Types of Contact Lenses

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Wearing contact lenses gives patients the flexibility and freedom to live life to the fullest, without some of the difficulties presented by wearing glasses. Many people who choose contact lenses do so because they don’t like the way that glasses look or feel, or because wearing glasses compromises their ability to perform certain tasks or activities, such as sports or jobs that require the use of safety goggles. 

There are lots of different contact lenses to choose from, with two of the most popular being daily disposables and toric lenses. 
 

Daily Disposable Lenses

As their name suggests, these daily contact lenses are disposable. This means that they can and should be discarded at the end of each day rather than re-worn. Disposable lenses do tend to be a little more expensive than some repeat-wear varieties, but the benefits usually outweigh the cost. 

Some of the advantages of choosing daily disposable contact lenses include:

• You don’t have to clean them, which saves patients a great deal of time and hassle. It also helps save money in terms of the ongoing cost of cleaning solution. 

• Disposable lenses are also great for people with eye allergies. This is because with ordinary lenses, there’s an opportunity for deposits and microorganisms to build up. With daily disposables, allergens have less chance to attach themselves to the lenses and cause irritation and other allergy symptoms. 

• You don’t need to schedule regular replacements either, which makes wearing contact lenses easier on your schedule. 

• Disposable contact lenses are particularly good for people who have busy lives and are likely to cut corners when it comes to caring for their eyes or contacts since there is no cleaning or maintenance required.
   

Daily disposable contact lenses are available in a wide range of prescriptions, including those for patients with nearsightedness and farsightedness. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you if you are a candidate for disposable contact lenses. 
 

Biweekly Contact Lenses

Biweekly contact lenses are replaced every two weeks with proper cleaning and daily disinfection. They are removed each night for cleaning and disinfection before being worn again the next day. Biweekly lenses offer a great balance between convenience, comfort, and affordability, making them a popular choice for many contact lens wearers. 

Some of the advantages of choosing biweekly contact lenses include:

• Available in a wide range of prescriptions.

• More cost-effective than daily disposables.

• Comfortable for everyday wear.

• Requires proper cleaning and storage in each night. 

Your eye doctor will determine if biweekly contact lenses are the right option based on your prescription, eye health, and lifestyle. 

Monthly Contact Lenses

Monthly contact lenses are designed to be worn daily and replaced every 30 days. They are removed each night for cleaning and disinfection before being worn again the next day. With proper care and maintenance, monthly lenses provide a comfortable, reliable option for patients who wear contact lenses regularly. They are available in a wide range of prescriptions, including options for astigmatism and multifocal vision correction. 

Some of the advantages of choosing monthly contact lenses include:

• Comfortable and durable with proper lens care.

• Available in many prescription options, including specialty designs.

• Economical for full-time contact lens wearers.

• Requires nightly cleaning and storage. 

During your contact lens evaluation, your eye doctor will determine whether monthly contact lenses are the best option for your vision needs, eye health, and lifestyle. 

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Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses are recommended for patients who have a refractive eye problem called astigmatism. Patients with astigmatism have corneal abnormalities that cause the refraction of the eye to be different between the vertical and horizontal planes, causing blurred vision and difficulty seeing fine details. Toric contact lenses are shaped in a particular way that creates the different focusing powers needed in each part of the lens to correct your vision. For this reason, it’s essential that Toric lenses are placed into the eyes in the correct position.

Fortunately, manufacturers design Toric lenses with features that help them to stay in place, including:

• Thin/thick zones

• Creating areas of the lens that are thicker or heavier which helps secure it in position 

• An area where the bottom of the lens is slightly cut off
   

To keep them stable, Toric lenses are a little firmer than conventional soft lenses. This means that some patients can find them a little less comfortable, but the superior vision they obtain outweighs this. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you if you are a good candidate for Toric contact lenses and which variety would best suit you. 
 

Which Type Is Right For You?

The best contact lenses depend on your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and personal preferences. During your comprehensive contact lens evaluation, our doctor will recommend the option that provides the best vision, comfort, and long-term eye health for your individual needs.