At Washington Vision Therapy Center we know that contact lenses can be a great option for those who want want corrective lenses without the hassle of glasses.
Material Options:
Soft – Soft contacts are the most popular type and account for over 80% of contact lenses dispensed. They consist of soft plastic polymers and water. This allows oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the cornea. Most patients report soft contacts as being the most comfortable and affordable.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) – RGP lenses are more rigid, durable, and allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than traditional soft contact lenses. Because of their more rigid nature, they do not change shape when you blink or move your eye, resulting in sharper vision than soft contacts. The biggest disadvantage to RGP lenses is that they are not as immediately comfortable as soft lenses, and may take more time to get used to.
Shape Options:
Spherical – Spherical lenses are designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness).
Toric – Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism (blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea).
Multifocal/Bifocal – Multifocal/Bifocal lenses are designed to allow for clear vision both near and far in the same lense to treat presbyopia.
Monovision – Monovision lenses provide two different lenses for each eye, one designed for far distance vision and the other for near distance or reading. This requires patients to adapt to different eyesight in each eye.
Use Options:
Disposable – Disposable lenses are discarded daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. To avoid protein build-up, which may affect eye health, they should be disposed of as directed based on the type and removed for sleep.
Extended Wear – Extended wear lenses are designed to be worn safely for up to 30 days. They do not need to be removed for sleep, with acknowledgment of potential risks. These lenses require more frequent check-ups and may not be recommended by all doctors.
Other Options:
Opaque – Opaque contact lenses enable patients to change the color and pattern of their iris. They are not available for prescription contacts and are not recommended for daily use.
Enhancers – Enhances, or medium tints, are intended to mildly alter the patient’s eye color without entirely obscuring the natural eye color. These are only effective on light-colored eyes. There is no effect on dark-colored eyes.
Visibility Tinted – Visibility tinted lenses are not designed to change the color of the eye, but are slightly tinted, generally blue, to make the lense more visible in the lens case or should one fall out.
Children and Contacts:
What is the right age to start kids using contact lenses? Of course, it depends on the child. Most professionals recommend starting between the ages of 11 and 14. Starting at a young age can instill children with a sense of independence and novelty. Most children at this age can use daily disposable contact lenses without trouble, and given the opportunity, develop the skills to remove and place contacts with ease for the remainder of their life.
Some patients prefer glasses over contacts, and that’s okay! We provide a wealth of options in both glasses and contact lenses. Feel free to set up a consultation for your child and begin teaching them the importance of eye health today.