Contact Lenses

The following is a description of the various types of contact lenses available.

HARD CONTACTS

*PMMA - this is the oldest type of contact lens available. It is no longer used for new contact lens wearers because the material does not allow oxygen to flow through it, thus depriving the cornea of most of it's oxygen supply and creating a potential health risk.

*RIGID GAS PERMEABLE - these are the new hard contacts. They allow a substantial amount of oxygen to pass through the lens for the cornea to use. A person can feel gas permeable contacts in their eyes slightly more than soft contacts, and they can move around or come off the eye during very physical activities. However, these contacts are more durable and do not wear out as quickly as soft contacts. They frequently afford better vision for persons with astigmatism.

SOFT CONTACTS

*CONVENTIONAL - these contacts are usually worn for up to a year before replacing them. They are not commonly used anymore since they require more maintenance and pose more health risks than the newer styles of soft contact lenses.

*PLANNED REPLACEMENT - these are contacts that are usually thrown away every one to three months. They are commonly used and require very little maintenance and have a low health risk. Their slight increase in cost over conventional contacts is usually justified by their increased comfort and convenience.

*DISPOSABLE - this type usually represents the most popular contact worn - the two week disposable lenses. They are very safe and almost maintenance free. The small additional cost for wearing fresh contacts every two weeks is usually a good investment.

*ONE DAY DISPOSABLE - these are the ultimate lenses for convenience and safety. Each pair of contacts are thrown away at the end of the day with a new pair worn the next day. These are especially beneficial for people with allergies or contact lens solution sensitivities, and for those whose contacts tend to get dirty easily. Their price may be a barrier for some. However, the cost for this premium contact lens is equivalent to the cost of a cup of coffee each day.

*ONE MONTH EXTENDED WEAR - these are a new type of contact which are intended to be worn continuously without removing them for thirty days. Then they are thrown away and a new pair is worn for another thirty days before removing and disposing of them. Sleeping with contact lenses overnight has shown to cause some health issues in the past. However, these new lenses have supposedly addressed these concerns because of their new advanced material.

*TORIC - these are contacts that include an astigmatism correction. In the past, people with astigmatism could not wear soft contact lenses. With today's technology, toric soft contacts are becoming more popular. They are available in all types of replacement schedules.

*BIFOCAL - the central portion of a bifocal contact lens usually contains both the bifocal and the distance prescriptions. This style of lens can be difficult for some people to wear, but for some it allows them to not have to wear bifocal glasses or reading glasses. They are available in all types of replacement schedules.

*MONOVISION - this type of contact lens system has proven to be an adequate alternative to bifocal contacts. It involves fitting a regular contact in one eye for viewing distance objects, and fitting a regular contact in the other eye for viewing near objects. This set-up is easier to fit and significantly less expensive than bifocal contacts. Any brand of contact lens can be used with any type of replacment schedule. Some people find it difficult to adapt to this monovision system.

TINTED CONTACTS

*VISIBILITY TINT - this is a very light tint that makes it easier to see the contact lens when it is not on the eye. The tint does not affect eye color and is included at no additional cost.

*ENHANCING TINT - this is a transparent tint that enables a person's own natural eye color to appear more pronounced. It will not allow a person's eye color to appear a different color.

*OPAQUE TINT - this tint is unique in that it will allow a wearer to change their eye color. These lenses require a more exact fit and cost slightly more than transparent tints.

*COSTUME TINTS - the purpose of these opaque tinted lenses is to give the wearer a very unique or "wild" look by incorporating unusual designs in the contact. They are usually worn only for special occasions.