The Complete Guide for Contact Lenses
Join the 45 Million People in the United States Who Wear Contact Lenses!
What are Contact Lenses?
If you are unfamiliar, let’s start with what are contact lenses? Contact lenses are a thin prescription lens prescribed by a licensed optometrist that sits on the front of your eye (the cornea) and helps to correct blurry vision and other issues. Vision health problems can range from astigmatism, myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and more.
Contact lenses function the same as prescription glasses in the sense that they are designed to help improve your vision and the overall quality of your life. They are a great alternative to eyeglasses for individuals that lead active lifestyles or are looking for a more hands-off solution.
What are Contact Lenses Made of?
Did you know that the first contact lenses were manufactured out of glass back in 1887? That’s not the case anymore! With the help of advanced technology, contact lenses have diversified and improved significantly over the years.
Contact lenses are typically made from a breathable plastic material. The type of plastic can differ between each specific type of contact lens. Some are more permeable and soft, while others can be more rigid. There are also hybrid options that blend the best features and material from both soft and rigid contact lenses providing comfort for individuals that wear either bifocal or progressive eyeglasses.
What are the Different Types of Contact Lenses?
The main contact lenses that you will see on the market today include: hard, soft, disposable soft, daily wear, extended wear, and colored options. It’s important to know your options when it comes to deciding which contact lens is best for you. While they are all made of plastic material, there are specific differences to each type. You can conveniently buy contact lenses online and shop our selection to find the brand you love most.
Not sure which one is the right fit for you? Learn more about available options below:
Hard
First introduced in the 1970s, hard contact lenses have progressed a long way. They can also be referred to as Rigid Gas Permeable (RPG) contacts. With the improvements that have been made over the years, hard contact lenses have become more flexible and will allow oxygen to penetrate through the lens and reach the eye. However, this type of contact lens will still hold its shape when you wear them, hence the term “hard.” Individuals may have to wear this contact lens several times before it starts to feel comfortable.
What are the main benefits of Hard contact lenses?
- Hold the original shape well
- Will not dehydrate
- Durable and long lasting
- Less delicate than soft contact lenses
- Low maintenance
- Can correct vision problems from most astigmatism
- Available as multifocal lenses (for those who need bifocals or progressive lenses)
- Provide the individual with clear vision
- Reduces risk of infection
The main disadvantages to be aware of when wearing a hard contact lens is that it may have the tendency to move away from the center of the eye, has the ability to get scratched, and as mentioned above, may be uncomfortable for the first few wears. With its rigid structure, it can also trap debris under the lens more easily than softer variations.
Soft
The biggest thing that made soft contact lenses so popular when they were first released back in the early 1970s was that they were typically more comfortable to wear than hard contact lenses. Soft contact lenses conform to the shape of the eye, so they are able to stay put in the desired placement better than the hard contact lens. This variation will also allow even more oxygen to pass through the lenses and into the eye because it’s combined with water. Optometrists tend to prescribe soft contact lenses over hard contact lenses to younger wearers because of the comfort and higher intake of oxygen.
What are the main benefits of soft contact lenses?
- Oxygen can flow better through a soft lens versus a hard lens
- Conforms to the shape of the eye
- Does not tend to move easily
- Increased comfort
- More suitable options for younger contact lens wearers
- Helps correct vision for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
While there are many benefits to wearing a soft contact lens, there are some disadvantages to be aware of as well. Because soft contact lenses will permeate oxygen and other gasses more easily compared to hard lenses, it can increase the risk of infection. Their softer material is also less durable, which can make them become more expensive if they have to be replaced more frequently.
Disposable Soft
Disposable soft contact lenses were introduced in 1987. Commonly confused for the Daily Wear contact lens, however, it’s important to understand that they are not the same. Disposable soft contact lenses quickly grew in recognition for being one of the lowest maintenance options for contact lens wearers because they were designed to be worn for shorter periods of time. Disposable contact lenses can range from daily, biweekly, and monthly replacement timeframes. If you lead a busy lifestyle, travel frequently, or have sensitive eyes, this type of contact lens may be a good fit for you.
What are the main advantages of disposable soft contact lenses?
- Great for individuals that experience eye sensitivity due to other health conditions or allergies
- Low risk of infection
- Low risk of bacteria and debris build up underneath the lens
- Minimal maintenance and cleaning required
Disposable soft contact lenses do tend to be the more expensive option between all the other contact lenses due to how frequently they must be disposed of. If you are looking for a more economical option, consider something different than disposable contact lenses.
Daily Wear
Another variation of the soft contact lens is the daily wear contact lens. It features all of the same benefits of the soft contact lens. The main difference is that optometrists recommend only wearing them during the day, they must be removed at night to properly clean and disinfect them for the next day’s use. The nice thing about daily wear contact lenses is that they can be reworn until the recommended discard date, and for that reason alone, they tend to be a very affordable contact lens if they are well taken care of.
Extended Wear
With similar functions and benefits as the daily wear contact lens, it’s another budget-friendly vision correction solution. The main difference is that you can wear the extended wear contact lens for up to a week before having to remove it for disinfecting and cleaning. That means you can actually sleep with them in your eye! It’s a more forgiving and low maintenance option for those who tend to forget to remove or clean their contact lenses regularly.
However, one thing to be aware of is the potential for an increased risk of eye infection due to overnight use. Exercise caution when wearing extended wear contact lenses and listen to your body. If you notice any discomfort or signs of infection in your eye, speak with your optometrist to find a more suitable alternative.
