TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES

Millions of people wear contact lenses. For many people, contacts are better than glasses for correcting refractive vision problems. Though generally comfortable and safe, contacts are not for everyone. Contact lenses cannot correct all problems.

There are more options today for choosing contacts than ever before. Rigid and soft options are available for extended wear, disposable wear, planned replacement, bifocal, and toric lenses.

Rigid gas permeable lenses have replaced the standard hard lenses. They are made of slightly flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the eyes. Vision is excellent and they are very comfortable to wear. Rigid gas permeable lenses take less time for the eye to get use to then other types of contacts. They are the easiest to care for, are durable, and are a low risk for causing infections. They are available in bifocals and in tints to help with placement in the correct eye.

Daily wear soft lenses also made from a softer more flexible plastic are larger in size and easier to adjust to than rigid gas permeable lenses. These are hard to dislodge which makes them good for sports. Replacement is needed once a year. These come in bifocals and colored tints for changing the eye color.

Extended wear lenses are worn up to 7 days without cleaning or removal. There is an increased risk for infection when wearing these lenses. Replacement is needed once a year and they are available in rigid gas permeable or soft lenses.

Disposable soft lenses may be worn up to 14 days when removed every night. Deposit buildup is minimal.

Planned replacement soft lenses are replaced every 2 weeks, monthly, or quarterly. Vision is not as sharp with these as with rigid gas permeable lenses.

Bifocal lenses provide several vision choices. Monovision (one lens for distance, one for near) is the simplest one and is available in rigid gas permeable or soft lenses.

Toric lenses correct astigmatism problems and are available in rigid gas permeable or soft lenses. Toric lenses have two powers in them, one for seeing far away and one for seeing up close. There is also a weight in the material used to keep the contact lens stable on the eye when you blink, look up, down, or side to side.

No matter how good the fit, at times it can be difficult to wear contact lenses. Your eyes can become uncomfortable in very dry weather, around tobacco smoke, aerosol sprays, or other allergens. Some women have eye discomfort during pregnancy, menstruation, or when taking birth control pills.

Only optometrists and ophthalmologists prescribe, fit and sell contact lenses. Opticians are only permitted to fit and sell them. Follow up visits are a necessary part of routine eye care. Be sure the contact lenses you select suit your vision, your eyes, and your lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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