A contact lens is a kind of therapeutic lens positioned on the eye lens for correcting the vision of the patient. It is a replacement to the age-old spectacles. Contact lenses usually serve the same purpose as the glasses or spectacles do. The major difference is the comfort level between the two. Contact lenses are very light in weight and are almost invisible when dipped in the solution specially made for them. Many of the commercial lenses have a faint blue color so that they are visible when put in solution. Contact lenses also come in various colors, which can change the color of your eye.

According to a study, it has been found that a staggering 130 million people use contact lenses all over the world. Out of this, around, 40 million people who suffer from less vision opt for contact lenses in United States alone. There are many reasons why so many of us have opted for the contact lenses. It gives them more comfort than those glasses, which are always there with you where ever you go! Apart from convenience, contact lenses give a better vision and have a wider field. They are less affected by wet weather, do not steam up and require less care than the glasses.

The material of the contact lenses has changed from time to time and has developed a shape for giving more of comfort to the eye. The first contact lenses were made from glass, which caused eye irritation, and so were not able to be worn for longer periods and were a failure. However, a transition came up when a doctor by the name of Dr. William Fein bloom made lenses out of a plastic material called polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA. This material was far much more easy and comfortable for use. These are the hard types of contact lenses as they are referred to today.

These rigid lenses prevailed for more than 150 years among the consumers but never became as popular as the new soft contact lenses. The recent development in the field of contact lenses or the hydro gel lenses in the year 1960's was a major breakthrough. The polymers from which soft lenses are made have definitely improved in quality. It has been made permeable to oxygen content providing more breathing space to eye muscle and thus more comfort.

One should take care of the contact lenses he is using. Proper washing of the lenses by the medicated solution every night is very important for the long life of the lenses.