Colored
Last but not least, the colored contact lens. Introduced back in the early 1980s, colored contacts revolutionized the industry by allowing people to still receive vision correction while either enhancing their existing eye color or by altering it entirely. With eyeglasses, people had the opportunity to exercise self-expression through different shapes and colors. That was not a thing with contact lenses up until the colored contact lens was introduced to the market.
Just make sure that you wear colored contact lenses that are prescribed by your local eye doctor, not the ones that you can purchase at any store without an actual prescription. Those kinds of colored contact lenses can pose a serious health risk.
Are Contact Lenses Expensive?
Visionworks is in-network with thousands of different insurance plans, including providers like Cigna, Davis Vision, UnitedHealthcare, MetLife, and as of recent, VSP®. VSP is the largest vision care health insurance provider in the nation. The relationships Visionworks has cultivated with the insurance providers in our network allow us to provide much needed vision correction solutions to individuals across the United States at affordable rates.
Now the other component to this answer is the type of contact lens you choose to purchase. Disposable contact lenses tend to be more expensive than others because they require more frequent replacements. Hard contact lenses that are the most durable of the different contact lens types listed above tend to be the most economical because they will not tear or be damaged easily.
Who Can Wear Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are diverse vision correction options that can fit just about any lifestyle. While optometrists will recommend eyeglasses first for children that are under the age of 10 because they are the easiest option for that age, contact lenses are safe for even children to wear.
Contact lenses are a great alternative to eyeglasses for people that lead active lifestyles or play sports. Eyeglasses can limit their ability to perform well because they can fall off and be damaged, whereas contact lenses will stay put until you remove them yourself.
It’s also a great option for those that feel like eyeglasses hide or overwhelm their facial features, or do not like to wear anything on their face. Find out more about who can wear contact lenses!
What are the Best Contact Lenses for Me?
This is a common question people that are new to wearing contact lenses ask, “what are the best contact lenses for me?” Each situation is unique and differs from person to person, so what may work best for your friend or sibling may not necessarily work for you.
It’s important to first schedule an eye exam with your local eye doctor so they can help steer you in the right direction in determining the best contact lens for you. They will be able to identify any existing vision problems or underlying issues, and then recommend a treatment plan to correct any vision problems.
Finding the right contact lens for you may not be so black and white. As mentioned above, there are many different types of contact lenses available for people. You can take a blended approach and wear disposable contact lenses if you frequently travel or are planning on finally taking that much needed vacation. Afterward, you can switch back to extended wear, or the traditional hard and soft contact lenses.
Meet with your local eye doctor to create a customized vision correction plan that will accommodate your current lifestyle and be the most convenient option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are contact lenses safe?
While contact lenses are generally safe to wear, it’s important to consult with an eye doctor near you on whether or not contact lenses are the safest option for you.
If you experience eye sensitivity, get frequent eye infections, or have health problems outside of the scope of blurry vision, contact lenses may not be the best option for you. Consider buying eyeglasses instead as a vision correction solution that will not directly sit on your cornea or cause further irritation.
Are contact lenses better than glasses?
Neither option is better than the other, it all boils down which vision correction method improves the quality of your life the most. Are you an active individual that likes to run, play sports, and exercise regularly? Contact lenses may be the best option for you because they are low maintenance and will not inhibit your performance.
Do you need vision correction assistance at certain times of the day, like when driving at night or when reading a book? Eyeglasses are flexible in that sense where you can wear them or take them off as needed.
How do I wear contact lenses?
To properly put your contact lenses in:
- The first step is to thoroughly wash your hands
- Second, gently press on the contact lens with your index finger
- As you bring it to your eye, it helps to stare at a distant corner rather than your index finger and contact lens
- With your free hand, hold your eye open by pushing the lower portion of your eye down
- Gently press the contact lens against your cornea and blink a few times for it to settle in the correct position
To properly remove your contact lenses:
- Again, start by washing your hands thoroughly
- With one hand, hold open your eye using your index finger and thumb. This will help keep it from shutting
- With your other hand, gently press your index finger against the contact lens
- Drag the contact lens to the inner corner of your eye (towards your nose)
- Gently pinch the contact lens between your index finger and thumb, and remove it from your eye
- Place the contact lens in the correct cleaning solution overnight
If you are new to contact lenses and are not sure how to properly wear or clean them, click here to learn about what to expect when wearing contact lenses for the first time!
Do contact lenses hurt to wear?
As mentioned above, there are some contact lens types that have a longer adjustment period than others. However, contact lenses typically do not hurt to wear.
Hard contact lenses typically require a few wears before they start to feel completely comfortable. Soft contact lenses are more flexible and are more comfortable to wear from the start.
Can you leave in contact lenses overnight?
You can wear extended wear contact lenses overnight for up to a week, but they should be removed at least once a week for proper cleaning and disinfecting. However, it’s important to be aware of the increased risk of infection when wearing contact lenses overnight. If you choose to wear them overnight, be aware of your bodily response and contact an optometrist near you immediately if you notice any signs of infection or discomfort.
Can you see better with contact lenses than with glasses
Both options are excellent vision correction methods and should be used as recommended by your optometrist. Your specific prescription can be made to order for both contact lenses and glasses, so you will not see better with one or the other since they are the same. The biggest determining factor is which one you are most comfortable wearing.
