Silicone Hydrogel Contacts – The Latest Technology

The latest development in contact lenses technology has been the introduction of silicone hydrogel as a soft lens material. Silicone hydrogel lens help to increase the amount of oxygen that is received by the eye during wear which is essential for maintaining corneal health. Many contact lens wearers find that this increase in oxygen helps to address their issues with dryness and discomfort without the use of rewetting drops.

Silicone hydrogel lenses are quickly becoming the most popular lens choice and are available to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even presbyopia. While silicone lens are available to correct presbyopia, the availability of bifocal lenses is limited to a few brands.

How are silicone hydrogel lenses different from other soft contact lenses?

Traditional soft contact lenses are made of water-containing hydrogel polymers. The plastic polymers used to make these lenses are not oxygen permeable; however, the water content of the lens is used to carry oxygen through the lens to the eye.

Silicone hydrogel lenses are made of oxygen permeable silicone so the lens polymer and water content are able to deliver larger amounts of oxygen to the eye. Additionally, silicone hydrogel lenses have a lower water content so they are less prone to dehydration after long periods of wear than traditional hydrogel soft lenses.

Benefits of Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

• Deliver 6 to 7 times more oxygen to the eyes.
• More resistant to protein deposit build up.
• Less likely to dry out during the day.
• Decrease wearer’s risk of eye infections.
• Increased rigidity of material makes lenses easier to handle.
• Make extended wear a safer option.

While silicone hydrogel lenses are able to provide all contact lens wearers with several benefits, some will notice the changes more than others. Those who will greatly benefit to switching include those who wear high prescriptions, have eyes that require more oxygen or experience dryness, discomfort and redness at the end of the day.

Additionally, patients who wear their lenses for 12 to 14 hours a day and teenagers who tend to over wear their lenses frequently will see great improvements in their level of comfort if silicone lenses are worn.

Since silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach the eyes, they have made extended wear (30 days consecutively) of contacts a safer option for lenses wearers, which makes them a great non-surgical alternative to LASIK.

Shortcomings of Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

• Tend to be more expensive than non-silicone lenses.
• Some wearers may experience difficulties adapting to the more rigid lens material.

For most patients, the multitude of benefits offered by silicone hydrogel lenses far outweigh the few shortcomings they may be incurred when switching from traditional soft contact lenses.

If you are interested in switching to silicone hydrogel lenses, speak with your eye care practitioner about the benefits they have to offer you and your eyes. To more about other types of contact lenses, take a look at our Contact Lens Types article.