Ready For Contact Lenses? These Are The Types You Can Choose From
If you're thinking about getting contact lenses for the first time, you may be overwhelmed by all the choices available. You can choose from hard, soft, extended wear, and disposable varieties. Each has its own advantages. Here's how to tell which type is best for you.
Hard Lenses
Hard, or rigid, contact lenses might be the best choice if you have more serious vision problems, because softer lenses may not be able to correct your vision as well. Another advantage of hard lenses is they allow more oxygen to get through to your cornea. That's why they are also called RGP, or rigid gas permeable lenses. Increased oxygenation helps keep your cornea healthy and prevents problems with infection. The big drawback to hard lenses is they are more uncomfortable to wear, and they take longer to get used to. To maintain your comfort level, it's best to wear them every day. So, if you want to wear contacts occasionally, hard lenses may not be the best choice.
Soft Lenses
Soft lenses tend to be the most popular choice because they are more comfortable to wear and they are less likely to slip out of place. However, because they are made of softer material, they are easier to rip or damage when you handle them. These are a good choice if you only want to wear contacts on special occasions, since they don't feel so awkward when you first put them in. They are also good if you want to wear contacts when playing sports or engaging in other physical activity, because they are less likely to become dislodged. These lenses do not allow much air to pass through them, so they should be removed every night to allow your eyes to get plenty of oxygen.
Extended Wear Contacts
There are different kinds of extended wear contacts available. Some can be left in place for a few days, while others can be worn for a few weeks. These are soft lenses too, but they are made with materials that allow more oxygen to get to your cornea, so they are safer to leave in for long periods than traditional soft lenses. If you want to wear contacts, but hate putting them in and taking them out, then the extended wear variety may be a good choice for you.
Disposable Contact Lenses
One potential problem associated with wearing contact lenses is the risk of eye infections due to poor cleaning or unsanitary cleaning solutions. Sometimes you can clean your lenses properly, but still have problems wearing contacts because the cleaning solution irritates your eyes. Disposable lenses eliminate these problems. You don't have to clean them at all. When it's time to take them out, you simply throw them away. The disadvantage is these lenses cost more, but the cost may be worth it if you want to avoid having to clean your lenses.
The type of lens you choose ultimately depends on your lifestyle and budget. Your degree of vision correction could possibly be a deciding factor too, so you'll need to discuss all your options with your eye doctor first. You may even need to try a few different types of lenses until you find ones that feel most comfortable in your eyes. Make an appointment at an eye clinic like Mid-America Vision Center to have your vision tested and to choose the type of contacts that will work best for you.
Share