Many people wear contact lenses, so it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of contact lenses and the basic rules to avoid eye infections. Keep these tips in mind before purchasing this type of lens.
Contact lenses are a good option for people who need vision correction and do not want to wear glasses or undergo eye surgery. These types of lenses are designed to fit a variety of vision needs and lifestyles.
Before purchasing contact lenses, it is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam to help you adapt. Sometimes you may need a follow-up exam after one week, one month, six months, and then every one to two years.
Mayo Clinic, an organization dedicated to clinical practice, education, and research that offers expert and comprehensive care to those who need to regain their health, through a statement, highlights the characteristics of the types of contact lenses and the basic rules to avoid eye infections.
Types of contact lenses
If you are wondering which type of contact lens is best, consider your vision problem and the length of time you will be wearing them.
Soft contact lenses
These are the lenses most frequently prescribed by professionals because they are easier to adapt to than rigid gas-permeable lenses. They work to correct vision problems such as myopia, a common vision disorder in which distant objects appear blurry; hyperopia, a disorder in which close objects appear blurry; astigmatism, a common and treatable defect in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred distance and near vision; and the loss of near vision due to age, known as presbyopia.
There are different types of soft lenses, depending on the length of use:
- Daily lenses: These are removed and discarded every night. Some options are discarded every two weeks, others monthly, and for certain prescriptions, some can be discarded quarterly. Mayo Clinic recommends that they be removed every night to be cleaned and disinfected.
- Overnight lenses: Some soft contact lenses can be worn for up to 30 days at a time and for sleeping. However, wearing them this way can cause complications such as debris buildup under the lens, corneal problems, or serious eye infections.
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses
For people with vision problems, they allow them to see clearly and sharply. They can be useful when you have already tried using soft contact lenses, but they are not comfortable or you suffer from dry eyes.
These types of lenses are more breathable because they allow more oxygen to enter the corneum, and they are also more durable than soft lenses. It is recommended that they be removed at night for cleaning and disinfection, but some can be used for a week or even 30 days in a row.
Special contact lenses
There are special contact lenses, depending on your vision needs.
- Hybrid contact lenses: These can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, age-related near-vision loss, and irregular curvature of the cornea. They have a rigid gas-permeable center surrounded by a soft outer ring. They can be more comfortable than wearing traditional gas-permeable lenses.
- Multifocal contact lenses: These are made from various materials and can correct myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia at the same time.
- Colored contact lenses: These may have colored shades for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes. If so, they can improve color perception and compensate for color blindness.
- Scleral support contact lenses: These are rigid, gas-permeable lenses that are larger than most lenses. They extend to the white outer layer of the eyeball and help correct vision when the cornea is irregular.
- Orthokeratology: These are used while sleeping to temporarily modify the curvature of the cornea and thus clear vision when awake.
- Contact lens coatings: This coating can be applied to soft or rigid gas-permeable contact lenses to make them more resistant to bacteria adhering to them as the surface becomes slippery.
Tips to avoid complications
Wearing contact lenses can sometimes cause discomfort or serious infections, so Mayo Clinic shares some tips to prevent this.
It is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water before handling contact lenses, but you should dry them with a lint-free towel. You should also minimize contact with water or saliva, so take your lenses out if you go swimming or before getting into a hot tub. It is also not ideal to put lenses in your mouth to moisten them.
For contact lens solutions, use only sterile, commercially prepared products made for your type of lens. Do not use any solution that has expired.
Replace contact lenses and cases as recommended. Each time you finish using the case, clean and rinse it with a sterile solution, not tap water. It is recommended that you replace the case every three months. Also, do not buy over-the-counter contact lenses because they can cause eye injuries and infections.
If you do experience itchy or irritated eyes, remove your contact lenses and apply lubricating drops, because sometimes even with proper use and care, you can suffer from dry eye syndrome. But, if your vision becomes blurry, your eyes hurt, or you have extreme sensitivity to light, it is best to see an ophthalmologist to treat it as quickly as possible.