It is important to look after your eyesight and one of the ways to do so is by wearing contact lenses. There are different types of contact lenses available in the market; you must know about them before purchasing them.
Contact lenses move with your eye and they help in correcting vision. Daily wear lenses are meant to be worn for a maximum of eight hours a day and should be removed before bed. On the other hand, extended-wear lenses can be worn for up to 30 days continuously. To know more about contact lenses, you can visit https://www.contactlenses.co.uk.
Here are the different types of contact lenses that you must know about:
1. Soft Contact Lenses
These lenses are made from a gel-like material that contains water. The greatest advantage of soft contact lenses is that they are permeable to oxygen, and hence they allow the cornea to remain healthy. The cornea is not rich in blood vessels, so it has to get maximum oxygen from the atmosphere.
However, as lenses cover the corneal surface, they may cause discomfort to the eye if the lens is not sufficiently permeable to oxygen. If the cornea gets an inadequate supply of oxygen, it can cause corneal swelling, which in turn can cause corneal clouding.
Moreover, soft contact lenses do not cause light flares at night. A light flare means that a strong source of light appears diffused in the edges. The problem of night flares affects people while they are crossing a road at night, and they have to face car headlights. Night flares happen because the surface of the contact lens causes the light to diffract. The diffraction resulted in a blurred image in case of intense light sources.
Soft contact lenses are available in different types, such as daily wear, extended wear, disposable, and custom-made. Soft lenses are difficult to clean, and since there is a fear that they might get torn, most people are not meticulous while cleaning the soft lenses. Thus, these lenses are the cause of eye infections in many cases. But if comfort, corneal health, and clear vision are your priority, soft lenses are a good choice.
Pros: Soft contact lenses are comfortable to wear and don’t dry out your eyes. They avoid flares at night, and they are good for the cornea.
Cons: They need to be cleaned regularly and can be easily damaged.
2. Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses
These lenses are made from a hard plastic material that allows oxygen to pass through them. They provide clearer vision than soft contact lenses and can be worn for a longer period of time. They last for around two years, and if you do not face any trouble while wearing them or while seeing objects, then you need not change them anytime before six months. These contact lenses are hard; hence they do not get torn easily. They are the best treatment option for those individuals who suffer from an irregular cornea.
However, the biggest problem with these lenses is that a person takes a long time to adjust to them. Since they are made up of a hard material, they may irritate the eye. Most people feel that there is a foreign object in their eye, and it is natural that people want to remove any foreign object that enters their eye.
Pros: RGP contact lenses are durable and provide clearer vision.
Cons: They take some time to get used to and can be uncomfortable at first.
3. Extended Wear Contact Lenses
These lenses can be worn for up to 30 days continuously. They are made from a soft material that allows oxygen to pass through them. These lenses are great for those individuals who do not like touching their eyes often. Again, they are useful if you are one of those who want to wake up in the morning with a clear vision.
Extended-wear contact lenses are available in different types, such as daily wear and disposable.
Pros: Extended-wear contact lenses are convenient and don’t need to be removed every night.
Cons: They can cause dryness and irritation if not used properly.
4. Disposable (Replacement Schedule) Contact Lenses
These lenses are meant to be worn for a specific time and thrown away. They are gaining a lot of popularity because many people consider them more hygienic and convenient. If you throw the lens away after a single use, you do not have to worry about cleaning them or be worried about tearing them. They are great for busy people who do not have the time to clean their contact lenses every single day.They are available in different types, such as daily wear, extended wear, and disposable.
Pros: Disposable contact lenses are convenient and don’t need to be cleaned regularly.
Cons: They can be more expensive than other types of contact lenses.
Specialized Uses of Contact Lenses
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
To help you see properly during the day, this particular type of contact lens is intended to reshape the cornea while you sleep. Ortho-K lenses are not meant for people with severe vision problems. Ortho-K lenses can correct mild to moderate myopia and astigmatism. They are safe and effective but need to be worn every night. Thus these lenses correct the corneal shape at night, and they are removed during the day. Many people can have improved vision during the day, but the effect may fade out with time.
Decorative (Plano) Contact Lenses
These lenses are worn to change the appearance of your eyes. They don’t correct vision but can be used to enhance your appearance. Decorative contact lenses are available in different colors and styles. They should be purchased from a reputable source and used according to the instructions given by the manufacturer. However, a colored lens might not give you the desired appearance that you might be looking for. And at times, tinted lenses can result in blurred vision.
There are many other types of contact lenses available in the market. You can consult your eye doctor to know which type of contact lens is right for you.