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Contact
Lenses
Pros and Cons of
the Different Types of Lenses
by William Gabriel
Contact lenses have been an invention that has changed the lives of millions of
people over the years. No longer does one have to sit on the sidelines due to
poor vision or cumbersome eye glasses. Through the use of contacts, many vision
problems can be corrected, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and even
astigmatism.
There are a few different types of lenses people can benefit from today.
Here, we will take a brief look at the pros and cons of each type of popular
contact lens used today.
Hard contact lenses
You may have thought that hard lenses went out years ago; but they are in
fact still around. Today, however, they are different from the lenses used by
your parents. The hard lenses of today are called RGP, or rigid gas permeable.
This type of lens is not quite as comfortable as the soft lenses worn by most
people. They take some getting used to.
Unlike the hard lenses of old, RGP lenses allow oxygen to pass through the
lenses to the eyes. This lessens the risk of corneal irritation. Gas permeable
lenses are actually more effective at correcting some specific vision problems
such as refractive errors requiring high cylindrical or spherical powers.
The Pros of hard lenses are:
- Ease of care.
- Greater breath-ability than soft lenses, reducing the risk of infection.
- Lifespan of two to three years with good care and maintenance.
The Cons of hard lenses are:
- Less comfortable than soft lenses.
- Take some time to get used to.
- More likely to slip off the center of the eye, which could cause
discomfort and blurred vision.
Soft Contact Lenses
Widely popular due to their comfort, soft contact lenses are thin, gel-like
lenses that conform to the shape of the eye. They tend to stay in place well,
making them ideal for athletes and people who lead active lifestyles. Like hard
lenses, soft contact lenses can correct vision problems such as nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism. The difference is not in how they work; but how
they feel on the eye.
There are a few different types of soft contact lenses on the market. There
are daily contact lenses, single use lenses, and extended wear. Here are the
pros and cons of each.
Pros of single use lenses:
- Convenience due to the fact that they are worn and thrown out.
- No cleaning
Cons of single use lenses:
- This type of contact is more expensive than other soft lenses.
Daily Contact Lenses
The term "daily" may be a bit misleading. Daily contact lenses are designed
to be worn each day, removed at night. However, daily contact lenses can be
reused daily for several weeks. The lifespan of these contact lenses is
dependent on the manufacturer guidelines.
Pros of daily contact lenses:
- More economical than single use lenses and just as comfortable.
Cons of daily contact lenses:
- Maintenance is required. Must be cleaned every day and replaced regularly
to avoid complications such as protein buildup in the eye.
Extended Wear Lenses
Extended wear contact lenses are made to be worn continuously for a number
of weeks. There is no need to remove them each night. The life span of this type
of contact lens is dependent on manufacturer guidelines.
Pros of Extended Wear Lenses:
- Convenience. No need to remove every night because oxygen is still allowed
to reach the cornea.
Cons of Extended Wear Lenses:
- Increased risk of infection and other complications due to buildup of
micro-organisms on lenses from continuous use.
For more tips and information about
contact lenses &
daily contact lenses , please visit us online.
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