Contact lenses come in all sorts of sizes and powers so that there is
probably a lens out there for anyone who is a candidate for contact lens
wear.
Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses come in a variety of forms. They can be worn on a
daily basis where they are taken out every night and cleaned. Some
contact lenses can be worn overnight for a specific number of nights.
They can be ordered as disposable or planned replacement lenses that are
replaced on a set schedule. That replacement schedule is determined by
a patient's eye health and lifestyle. Contact lenses also can be
ordered in conventional form, meaning one pair of lenses lasts six to twelve
months. Talking with your eye care professional is the best way to
decide which contact lens is right for you.
Disposable Contact Lenses
Disposable contact lenses can be replaced every day, every week or every
two weeks. Planned replacement contact lenses are replaced every month
to every three months. Each type of lens has its own benefits.
For example, a person who suffers from seasonal allergies might benefit from
a contact lens that is replaced on a daily basis.
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
There are contact lenses that can correct for a person's
astigmatism. Astigmatism is a result of an irregularly or elongated
shipped cornea, like a football. This can cause blurred vision.
Nearly two-thirds of the population has some degree of astigmatism. In
the past, only rigid gas permeable lenses or hard contact lenses corrected
for astigmatism. Now there is also the option of soft toric lenses
that can provide good vision for people with astigmatism.
Bifocal Contact Lenses
There are also contact lenses for the person who needs a bifocal to
correct both distance and near vision. The success of these lenses
depends on the person's distance or near vision needs. Disposable
contact lenses offer a person the chance to try this type of lens to see if
it works for them in their day to day activities.
Colored Contact Lenses
Contact lenses also come in a variety of colors. They can highlight
a person's natural color or change the color of the eye. Some patients
wear colored lenses for special occasions, wearing clear contact lenses the
rest of the time.
Contact lenses can be for people of all ages. They are great for
sports and outdoor activities. They can even help a person's
self-esteem by changing one's physical appearance by switching from glasses
to contact lenses.
Contact lens wear should be taken seriously. Improper use of
contact lenses can lead to problem like infections or corneal ulcers.
An example would be to wear a daily wear contact lens overnight.
Maintaining the proper wearing and cleaning schedule is important to good
eye health. It is also important to follow your eye care
professional's recommendation for exams and follow-up. A contact lens
prescription can not be renewed without yearly examinations to evaluate eye
health, contact lens prescription and fit. Please discuss these issues
with your eye care provider to ensure many years of successful contact lens
wear.
