How to Find the Right Contact Lenses for Me
Considering you only have two eyes, you want to do everything possible to protect them. That includes visiting a reputable eye care professional. Some people have their eyes checked for conditions like dry eyes, cataracts, and glaucoma, or they go through laser surgery to improve their vision. But others simply want to see better by using contact lenses. The challenge for contact lenses is that you have several good options, which can make the selection process confusing.
A Brief History
Although contacts made of glass were first introduced in 1887, it wasn’t until 1948 when all-plastic lenses came out. Commonly referred to as “hard lenses,” they were non-porous. Then in 1979, companies began to manufacture rigid gas-permeable contacts.
From that time forward, other changes have occurred. That includes the introduction of extended wear, disposable, daily disposable, silicone hydrogel, overnight orthokeratology, and custom-manufactured lenses.
While some of these have gone out of style due to advances in materials and technology, people still have several viable options. The two most popular are soft and rigid gas permeable contacts.
It never hurts to conduct research. By educating yourself, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of the different types of lenses currently available.
Soft Contacts
Made of plastic combined with water, these contact lenses allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea’s lens. For that reason, they’re the most comfortable. Typically, these contacts are disposable, so you don’t have to mess with daily cleaning. Soft contacts offer UV protection, they’re available in many different colors, and bifocal vision is achievable.
Along with the positives are a few negatives, though. For instance, soft contacts can absorb chemicals, bacteria, mold, and particles that can irritate the eyes. These contact lenses are also relatively fragile, meaning you need to be careful when handling them to avoid tears or rips.
Rigid Gas Permeable Contacts
Made of silicone, these contacts have some flexibility, but not quite as much as soft lenses do. Overall, they are durable, easy to care for, and they can correct challenging cases of astigmatism. These also come in different colors and are available as bifocals. The only real drawback is that it usually takes wearers a little more time to adjust to them than it does with soft lenses.
Orthokeratology
Sometimes, for an expert to improve vision, a patient needs to have their cornea reshaped. In this case, there’s a special type of contact lens that accomplishes that goal. But the improvement in vision only occurs when the individual has the contacts in. For that reason, most people opt for laser surgery instead, which provides permanent improvement.
Trusted Eyecare Professionals
If you’re interested in contacts, we can help. At Maple Eye and Laser Center in White Plains, and Manhattan, New York, we have a comprehensive list of services. Along with contacts, we provide laser vision correction, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of various eye conditions. Call us today at 914-948-5157 to schedule a consultation.
