Contacts can offer a world of freedom from bulky glasses. However, with so many options available, choosing the right contact lenses can feel overwhelming. This handy guide will break down the different types of contact lenses and offer helpful tips to ensure a perfect fit for your eyes and lifestyle.
Understanding the Types of Contact Lenses
Choosing the right contact lenses begins with knowing the difference between the various types available:
Soft Lenses: These are a very popular choice, and are known for their comfort and flexibility. Made from a soft, breathable material, they conform easily to the shape of your eye. Soft lenses come in various wear schedules.
- Daily Disposable: The most hygienic option, you simply discard and replace them each day.
- Disposable: Worn for a set period, typically two weeks, before being replaced.
- Extended Wear: Approved for overnight wear, but proper guidance and cleaning routines are necessary.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: These lenses are more durable and allow for increased oxygen flow to your cornea. They may take longer to adjust to than soft lenses but can be a good fit for people with astigmatism or irregular corneas.
Specialty Lenses: These contact lenses cater to specific needs:
- Toric Lenses: These are shaped differently than standard lenses, and are used to correct astigmatism.
- Multifocal Lenses: These have multiple prescriptions all in one lens in order to provide vision correction for near, far and intermediate distances.
- Colored Lenses: Vision correction can also be fashionable! These lenses can enhance or change your natural eye color.
Steps for Choosing the Right Contact Lenses
Choosing the right contact lenses depends on several factors, including your vision needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Here are some steps to take to help you make the best choice.
- Schedule a vision exam with our office. The logical first step is to have your vision fully evaluated and speak with our knowledgeable optometrists in order to be able to make a reasonable decision. During this comprehensive evaluation, we will assess your vision needs and eye health, and recommend the most suitable type of lenses for you.
- Consider your lifestyle and daily activities. Some factors to take into consideration would be your activity level or participation in sports, the type of job you have, if you spend more indoors or outdoors, or if you will be wearing contacts exclusively or alternating with glasses.
- Evaluate comfort and personal preferences. Comfort is important when it comes to choosing the right contact lenses. If you have dry eyes or allergies, you might want lenses designed for sensitive eyes. Additionally, consider which lens materials would be most comfortable to you, or offer features like breathability or hydration.
- Consider maintenance and care requirements. Proper care of contact lenses is extremely important to ensure your eye health and avoid infection or injury. For this reason, you must consider how much time you’re willing to spend on lens care. For example, extended wear lenses offer convenience but require strict hygiene practices. It is essential to evaluate the level of care involved before making your choice.
Our Team Will Help You Make the Right Choice
There are a lot of considerations when it comes to choosing the right contact lenses, but we are here to help. Our experience and knowledge, along with our extensive selection of contact lenses, will ensure that you find the perfect lenses to accommodate your needs. Contact our office at 630-862-2020 to schedule your vision exam and find the perfect lenses that offer comfort, convenience, and clear vision.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.