Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed directly on the surface of the eyes. They offer a convenient and versatile alternative to glasses, providing a wider field of vision and greater freedom of movement. There are two main categories: prescription and non-prescription.
Types of Contact Lenses
- Daily Wear: Worn during the day and removed at night.
- Extended Wear: Can be worn overnight for a specific period (usually up to a week).
- Disposable: Used once and discarded.
- Frequent Replacement: Replaced on a scheduled basis (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
- Allow more oxygen to pass through to the cornea.
- Provide sharper vision for certain eye conditions.
- Toric Lenses: Correct astigmatism.
- Multifocal/Bifocal Lenses: Correct presbyopia, providing both near and distance vision.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: Worn overnight to reshape the cornea and temporarily correct myopia.
- Enhancement Tints: Enhance natural eye color.
- Opaque Tints: Completely change eye color.
- Visibility Tints: Lightly tinted for easier handling, do not change eye color.
- Combine a rigid center with a soft outer ring for comfort and clear vision.
- Large-diameter lenses that rest on the sclera (white part of the eye) and vault over the cornea, often used for irregular corneas or severe dry eye conditions.
Proper Care and Usage
Regardless of the type, proper fitting, care, and hygiene are essential to avoid eye infections and other complications. Always clean and store your lenses as recommended, avoid wearing them for extended periods, and never sleep in them unless specifically designed for overnight wear. Regular eye check-ups are also important to ensure your lenses continue to fit properly and your eyes remain healthy.
By following these guidelines and the advice of your eye care professional, you can enjoy the benefits of contact lenses while maintaining good eye health.
