Latest innovation in the field of contact lenses manufacturing has allowed many people wear contacts. But not every type and design of contacts fit every one. For those with eyesight problems, quality contacts must aid you to regain good and clear vision. For those who are using cosmetic contact lenses, they must not distort or blur your sight.
Contact lenses differ in size, shape, color and power. With your eye specialist’s help, you would be given the right lens.
The eight types of eye contact lenses are:
1. Soft lenses – all contacts are made out of plastics or polymers. When the plastic allow oxygen to pass through, they are called soft plastics. They are more comfortable for the eyes and many soft contacts have the ability to filter harmful UV rays.
However with the lenses delicate composition, they are not good for prolonged use. They are referred to as disposable contact lenses. After 2-4 weeks, they must be discarded. Frequent contact lens replacement avoids the possibility of infection, bacteria or protein build-up.
Nevertheless, this type of contacts has drawbacks. Its permeability might also absorb unwanted substances in your hands such as soap suds, lotion or other pollutants. Contaminated lenses will irritate your eyes.
2. Hard lenses – This is the opposite of soft lenses. It is non-permeable to oxygen and thus may cause harm to the eyes. This is the reason why its use is discouraged. It is only prescribed for some specialist needs. Some lens manufacturer began to develop rigid gas permeable lenses to replace hard lenses.
3. Rigid gas permeable hard contact lenses or RGP – This type of contacts combined good qualities of hard and soft lenses. It has the durability of hard lenses yet the permeability of soft lenses. It is able to keep its shape and offers a much clearer vision.
4. Daily disposable contact lenses – The name suggests single use. This type of eye contacts offers several health benefits. Hygiene is maintained as fresh contacts are used daily. The wearer is able to know when replacement is due. Dry eye syndrome and irritation to cleaning solutions is avoided.
5. Silicon extended wear disposables – These are contacts develop out of a new material which allows it to be worn for 30 days and 30 nights. The material is resistant to protein build-up and is less likely to cause dry eye irritation.
6. Bifocal contact lenses – This type of lens is great for people with presbyopia. It resembles bifocal eyeglasses as it can correct both farsightedness and nearsightedness. It gives sufferers of presbyopia good vision. It comes in two varieties: soft and RGP lenses.
7. Toric contact lenses – These are corrective contacts for people with astigmatism. It is forged out of the same material used in other contacts. You may choose between soft or RGP. This type of lens has dual powers too. It can control astigmatism and fix myopia or hyperopia whichever is also present.
8. Colored contact lenses – Colored contacts means the lens have tints. The tints serve several purposes: make the lens more visible when handled, enhance the natural eye color or totally change the eye color. Some sportsman or outdoorsman would wear them to improve contrast and see better against strong sunlight.
Other colored contacts have opaque tints that change the look of the eye for theatrical purposes. Wearing these novelty lenses create the illusion of wild eyes or for Halley Berry’s role in “Cat Woman”, she used it to give herself a cat eye effect.
The last factor to consider when buying eye contacts is the price. It is a factor that should influence your decision to a minimal extent. You should not compromise quality for cost. There are a lot of cheap contacts available from your local eye clinic.