Types of Contact Lenses
Whether you’re looking for lenses to correct your vision, reduce the signs of aging, or enhance your appearance, there are several different types of contact lenses available. They come in a wide range of materials and strengths, and many offer extended wear and disposable features.
Soft
Using soft contact lenses can help you improve your vision. These lenses are generally used for nearsightedness or blurred vision. They are also used to correct astigmatism. You should consult with your eye care provider to determine which lenses are best suited for you.
You should also clean your lenses daily. This is important for your eyes to maintain visual clarity. You can also wear drops to hydrate your lenses. However, you should avoid putting your lenses in your mouth. This is because the bacteria found in your saliva can irritate your eyes.
You may also wear a lubricant to keep your lenses from sticking together. This is important because you can wear these lenses for several days. If you notice that your lenses are not comfortable, you can also report the problem to your customer service representative.
If you have a hard contact lens, you will need to get used to wearing it. This can take a while. However, it is more comfortable than wearing soft lenses. They also offer better eye health because oxygen can pass through them.
If you wear your soft contacts overnight, you may have more eye dryness. However, this is less likely to happen with hard lenses. You should also keep the lenses disinfected and hydrated to avoid infection. Soft lenses can be re-worn for several days, but you should always follow your eye care provider’s instructions.
Hybrid contact lenses combine the comfort of soft lenses with the strength of hard contacts. These lenses can last for up to six months. Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid area in the center of the lens and a soft skirt around the rigid zone.
Rigid
Compared to soft lenses, rigid contact lenses are more durable and provide better vision. They also have a longer lifespan. However, they are not as popular as soft lenses. They require more care and maintenance. They also may cause complications. There are many factors to consider when choosing a type of contact lens.
First, you need to determine your eye shape. You may need a rigid lens to correct astigmatism or irregularities on the front of your eye. You should also consider whether you want to wear rigid gas-permeable lenses or soft lenses. Rigid gas permeable lenses have been shown to work well for irregularly shaped eyes. They may also slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Rigid lenses are designed to be less sensitive to cleaning solutions. They also have less elasticity and may not break easily. They do not absorb as much calcium, protein, or bacteria as soft lenses. Soft lenses are also more comfortable in the beginning. They also do not absorb chemicals like rigid contact lenses. They are also less likely to irritate the eye when blinking.
The thickness of the contact lens is also a factor in comfort. Thinner rigid lenses may be more comfortable initially, but they are more likely to break or warp. Thinner lenses also require more care. You may also have more problems with eye infections, such as corneal ulcers. You may also have to wear the lenses for longer periods.
Another factor to consider is the patient’s emotional maturity. If the patient is not ready to wear contact lenses, it may not be the best choice. You also need to consider the patient’s previous experience with contact lenses.
Disposable
Whether you are looking for a new pair of lenses or you are just thinking about using them, there are several things to consider before you decide on disposable contact lenses. You may want to consult an eye doctor or your health care provider to help you decide on a style that is right for you.
One thing to consider is the length of time you will need to wear the contacts. This is based on the brand of contacts you use and your prescription. Some of the most durable contact lenses are designed to last for one month.
You may need to buy a few pairs of disposable contact lenses each year. They may be more expensive than monthly replacement lenses, but their health benefits may be worth the extra cost.
One of the main benefits of disposable lenses is their ease of care. This means they are less likely to build up bacteria or pollen and you won’t need to keep solution bottles on hand.
However, you should still have your contact lenses fitted by an eye doctor or health care provider. You should never wear contacts without having an eye exam and checking your eyes for vision problems.
You can also check out Bausch & Lomb’s recycling program. The company’s contacts are manufactured using Reverse Process III technology. These contacts are made from Polymacon and are thinner than daily wear soft lenses.
You can also send your contact lenses to TerraCycle for recycling. There are drop-off locations throughout the United States. You can recycle the contact lens box as you would any other container.
Some people are concerned about the environmental impact of using disposable products. However, the correct disposal methods have a minimal effect on the environment.
Extended wear
Choosing an extended-wear contact lens is an important decision. You should choose a lens based on your eye doctor’s assessment of your eye health and the lens type you need. Using extended-wear contact lenses can be a convenient and comfortable way to maintain your vision.
Extended-wear contact lenses are also designed to provide continuous vision correction. They can be worn at night and during the day. However, you should always wear a clean lens to prevent the risk of infection.
Extended-wear contact lenses are generally made of silicone hydrogel. They have been found to provide six times more oxygen to the eye than regular disposable contact lenses. This may be important for people who have high refractive errors.
Extended-wear contact lenses are also made from materials that are less likely to trap microbes and debris that can cause infections. These materials are also less likely to cause inflammation of the cornea.
In addition, extended-wear contact lenses may help you correct binocular abnormalities. This is especially useful for people who work shifts or have an unpredictable lifestyle. They can also be beneficial for emergency workers.
Extended-wear contact lenses may also be beneficial for people who are active outdoors. This is especially true for firefighters, military personnel, and people who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Although there are many benefits to extended-wear contact lenses, you should always weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the lens types you are considering. Your eye care provider can also provide additional information about the pros and cons of contact lenses.
You can find many different brands of extended-wear contact lenses on the Internet. Some of these lenses are designed to be worn overnight, while others are designed for continuous wear.
Infections
Among the most common causes of eye infections with contact lenses are not cleaning them properly, wearing the same pair for a long period of time, and sleeping with them. Young adults are also at risk for these infections.
Infections with contact lenses can be very serious. They can cause permanent damage to the cornea and even result in blindness. They can also cause distortion of vision. Aside from this, they can also cause pain and discomfort.
Waterborne bacteria can attach to the contact lens and cause an infection. This is why it is important to always use the recommended solution to clean your contact lenses. Never use tap water to clean them. Instead, you should use a multi-purpose solution.
Various studies have found that people with diabetes may have a higher risk of eye infections. Diabetics may have structural changes to their corneas and altered tear secretion. They may also be at higher risk for blepharitis. Blepharitis can cause a number of symptoms, including burning, stinging, itching, and red eyes.
Contact lens-induced microbial keratitis is a serious eye infection that can last for years. It is caused by a microorganism called acanthamoeba, which feeds on the cornea. It can also be transmitted by tap water.
Several studies have also found that people who wear contacts during water activities are at higher risk for infections. These people have increased epithelial fragility, which may lead to microbial keratitis.
If you plan to participate in water sports, you should always wear your prescription goggles. They can be obtained from your optician. Prescription goggles are also a good choice when you are swimming in a public pool.
Health Sources:
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
