Deciding to make the switch from eye glasses to contacts may be an easy one – contacts offer convenience and you won’t have to risk scratching or breaking an expensive pair of eye glasses in your everyday life. Not all contact lenses are designed the same way, however. Some eye lenses are made with very soft plastic, while others are designed with more durable plastic. Fortunately, most lenses are now designed to adapt to your eyes fairly quickly, but you should still consult with a doctor to figure out exactly which type of lenses is right for you.
Soft Lenses
The softer plastic used in soft lenses like 1 Day Acuvue Moist makes it possible for oxygen to pass through to your eye. These lenses are also easy to put in every day and get used to, and can be made with different color tints and even as bifocals. While soft lenses are prone to tearing and may even soil easily, they are usually less expensive than other types of contact lenses and can therefore be replaced without spending a lot of money. You can get used to soft contacts within just a few days. Some soft lenses are reusable, while others can be disposed of after each use so you don’t need to clean them overnight.
Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses
RGP lenses are made from a harder material than soft lenses, which also makes them more durable. This translates to a longer life span and makes them less likely to tear while you handle them. However, these lenses are sometimes more likely to move around in your eye than softer lenses, and they must be worn almost all of the time if you want to fully adapt to them. If you want to use eye glasses a lot of the time, these lenses may not be the right fit for your needs.
Extended Wear Lenses
If you are unable or unwilling to change your lenses each day, or at least take them out for cleaning during the night time – extended wear lenses might be right for you. These lenses are meant to be slept in, and can sometimes be worn for as many as 30 consecutive days. After you take out a pair of these lenses, you should always leave them out for at least one night to give your eyes a chance to rest before putting in a new pair. Since extended lenses are often soft in nature, they let oxygen through to access your corneas.
Not all contact lenses are able to correct all eye sight issues. Generally speaking, RGP lenses can correct a larger range of eye problems than other lenses, but you should consult with your physical regarding your particular vision issues before you decide upon the type of contact lenses that you need. Before committing to extended wear lenses, it might make sense to begin with some disposable lenses to make sure that wearing contacts is right for you. Always clean your lenses as directed to avoid getting dust and dirt on your eyes.
Daniel Peterson is a physician. He loves to share his passion for eye health on consumer and health blogs.