Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient, and with the latest advancements in technology, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the time, you will hardly know you are wearing them, though you will certainly notice how clear and accurate your vision is.

Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, or cornea, to correct vision.

We will discuss the option that is best for you. Many patients choose contact lenses for their primary vision correction and glasses as a backup option. All contact lens wearers should have glasses as a backup for emergencies.

Many patients who primarily wear glasses also enjoy contacts for activities and events where they would rather not wear their glasses.

Contact Lens Types

Contact lens technology continues to improve every year. Some patients have been told in the past that they could not wear contacts, or they tried unsuccessfully to wear contact lenses. You owe it to yourself to see what is new. We carry many options, and promise to do our best in selecting contact lenses that you will love wearing. Here are some descriptions of common lens types:

Conventional Soft Lenses
Conventional soft lenses are worn during the day, and cleaned and stored at night. These lenses can last for up to a year if your prescription stays the same and you take good care of them. However, we rarely recommend this type of lens because frequent-replacement lenses are so much more economical, not to mention more healthy for your eyes.

Disposable Soft Lenses
isposable soft lenses are much more popular than conventional soft lenses. These lenses are worn for a period of time and then, of course, thrown away. Some lenses are made to be replaced every two weeks, some every month, and some on a daily basis. The type of lens and wearing schedule we recommend is based on a number of factors. Our goal is to recommend the lens type that will be the most healthy and convenient for you.

Soft Colored Contact Lenses
Cosmetic or colored lenses are used by those who wish to change the appearance of their eye color. Colored lenses are available in many prescriptions or with no prescription. Some prescriptions are not available in colors, unfortunately. By law, colored contacts must be fitted by an eye doctor Contact lenses are medical devices with known side effects and risks. Worn improperly, colored contacts can damage your vision permanently.

Bifocal Soft Lenses
Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients who are in their 40s who need bifocals can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses. We’re fitting these a lot with very good success. Some patients enjoy having them just for going out on weekends.

Toric Soft Lenses
Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, the only options for those with astigmatism were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. Today’s toric lenses are much more comfortable and stable on the eyes and come in a greater range of powers.

Extended Wear Soft Lenses
Extended wear lenses, the result of new technology in lens materials, transmit more oxygen to the cornea of the eye. Some of these lens materials can be worn up to 30 days, day and night, without removal. Extended wear lenses can last one week, two weeks, or one month, depending upon the lens material and your doctor’s recommendations. Risks of infection are about 10 times greater when people sleep in their contacts, suggesting caution.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you’ve been told you cannot wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.

Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid lenses have a rigid gas permeable center bonded to a soft lens “skirt” around the outer edge. They offer the comfort of a soft lens combined with the clarity of a rigid lens. These specialty lenses, customized for each individual, can be a great problem solver for those who either don’t see well enough with soft lenses but can’t tolerate rigid lenses.

Solutions
There are a variety of solutions available from many different manufacturers. The important thing to remember is that not every solution is right for every type of contact lens or for every individual. We recommend that you use the brands specified by your doctor.

For more information on contact lenses visit GPContactLenses.