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. In this blog post we’ll explain more about different kinds of contacts, with their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Materials

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), and 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.

Still Have Questions?

We know that choosing contact lenses can be an intimidating task. But don’t worry! We know a lot about this subject and we’re confident in our ability to help you get the option that will work best for your needs. We’ll be happy to talk with you about any questions you have. Make an appointment today!