Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses, as some people find them convenient and easy to wear. Lenses can help with astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. There are also multifocal lenses to help with vision problems that come with age. Here are some of the types of contacts you can choose from that meet your needs:
Gas Permeable Lenses
These are also referred to as rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP). They are made of a firm material with silicone compounds that let oxygen pass through and keep your eyes healthy. RGP lenses provide vision correction, shouldn’t dry out or change in shape, and are customizable to match the shape of your eyes. The lenses move on your eyes with each blink, creating room for tears circulation.
Gas permeable lenses feature a smooth surface that does not absorb water, which reduces the risk of bacteria buildup and eye infections. The contacts are easy to clean, making them potentially safe and healthy to wear. This type of lens may slow down nearsightedness and help with astigmatism. Due to their rigid nature, you may need a few weeks to get used to wearing these lenses.
Multifocal Lenses
As you age, your natural eye lenses may lose their elasticity, causing a reduction in close-up vision. This condition is called Presbyopia and could cause you to hold your phone or a book far away when reading. While your doctor may recommend eyedrops or surgery depending on the severity, multifocal contact lenses also help correct this problem. Multifocal lenses feature several prescriptions, each designed to rectify vision at different distances. When you look down on your phone, tablet, or book, the bottom of the lens helps you see at a close range. When you look up, the top of the lens helps you see things from a distance, such as television and street signs.
Scleral Lenses
These lenses are similar to gas permeable, but they extend over the cornea to cover the white part of your eye, known as sclera. Scleral contacts are firm and hold their shape, and since they arch over the cornea, the lenses create a small tear reservoir to hydrate and lubricate your eyes. This feature can help people with sensitive eyes or those with abnormally shaped corneas, which causes astigmatism and keratoconus. You may use scleral lenses after undergoing LASIK surgery to correct any refractive problems.
Permanent Lenses
These are a type of phakic intraocular lenses made of clear plastic. They are implantable lenses designed to sit inside the eye, unlike disposable ones that sit over the eye surface. Permanent lenses are an option for people who don’t want to use glasses and are not fitting candidates for laser eye surgery. Lenses like this are often effective for treating astigmatism and other high prescriptions. Although the lenses are permanent, they are still removable.
Consult An Optometrist for Contacts
If you want to try using contacts, consult a reputable optometrist first. The provider will examine your eyes to identify vision deficiencies, and the results will determine if you are an eligible candidate to wear lenses. Your optometrist will also advise you on the ideal type to correct your eye vision while considering other factors like eye sensitivity. Reach out to an optometrist today to learn more about contacts.
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