Contact lenses are safe and convenient alternatives to spectacles.
However, as many seasoned contact lens wearers know, finding the right pair can be slightly more complicated than you imagine.
Aside from securing your prescription, you would have to wade through various types, styles, colours, and wear duration to find the best type of contact lenses for you.
With the help of the trusted professionals at Eye Braces Clinic, you can get the right pair of contact lenses in no time.
What Kind of Contact Lenses Should I Get?
Choosing the right contact lenses for you will depend on your needs, comfort levels, length of wear, costs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Depending on your vision problems and your doctor’s advice, you can choose soft contact lenses, rigid gas-permeable lenses, bifocal contacts, monovision lenses, toric lenses, and Orthokeratology (Ortho K) lenses.
Here are what you need to consider when deciding on a new pair.
Prescription
Are you getting contact lenses for nearsightedness or farsightedness? Maybe you have a mild case of astigmatism, too?
Due to variations in eyeball form, each eye may have particular issues that require lens correction, so it’s not uncommon to need different types of contacts for each eye.
Wear duration of contact lenses
Eye sensitivity when wearing contacts varies across individuals.
But other elements can contribute to your comfort levels, too, such as age, medication, and certain medical conditions, so it’s crucial to find the right length of wear.
Daily Wear Lenses
Daily disposables are designed to be worn only once, to be taken out at night, and thrown away.
There are also weekly and monthly contact lenses and quarterly disposables to fit your lifestyle.
Extended Wear Lenses
Also called overnight wear lenses, some are FDA-approved to be worn during sleep and even for 30 days straight.
Cost
When choosing contact lenses, you will find that prices vary based on the lens type, brand, length of wear, etc.
So, before you start, it’s a good idea to get a general understanding of contact lens prices and their accessories, including contact lens solutions, contact lens case, and more.
Research lenses, compare prices, and estimate how much it will cost to wear them based on your preferred length of wear. You can also ask your eye doctor for recommendations on less expensive products.
Effects and colours
Contact lenses also come in different colours and effects to fit your style.
Enhancement tints have delicate colours that make your eyes appear brighter and more vibrant.
Vivid tints are a more vibrant option than enhancement tints.
Circle lenses, also known as limbal rings or doll eyes, feature a black outer ring with vibrant hints inside that has a dilating effect on pupils for that wide-eyed look.
What someone likes may not be what you like, so again, research is imperative!
Specific Needs
No matter how many rave reviews a contact lens brand gets, it’s not a guarantee that it will work for you.
So always work with your eye care professional for a custom fit and a personalised eye care plan!
Types of Contact Lenses
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contacts are comfortable to use and, thus, are the most prescribed type of lenses.
They address various eye conditions, including presbyopia, astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and age-related loss of close-up vision or presbyopia.
The downside is that this material also makes it more prone to tearing, so proper care is necessary.
Rigid Glass Permeable (RPG) Lenses
RPG lenses let enough oxygen pass through to your cornea. These rigid contact lenses are the best choice if you have dry eyes.
However, compared to soft contact lenses, these can take longer to get used to.
Specialised Contact Lenses
For more complex eye conditions, here are the options available for you:
Bifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Monovision Lenses
Another option for near and distance vision correction, these single vision lenses come with different prescriptions—one eye for close-up vision and one eye for distance vision.
Since each eye will function independently, the drawback of monovision lenses is that it may take some time to get used to them.
Toric Lenses
Ortho K Lenses
Ortho K lenses are cornea-reshaping technology solutions that can fit most lifestyles, even for children as young as six.
Also called ‘eye braces‘ in reference to how putting on braces and aligners correct teeth, Ortho K also remodels the eye to gradually but safely reshape the cornea, slowing down myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Because Ortho K lenses are worn only nightly, the results are reversible and have almost zero risks.
What’s more, you won’t need to wear reading glasses or contact lenses all day long, so it’s the best option if you live in windy or hot climates and/or find wearing contacts or glasses cumbersome.
Get the Right Contact Lenses with Eye Braces Clinic
Contact lenses are medical devices. And just like any medical device, you must visit your eye doctor for a complete eye exam and a comprehensive contact lens fitting before purchasing your first pair.
With the right lenses, you can avoid discomfort, injuries, and the risk of developing severe eye infections.
Still unsure of what contacts are right for you?
Count on our knowledgeable optometrists for expert help!
They will assess your lifestyle, comfort level, and concerns to ensure you get the best fit.
With our technical expertise, specialised equipment, and commitment to making excellent vision a reality for everyone, you can look forward to clear vision you never thought possible until now.