Contact Lenses Specialist

What Are the Different Types of Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are divided into two categories - soft lenses and hard lenses. Soft lenses are the most popular type of contacts in the United States because they are easier to adapt to than hard lenses. Whether you opt for daily wear lenses, that you wear during the day and disinfect at night, extended wear lenses, that you wear for extended periods of time without removing at night, or disposable lenses, that you wear during the day but dispose of instead of disinfecting at night, soft lenses offer a variety of options for correcting your vision without glasses.

On the other hand, hard lenses are rigid and gas-permeable making them ideal for patients with dry eyes or those who are prone to eye infections.  Most hard lenses are worn during the day and disinfected at night, but some may be worn for up to 30 days at a time. If your prescription does not change, and if you properly care for them, hard lenses can last for up to 3 years.

Are There Complications of Having Contact Lenses?

Most complications associated with contact lenses have to do with not caring for them properly. By practicing good hygiene when handling your contacts, removing them when you sleep, minimizing contact with water and saliva, and replacing them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you can avoid infection, irritation, and discomfort. Dr. Chang will provide detailed instructions on how to correctly place and remove the lenses as well as advice on how to best care for your lenses.

Are Contact Lenses Right for Me?

Only you and your optometrist can make that determination. Contact lenses are used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, blurred vision, and corneal irregularities. However, new advances in technology have created contact lenses for those who need bifocals, and tinted lenses for those who want to change their eye color.