Different Types of Contact Lenses

The argument between contact lenses and spectacles has been an age-old conflict. However, it can be rightfully said that these days, people prefer to wear contact lenses over spectacles as it is compatible with athletic activities, offers clearer vision irrespective of outside weather, comfortable to wear, and also makes the wearer look more fashionable and stylish.

However, contrary to popular belief, contact lenses are not some typical small glass curvatures. They come in different types and cater to different requirements of the user. Contact lenses can be categorized into different types depending on various factors. In this article, you will come across some of the different types of contact lenses that you can buy.

● Contact Lens Materials Contact lenses are made up of different materials. Depending on the material used for manufacturing, there are four different types of lenses that are found in the market.

They are mentioned as follows:-

1. Hybrid Lenses: The central zone of this type of lens is characterized by the rigid GP or gas permeable lens that is surrounded by a silicone hydrogel or hydrogel 'skirt.' Hence, users are provided with the comforts of a soft lens as well as the clear vision that comes with a GP lens. These lenses are mostly used by patients who suffer from corneal astigmatism.

2. Gas Permeable Lenses: Also known as RGP or GP lenses, they are rigid lenses that can easily retain their shape on the wearer's eye, enabling the lens to effectively correct astigmatism along with other refractive errors. They are made up of immensely oxygen-permeable materials and are typically smaller in diameter compared to soft lenses.

3. Silicone Hydrogel Lenses: They are an advanced version of soft lenses that provides for more oxygen to enter the eye and reach the cornea compared to regular hydrogel lenses. This type of lens comes in plastic-like material that becomes hard when dry but easily turned soft and pliable when soaked in the contact lens solution.

4. Soft Lenses: They are the most common type of contact lenses that are made up of water-containing and gel-like plastics called hydrogels. They are easy to wear as they can seamlessly conform to the frontal surface of the eyes. They are also extremely pliable and thin that makes it a great choice for people who are wearing contact lenses for the first time.

● Contact Lens Designs Depending on the intended purpose, soft contact lenses, that include both silicone hydrogel contact lenses are available in different designs.

Some of them are as follows:-

1. Cosmetic Contact Lenses: They include color contacts that are designed for intensifying or changing the original eye color. Theatrical, Halloween and various other types of special-effect contacts are considered as cosmetic lenses.

2. Multifocal Contact Lenses: This type of lens contains various power zones for both far and near vision to correct presbyopia along with farsightedness or nearsightedness. Multifocal lenses also include bifocal lenses that can correct astigmatism.

3. Toric Soft Lenses: These lenses are characterized by different powers in multiple meridians of the contact lens to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. The cylindrical component also helps in correcting cylindrical numbers. The special design feature of toric lenses enables it to rotate properly on the cornea. This helps in perfect alignment of the lens power meridians with the meridians of the patient's eye.

4. Spherical Contact Lenses: This type of lens has similar lens power all round the optical portion of the contact lens to correct hyperopia or myopia. It comes with an increased number of bends and flanges, that helps people to wear it easily as the lens can adapt to any cornea shape without making the user feel uncomfortable.

● Contact Lens Wearing Period: Contact lenses even with proper and regular care need to be replaced after a certain period to prevent contamination of the lens or any type of dust build-up. Contact lenses can be mainly divided into two types depending on their usability period.

They are as follows:-

1. Daily Disposable Contact Lenses: Most soft contact lenses are characterized by different types of replacement schedules. The replacement period generally varies from a few hours up to 24hours. After the wearing period of the lens expires, the user needs to discard it immediately. Hence, the user needs to dispose of the lens daily after use.

2. Extended-Wear Contact Lenses: These contact lenses can be worn by the user continuously for a minimum period of thirty days to four months. Extended-wear contact lenses are mostly sold in the form of rigid gas-permeable lenses as they offer more durability compared to soft lenses. They are also resistant to various lens deposits that prevent the user from the hassle of taking them off frequently for regular cleanup. Some GP lenses can even last for a full year before they need to be changed.

These are most of the conventional contact lenses that are mostly available in the market.

However, users can even customize their contact lenses according to their requirements. For example, through Miacare, users can select from a wide range of lens types and customize them according to individual eye shape as well as vision requirements.

Shop Miacare Contact Lenses from Amazon — https://www.amazon.in/miacare

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