Types of Contact Lenses
Soft Lenses
Soft contact lenses are more comfortable to most wearers than hard lenses and help keep your eyes better hydrated. Their flexible design helps them stay in place for increased comfort. Soft lenses are available in various types of disposability, including non-disposable, monthly disposable, weekly disposable, or daily disposable.
Rigid Gas Permeable
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses, a type of hard lens, have improved greatly since they were first introduced in the 1970s. This type of lens allows more oxygen flow to your eyes and often provides clearer vision than other types of contacts. Since the lenses are made of a more durable material, they last longer and are less prone to damage than soft lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses may take a couple of weeks to get used to, but there are many advantages once you get comfortable with them.
Daily Disposable
As the name implies, daily disposable contact lenses are designed to be worn for one day only and then thrown away before you go to bed. The biggest advantage of daily disposable contacts is the fact that you don’t need to worry about cleaning your lenses every day. This helps prevent potential infections from buildup on the lenses and you don’t have to worry about remembering when to switch to a fresh pair.
However, daily disposable lenses may not be suitable for certain eye conditions and they can be more expensive than longer wear lenses.
However, daily disposable lenses may not be suitable for certain eye conditions and they can be more expensive than longer wear lenses.
Extended Wear
Extended wear contacts allow wearers to keep their contact lenses in overnight and use the same pair for a week up to a month. These lenses are ideal for people who dislike the hassle of taking contacts in and out. They are also helpful if you want to have clear vision as soon as you wake up without having to fumble with putting in your contacts. However, extended wear contacts do bring an increased risk of eye infections, so it’s important you give your eyes a break at least one night a week and carefully follow the schedule for changing lenses
Toric
Toric contact lenses are specially designed to correct vision for people with astigmatism. Toric lenses are available in several different types as well, meaning that astigmatism doesn’t have to keep you from choosing contact lenses that work for your lifestyle. However, daily disposable lenses may not be suitable for certain eye conditions and they can be more expensive than longer wear lenses.
Contact Lens Care
Although many people find contacts more comfortable and stylish than glasses, there is an increased risk of eye infection associated with contact lenses. It’s important to clean your contacts regularly and to follow the correct schedule for switching to a new pair.
Here are a few tips to help keep your eyes healthy:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contact lenses
- Never use water, saliva, or any other type of liquid to store or clean your lenses.
- Always use fresh contact solution.
- Don’t sleep in your contacts (unless you have extended wear lenses)
- Remove your contacts before showering, swimming, etc. Bacteria in the water can get trapped behind your contact lens and cause infection.
- If your eyes are irritated, don’t wear your contacts. Keep a backup pair of glasses to wear on days when you can’t wear your contacts.
Westside
Family Eyecare
+1 812 423 5000
2417 W Franklin St, Evansville, IN 47712
