Just like no two sets of fingerprints are identical, no two pairs of eyes are exactly alike either. Because of this, there are different types of lenses for different types of eyes. Read below to find out which type of contact lens is right for you.
Hard Lenses
If you are looking for the lowest-cost alternative in prescription contact lenses, you may want to consider PMMA lenses. These were the first contact lenses ever developed, and though they are not the common choice among contact wearers, are still manufactured today. This type of contact lens is known as being rigid and perhaps a bit harsher on the eye. They are made of sturdier material than other types of contact lenses. These lenses are made of PMMA, a type of plastic that is extremely durable. They are not known to be the most comfortable lenses on the market, but are very durable, and easier on the budget than more comfortable options. This is not the best option for people with sensitive or irritable eyes.
Hard Lenses that Breathe
Rigid Gas-permeable contact lenses, also known as are also known as "RGPs" are a somewhat newer version of hard (rigid) lenses made of plastics as well as other materials, including silicone. A key ingredient in this type of lens - fluoropolymers allow oxygen go right through the lens, thus making it 'gas-permeable.' Some of the benefits of RGP's are that they are better at retaining their shape, thus providing a crisper vision; they keep your eyes moist, and they resist dust and debris. This type of prescription contact lens is ideal for:
- Those whose eyes are overly sensitive to bacteria or are prone to infection - Those who are prone to suffering from dry eyes - LASIK surgery candidates - People who participate in sports - Users of bifocal eyeglasses and reading glasses
Soft Lenses
Soft contact lenses are made of thin plastic and water. The water component gives the lenses a soft and bendable consistency. Soft contact lenses also let oxygen through, allowing the eye to breathe. The majority of prescription contact lenses in the U.S. use soft contact lenses. Some of the reasons for this include the fact that they provide greater comfort, are easier than hard lenses to adjust to and can be worn for longer periods of time. Some of the soft lenses on the market include the following.
Extended wear lenses
Extended wear lenses are soft contact lenses made of materials that allow for use during longer periods of time. This type of prescription lens can be worn for 1-4 weeks without removal and cleaning. Though these types of lenses do allow oxygen to pass through and do tend to keep eyes moist, they are likely not the best option for those with sensitivity and irritability issues.
Disposable lenses
Disposable lenses are designed to be worn for a limited time and then discarded. This type of lens is excellent for those with sensitive or irritable eyes. Although they are generally more expensive than other types of lenses, the fact that they are replaced daily by a new pair deems them a very low infection risk.
Wearing contact lenses has been a boon to many as it provides ease and comfort one might not get from wearing typical glasses. Contact lenses are also getting cheaper and more affordable each day with all sorts of colours, patterns and styles attracting consumers especially youngsters. Nevertheless, contact lenses do require some good care to avoid irritation to the eyes and other problems.
Caring for your contact lenses means caring for your eyes. Poor care and hygiene of the lenses might result in further vision problems due to infection to the eyes rather than improving your eyesight which is the intention of this smart innovation.
Putting on a contact lens means putting a foreign object into your body, and unlike glasses, contact lenses stay closely to your eyes and became an internal part of them even for just a while. Therefore, contact lenses should only be worn after being prescribed with help and advice by a fitter which might be an opthalmologist, an optometrist or at least a trained and licensed optician.
Caring for the lenses includes using the right sterile saline solution for lubrication and there's no easy way out for this. Using home made or saline solutions that are not meant for contact lenses might cause very serious irritation and worse, blinding infections as they might not be sterile and compatible for your lenses. The best is to only use solutions recommended by the fitter and seek advice if you need a change. It is also recommended to carry a small bottle of the solution whenever you're out on the go.
Another main issue in wearing contact lenses is extended wear of the lenses. Though there are certain types of lenses that could be worn throughout a period of time; wearing your lenses overnight won't do good to your eyes. This is because wearing the lenses as you sleep will decrease the amount of oxygen supplied to your eyes thus increase the risk of infection four times more than usual.
Wearing the lenses longer than the recommended period might also cause irritation especially to those with sensitive eyes. Therefore, it is always best to abide with the usage conditions and use your lenses only within the intended period and avoid keeping them overnight in your eyes.
These problems could also be avoided by getting the most suitable contact lenses with your lifestyle from the fitter. If you're always busy and on the go, you might want to choose daily disposable lenses that would not need as much care as lenses with longer lifespan. Help and advice should also be available and sought after if you're in doubt or find any problems upon wearing your contact lenses.
Both Amy Nutt & Ahmad Abdullah are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Amy Nutt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Recreation and Sports and Women. Clearly Contacts is an online supplier of all the popular brands of and contact lenses. Offering a wide variety of lenses including. Amy Nutt's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Ahmad Abdullah has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Gift Ideas and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Ahmad writes regularly on several blogs including his blog. If you're looking for tips on finding cheap. Ahmad Abdullah's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.