5 Metrics to consider while choosing contact lenses!

Deciding to switch from glasses to contact lenses can seem daunting when choosing the best contact lenses for your eyes. However, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. When faced with choosing the best contact lenses for you, it’s best to first think of some key considerations: 

• Cost
  How much are you willing to pay for your contact lenses? 
• Comfort
  Do you suffer from sensitive or dry eyes, so you must be very picky when choosing a contact lens? 
• Ease of Use
  Do these lenses need to be cleaned regularly? 
• Length of Wear
  Are you going to wear them for long periods? 
• Clarity
  Is your vision clarity a top priority? And both your eyes have the same prescription or not? 

It would be best if you answered these questions first. Then we will take you on tour to learn about the contact lens types and what each of them offers for your eyes!

Types of Contact Lenses 

Soft Lenses

The best option for first-time contact wears and those who have dry eyes.
Soft lenses are the most widely used type of lenses made of silicone or a particular type of plastic combined with water, allowing oxygen to enter your eyes, perfectly fitting those suffering from dry and sensitive eyes.

Pros: 

• More eye-comfort
• Easier to adjust

Cons: 

• Easily absorb particles, chemicals, bacteria, and mold than other types of lenses
• It could be ripped or torn easily

Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses (RGP) 

Durable and cost-effective lenses fit those who are searching for long-lasting lenses.
You might be surprised if you know that there’s a lens can last for up to three years if taken care of it! This type of lens is the Rigid Gas Permeable or RGP contact lens, which also puts your eye health first, not only the cost efficiency.

Pros: 

• Giving a clearer vision
• Less likely to tear
• Easier to handle and clean-up 

Cons: 

• Not comfortable initially as soft contacts 

The types of contact lenses listed above correct vision in the same way that glasses do, only they are in contact with the eye. People may use additional contact lens types to enhance eye color, correct vision problems, or even treat eye diseases. And the following list of some of these types: 

Hybrid

A hybrid contact lens is a mix of soft and rigid gas-permeable lenses; the first part increases comfort and helps the lens stay centered on the eye, while the second provides clear vision.

Pros

• Intended for people who have irregular corneas

Cons

• Fewer options available of this type as it’s a newer type of contact lenses
• Fewer eye care provider

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology lenses are specially designed to change the shape of the cornea and are mainly used in nearsighted patients. Ortho-K lenses are often prescribed to be worn while sleeping and removed in the morning.

Pros

• Ortho-K lenses are easier for children to wear and remove compared to other soft or hard contact lenses.
• Ortho-k can slow down myopic progression in children by about 50% per year.
• Avoiding problems arising from wearing contact lenses during the day, such as dry eyes.

Cons

• Ortho-k can not cure myopia completely
• It takes up to two weeks before taking effect of a clear vision for first-time users

Scleral

A scleral lens is hard or rigid gas-permeable, often prescribed to patients with severe dry eye conditions or damaged corneas. So, people who wear scleral lenses should carefully follow their eye care provider’s instructions for proper wear and care. 

Pros

• Comfort- because they do not contact the cornea at all, but only the insensitive sclera 

Cons

• High expenses due to the high level of expertise needed 

Cosmetic or decorative contact lenses

Some people wear contact lenses to change their eye color regardless of vision correctness. So, Decorative lenses are the best option for those people. However, all contact lenses require a prescription from an eye care provider.

Beautyvision.org provides you with different types of lenses that suit your eyes.