Choosing the Right Contact Lenses for You: What every Contact Wearer Needs to Know Before Selecting a Brand

Choosing a brand of contact lenses can be confusing, especially for first-time contact wearers. Each brand offers great features and claims to be the best, but what features are necessary? Contact lenses can also vary greatly in price, making the decision that mush more confusing.  Knowing the facts about contact lenses and the options available can help you make an informed decision about which brand is right for you.

The Basic of Contacts

Contact lenses are made from a flexible plastic. They are cleansed and disinfected regularly to avoid infection.  Contact lenses sit on the layer of tears that covers the cornea of the eye. They are designed to flex and move with your eyes without harming the cornea.

Special contacts are now available to treat astigmatism and presbyopia. These conditions were previously corrected only with eyeglasses. Most optometrists recommend that you remove your contacts before sleeping to reduce eye irritation and sensitivity.

Some contact lenses contain a tint that shields the eye from environmental light. This can be especially helpful for people with corneal scarring and for athletes who wish to reduce glare during outdoor sports. Colored contacts are also worn for cosmetic purposes. Many people choose to enhance or change their eye color with contact lenses. Colored contacts are also available for people who have normal vision.

Types of Lenses

There are two basic types of contact lenses, hard and soft.

Hard Contacts

Traditional PMMA Lenses

Hard contact lenses are more durable than soft lenses, but they are made of a non-permeable type of plastic that does not allow oxygen to reach your eyes. This means you must remove them frequently (usually every 10 hours). Hard lenses are uncomfortable for some during the adjustment period.

Gas Permeable

A newer type of hard lenses, gas-permeable lenses, allow oxygen to pass through to the eye and are more comfortable to wear.  Gas permeable lenses are the best contact lenses for those concerned with the health of their eyes. . Hard lenses can scratch the eye, especially if worn while sleeping.

Soft Contacts

Soft Contacts are the most popular type of contact lenses. Some are designed for everyday wear and replacement, while others last longer, usually 2-4 weeks. Daily disposable lenses are more expensive, but lower the risk of infection because you replace them with a clean pair each morning.  Wearing soft contact lenses past the recommended period can lead to corneal infections or permanent damage to the corneas.

Special extended wear lenses are available that are designed for nearly continuous wear, night and day, without complications. Silicone extended wear disposables are made with specially treated silicone that can be won for up to 30 nights and days straight.

Soft contact lenses are more comfortable to wear, and new contact wearers often adjust to soft lenses faster. Since the lenses are flexible, they often stay in place better, especially during activities like sports.

Some brands offer specially treated lenses designed to attract moisture and improve airflow to the eyes. This is an important feature for anyone with sensitive eyes.
New products hit the market every year and the available options in contact lenses will continue to grow. Selecting the right contact lenses depends largely on your lifestyle and your budget. If you are still unsure of which type of lens to choose, your optometrist can help you select the perfect contact lenses for you.