You have probably heard that the best alternative to wearing eyeglasses is contact lenses especially if you require vision correction.
We can consider numerous reasons why you should consider lenses instead of glasses from an aesthetical perspective to more convenient such as for athletes.
In all these situations, you have to know what are they and how they are made so that you can find the best one possible.
Of course, first, you need to go to an eye exam near me, which will help you determine the exact prescription that will help you get the perfect lenses.
Materials
Have in mind that soft lenses come from water containing and gel-like plastics that are known as hydrogels. These types of lenses are pliable and thin, and they will match with the surface of the eye.
They entered the market in the ’70s and became highly popular because of their comfort when compared with other types of lenses that were available back in the day.
Since the only alternative was to wear PMMA, plastic lenses that required for people to wear them for weeks until they can adapt, and they were brought a high risk of eye irritation and infection as well.
You can also find silicone hydrogel lenses that are the high-end type of soft contact ones because they are more porous and will allow oxygen to reach the cornea, which was not possible before.
They appeared on the market in 2002 and today, it is the most popular choice for people all across the globe. You can also find gas permeable lenses or we can also call them RGP or GP lenses, which feel like PMMA but they feature pores, which allows oxygen to meet eyes.
That makes them more comfortable than other lenses that you can find on the market. Even though they were introduced in ’78, they replaced PMMA contacts that did not feature any pores, and they are better for vision than silicone and soft contacts.
In case that you have astigmatism, you should wear the rigid ones we have motioned above, but you have to adjust to them at first. During the adaptation period, people find that they are not as comfortable as hydrogel lenses, but they are not as before.
You can also find hybrid contacts that are perfectly designed to combine amazing optic features and comfort of silicone-hydrogel ones. They have a rigid central zone, but also hydrogel material at a skirt.
Even though it is the best possible solution because it combines comfort and practical features, it is not that popular because it is also the most expensive choice that you can find on the market.
Finally, we have mentioned above several times PMMA lenses that feature the most rigid plastic material called PMMA (check this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate) to learn more about it), which is a substitute for glass.
It is the best choice for optics, but they are not transmitting oxygen into the eye, which may cause eyestrains, irritation, and infection.
Since they are the first ones that appeared on the market, they were popular back in the day, while nowadays only a small percent of doctors prescribe them.
When Should You Replace Old Contacts?
With the proper maintenance, contact lenses require frequent replacement especially because it builds up contamination and deposits, which may lead to eye infections and other issues as well.
You can find daily disposable lenses that are safe to wear once and then to throw them away. At the same time, disposable ones can last for two weeks approximately, but you should stop wearing them after ten days.
You can also find reusable lenses that you can use both daily and nightly for six months and even longer, but they are the most expensive choice that you can make.
Unique Features That You Can Choose With Contact Lenses
- Bifocal Lenses For Astigmatism – We are talking about advanced contacts that will correct both astigmatism and presbyopia, which will allow you to avoid wearing glasses even after you grow older than 40 years.
- Contacts For Dry Eyes – In case that you have issues with dry eyes, you can find specific soft lenses that are made with pores so that your eyes could have the appropriate amount of oxygen, which will prevent dryness.