Contact lenses have been functioning for two purposes: to give clearer vision and aesthetic or fashion, or sometimes, both. There are many colors and designs for you to choose from; sometimes, it even gets a little overwhelming. You can even wear different colors every day if that’s what you like. People often think of you as ‘cool’. On the other hand, contact lenses are also essential for people with vision problems. Instead of wearing eyeglasses, lenses like the Acuvue contact lenses can make your look more put together, and at the same time, let you see clearly.
Contact lenses are thin plastic sheets that are shaped to fit over your cornea. They are very effective in correcting eye problems like near-sightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Make sure that you go to the clinic for regular eye check-ups to keep your eyes healthy. To know which type of contact lenses is the best for you, consult with your ophthalmologist.
Types of Contact Lenses
- Soft Contact Lenses
These contact lenses are made with a combination of water and a special type of plastic. The water acts as a transport system for oxygen to get through the lens to the cornea. As a result, the lenses keep your eyes moist, avoid dryness, and keep them healthy. One example of the best soft and moist contact lenses that you can wear is Acuvue contact lenses.
Moreover, most soft lenses are also disposable. It is ideal if you want to avoid the hassle of constantly cleaning your contact lenses every day. When you use disposable ones, you are ensured that the lenses you use each day are already cleaned and sterilized, reducing eye infection risk. Soft contact lenses are also equipped with UV protection.
The only downside of soft lenses is fragile since they are very thin and can easily tear apart. They can also absorb harmful particles and bacteria that can accumulate and irritate your eyes.
Two types of soft contact lenses:
- Daily disposables: As the name suggests, they are only worn for a day; then, you can already throw them away after one use. As mentioned earlier, you don’t need to clean them constantly.
- Silicone-based materials: This type has more passage for oxygen which makes it very breathable for your eyes. Unlike daily disposables, you can wear silicone-based materials for extended wear, usually up to one month. But of course, you have to remove your contact lenses before you sleep because if you sleep with your contact lenses still on your eyes, the risk of getting eye complications is very high since the eyes have less oxygen when you sleep.
Rigid Gas-Permeable Lenses
Contrary to soft contact lenses, they are more rigid and stiffer. They are also very good in terms of delivering oxygen to your cornea. They are also often made with silicone. Usually, they are more effective in correcting eye problems like astigmatism. You can see more clearly when you use rigid gas-permeable lenses than soft lenses. Since they are rigid, they are not as fragile as soft lenses; they are usually more durable. However, if you look for comfort, soft contact lenses may be the choice for you. It would help if you got used to wearing rigid lenses first.
Conclusion
If you want to start using contact lenses, remember that you have to consult your eye doctor first and ask for their professional recommendation on what to do with your eyes. Contact lenses can be soft or rigid. It depends on you and your doctor to choose which one you should wear. Either way, both still provide the same functions, such as correcting vision problems and being breathable and more convenient than glasses.