Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses

Since people of all ages enjoy very active lifestyles, it is not surprising that more and more people choose contact lenses instead of glasses for their vision correction. Some advantages of contact lenses include better peripheral vision and less visual distortion compared to eyeglasses.

Two basic types of contact lenses are rigid gas permeable (RGP) and soft lenses. RGP lenses are made of harder plastic, while soft lenses are made of more pliable plastic. For this reason, soft lenses are generally more comfortable than RGP lenses. RGP lenses, however, are more durable and may provide better clarity of vision compared to soft lenses. Most contact lens wearers in the United States are soft contact lens wearers.

There are different types of soft contact lenses, depending upon how often the lenses are discarded. Most people choose disposable soft contact lenses, which are thrown away and replaced on a monthly, biweekly, or daily basis. This modality of wear provides the clearest vision, as well as superior comfort and better ocular health. In addition, maintenance and cleaning of disposable contact lenses is greatly simplified compared to non-disposable lenses, creating greater convenience. A smaller percentage of people choose to wear conventional soft lenses which need to be replaced about once per year. A major disadvantage of this type of lens is the buildup of deposits and film that occurs as the lenses age, making them less comfortable, less oxygen permeable, and less transparent than brand new lenses.

There are both soft and gas permeable contact lenses that are extended wear, meaning they have been FDA approved for continuous overnight wear. In the past, extended wear lenses have been associated with an increased risk of ocular complications and have, therefore, not been recommended. There are, however, newer contact lens materials that provide significant oxygen permeability, which may reduce the risk of these complications

We also offer specialty lenses for keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea develops into a cone shape instead of a round, dome shape.

It’s important for contact lens wearers to adhere to the proper care and use of their contact lenses as directed by their optometrist. An annual eye exam is required in order to ensure the health of your eyes while wearing contact lenses.

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