Extended wear lenses — Can be worn overnight and left in continuously for up to seven days without removing them. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Optometric Association Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health Go to source In addition, Air Optix Night and Days are FDA approved for up to 30 days overnight wear. Planned replacement lenses — Should not be worn overnight. Must be replaced regularly, usually every two weeks, four weeks, or 12 weeks. Silicone-based lenses — These lenses are highly breathable and prevent deposits from accumulating. This can result in a more comfortable lens with less risk of irritation, especially if you suffer from dry eyes. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Colored soft lenses — These soft lenses are colored with a tint. The tint may be functional (making it easier to find a lost lens) without altering the color of your eye, or it may be cosmetic, giving you a different eye color than your natural color. [4] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
Daily disposable lenses — These lenses will cost more money due to the frequency at which they are disposed of; however, changing your lenses on a daily basis carries the lowest risk of infection. These lenses are a good choice for people with dry eyes or are prone to allergies as deposits and allergens have less time to build up because you have a new lens each day. Two week/monthly disposable lenses — These are slightly less expensive than daily disposables, and still help reduce the risk of infection by using new lenses every few weeks. Some disposable soft lenses can even be replaced every three months, though you should always defer to your optometrist’s advice. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Optometric Association Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health Go to source
It’s important to note that not all soft lenses provide UV protection, though many do. Talk to your optometrist about your options if UV protection is a factor in your decision. Full eye protection is important and UV protection in contacts only protects part of the eye. The rest of the eye should be protected too, so you should still wear sunglasses outdoors even if your contacts provide UV protection.
Soft lenses tend to absorb environmental pollutants more easily than rigid lenses. If you are around smoke or airborne particles on a regular basis, you may want to talk to your optometrist to determine if soft lenses would pose a problem. In addition to environmental pollutants, soft lenses also tend to soak up irritants from your hands, including lotion and hand soap. Washing your hands before handling lenses can reduce this risk, though it will not eliminate the chances of absorption. Because of their soft, porous nature, these contact lenses are much more fragile than rigid lenses. As a result, they may rip or tear more easily (though they are meant to be replaced more frequently).
Sharper vision than soft lenses provide Better visual clarity for some users with astigmatism Preferable for some users with presbyopia who require bifocals or multifocals Better fit and clarity for users with Keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea) Preferable for individuals who need contact lenses after refractive surgery Can be used for ortho-k procedures, in which lenses are worn at night to reshape the cornea
They take longer to get used to and may be less comfortable. They will need to be worn regularly to become comfortable for the user (they can even become uncomfortable after a week of not wearing lenses). There is a greater risk of RGP lenses becoming dislodged during physical activities due to the smaller size of the lenses. There is a higher risk of discomfort or corneal abrasions due to the increased chance of dust/debris getting lodged under the lenses. They require greater care and maintenance than soft lenses; however, they tend to last longer, which may save you money in the long run.
Hybrid lenses can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, age-related loss of close-up vision, and keratoconus. Many users who need rigid lenses find that hybrid contact lenses are much more comfortable and easier to wear.
You will most likely need one or more follow-up exams after receiving your lenses. These are typically scheduled one week after getting your lenses, then either one month or six months after, then on an annual basis.
While soft lenses can be worn comfortably on a part-time or full-time basis, rigid lenses must be worn full time in order to remain comfortable on your eyes.
If you need sharp, near-perfect vision for work, consider talking to an eye care specialist about whether a rigid lens might work best for you.
Because soft lenses are typically replaced on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, there is less risk of irritations or infections caused by build up on the lens. If you don’t mind taking the extra care and maintenance to keep your contacts in good condition, rigid lenses may work fine for you; however, if you are worried about your ability to take care of your lenses (including the risk of losing lenses), you may want to consider a soft lens.
Clean and disinfect your lenses every time you remove them by rinsing and storing your lenses in an approved contact lens solution. To rinse the lens, pour some clean contact solution in the palm of your hand. Use your index finger to gently rub the contact lens around in the solution in your palm. Never reuse contact lens solution. Clean out your lens case on a daily basis and always use fresh contact solution whenever you take out your lenses. Do not use homemade cleaning solutions. You should also avoid using saliva to wet or clean your lenses before use, as this will introduce bacteria to your eyes. Do not use tap water to wash your lenses. Microorganisms can live in distilled water (including the water that comes out of your faucet), and while that water is safe to drink it could be dangerous to trap that water against your eye with a contact lens. [17] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
Clean your lens case every day. Avoid using soap; simply rinse it with hot water and spray it down with contact lens solution. Always allow your lens case to air dry. Leaving your lens case wet all day and every day can promote fungal growth, which can cause infections and damage to your eyes. Replace your contact lens case every three months. [19] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
Always wash your hands with a mild, unscented, non-cosmetic soap before handling your contact lenses. Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel before handling your lenses. Keep your fingernails short and smooth to reduce the risk of damaging the lenses or scratching your eye. If you wear hair spray, make sure you apply it before putting in your contacts. Be sure to wash your hands after using/handling hair spray to prevent it from getting onto your lenses. If you wear makeup, put your contacts in before applying cosmetics. Likewise, make sure you remove your contact lenses before cleaning off your makeup at the end of the day. Only wear your contact lenses for the length of time and the long-term duration that your eye care professional recommended. [21] X Research source Do not sleep with your lenses unless your eye care professional has told you it is safe to do so. Never wear your contacts while swimming in any body of water, including swimming pools. [22] X Research source
sudden vision loss persistent blurred vision flashes of light severe or prolonged pain signs of infection, including swelling, redness, or irritation[23] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
