Contact Lens Options Explained: From Daily Wear to Specialty Lenses
Before an individual can wear contact lenses, a prescription from an eye care provider is needed. During a routine eye appointment, professionals may discover your vision can be improved by wearing contact lenses. Contacts may be necessary to help with any vision problems. Thankfully, there are several options for wearing contact lenses.
For instance, specialty lenses can be created for those with specific eye problems. For others, it may be necessary to wear contacts daily. The severity of your vision impairment will help experts determine which contact lens type will benefit you the most.
Contact Lens Options
People who require contact lenses should follow their eye doctor's directions. Wearing contacts without a proper fitting or ignoring instructions can lead to eye infections or other complications. An expert eye doctor will narrow down your options. For instance, a doctor will perform an eye exam, test your contact lenses to determine how they fit, and provide important information for caring for your eyes and lenses.
Because each individual can have a unique vision problem, certain contact lenses may not be recommended. Contact lenses include soft or hard lenses, disposable lenses, or daily-use lenses. Soft lenses are the most common, as they are soft, flexible, and cover the colored part of the eye. Hard lenses can be more durable and easier to handle. However, hard contacts require a more rigorous cleaning process compared to soft lenses.
Common Types of Contact Lenses
In addition to soft and hard contact lenses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that the most common types of contact lenses are:
Disposable daily – Contacts that are used once and then thrown away.
Worn daily – Contacts that must be removed each night, rinsed, and stored in a clean solution, never touching water.
Worn for an extended period of time – Contacts designed to last for up to 30 days for overnight wear.
Take care of your lenses by rubbing them with lens solution and rinsing them. Place the contacts in a clean area and dry with a tissue. Common types of contacts are designed to be worn as instructed. An eye doctor can help find the best option for your specific eye care needs. If you are struggling with red eyes, light sensitivity, blurry vision, watery eyes, or eye pain, contact lenses can be useful.
Additional Contact Lens Types
Although many choose between soft and hard contact lens options, others require specific lens types to help reduce vision impairment. Some of the special contact lens types include the following:
Decorative contact lens – enhances or changes eye color
Orthokeratology contact lens – hard lenses worn every night, and typically by nearsighted patients
Hybrid contact lens – combines both soft and hard lenses, offering clear vision
Scleral contact lens – larger lenses resting on the sclera, not the cornea
Whether you require a simple solution, such as soft contacts, or a specific type, such as scleral contacts, there are a variety of options that can improve your vision, allowing you to see more clearly.
Choose Your Lens Option Today
If you are considering switching from glasses to contacts, it's important to find the right contact lens option that best suits your eye care needs. Experts can help determine if you require soft, hard, or speciality contact lenses.
At Aloha Eye, we offer an eye care clinic full of professionals and experts who can answer your questions and provide solutions. Contact us to speak with a member of our team and learn about our various eye care options. In addition to offering eye exams, we can point you in the right direction for lenses or glasses. Visit us today!