Contact Lens Types

Eye Care & Surgery Center NJ Bladeless LASIK Laser Cataract Surgeon Blog

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Types of Contact Lenses: Which One is Right for Me?

Contact lenses have advanced tremendously in the last decade. As a result, there are several options available to consumers. When choosing an appropriate contact lens, several factors are taken into consideration. These factors include lifestyle, expense and the type of vision correction needed. Contact lenses can be worn by people of varying ages.

There are two main types of contact lenses; rigid gas permeable contact lenses and soft contact lenses. There are subsets of each type of lens to correct refractive errors such as Toric contact lenses for the correction of Astigmatism, Bifocal lenses, and Multifocal contact lenses.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are made of a more rigid material and are subsequently more durable than soft contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are often used for people with corneal irregularities.

Soft contact lenses are the most popular type of contact lens. The majority of soft contact lenses are disposable meaning they can be thrown away after a short period time. Disposable contact lenses can be replaced daily, bi-weekly, monthly or every three months. The main advantage of disposable contact lenses is that they decrease the risk of infection because there is less likelihood of protein build up.

Toric (Astigmatic) contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea has a curvature that resembles a football rather than a basketball. Toric contact lenses are available in soft and rigid gas permeable materials.

Bifocal contact lenses are designed to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is the change in the natural lens of the eye that generally affects people in their early 40s. Bifocal contact lenses correct distance and near prescriptions simultaneously.

Multifocal contact lenses have multiple focal points that may assist in enlarging the range of vision to include some mid-range vision as well.

In conclusion, regardless of the type of contact lenses a patient wears, proper hygiene is essential in the maintenance of contact lenses to prevent infections and to obtain optimal vision. Individuals interested in contact lenses should consult an eye care professional.

Thank you to our Guest Blogger Hanifah Haamid, lead contact lens technician and A-Scan Specialist. Hanifah also has a YouTube Video on the Top 5 Contact Lens Questions.