Lens Types
Contact lenses are made of many different types of plastic, but
they are divided into two main groups:
- soft
- rigid gas permeable (RGP)
Soft contacts contain 25% to 79% water, are easy to adapt
to and are quite comfortable.
 Rigid
gas permeable contact lenses provide
better visual acuity, durability, and
deposit resistance than soft contact lenses.
Here’s a look at a comparison
of different contact lenses. You choose
which one is right for you.
Daily-wear soft lenses
These contacts are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen
to reach the eyes. They are easy to adjust to and quite comfortable.
They are also available in tints and bifocals.
Daily-wear disposable soft lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are the ultimate in convenience.
There is no need to clean, disinfect, or add enzymes to the lenses--just
throw them away after each use. You simply replace it with a fresh,
new, and sterile pair every morning. They are ideal for traveling
because there is no need to transport contact lens solutions or
cases. They are also ideal for sports because there is much less
concern over the possibility of losing a contact lens.
Extended-wear soft lenses
These contacts can usually be worn for up to seven days without
removal but now there exists also a new extended –wear soft
lens. A new generation of contact lens is making 30-day contact
lens wear available once again. These "continuous wear"
lenses are made from new super-permeable silicone hydro gel materials.
The lenses provide much more oxygen to the eye than most conventional
extended wear contact lenses, making 30-day extended wear a safer
option than before.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP)
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses take longer to adjust to, but
are more resistant to deposit buildup. With a lifespan of 1-2 years,
they are also more durable. Although initially more costly, they
tend to be less expensive over the long run and can offer some people
crisper vision than they would get with soft contacts. RGP lenses
are available in tints and bifocals.
|