are never too young or too old, and they are so soft and comfortable to wear for long periods of time and easy to look after,” added Rachel.

As part of Contact Lens Awareness Month, Scrivens has also produced a ‘Myth Busting’ guide on its website, www.scrivens.com/contact-lenses/contact-lens-myth-busting/