Whether you're considering contacts for the first time or looking to update your current prescription, understanding the different types of lenses, proper care techniques, and common misconceptions will help you make informed decisions about your eye health.
Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses come in several varieties, each designed to address specific vision needs and lifestyle preferences. The technology behind these tiny vision-correcting devices has advanced dramatically in recent years, making them more comfortable and accessible than ever before.
1. Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are made from flexible, water-containing materials called hydrogels. They're the most popular type due to their comfort and ease of adaptation. Most new contact lens wearers start with soft lenses because they're immediately comfortable and require minimal adjustment time.
Within the soft lens category, you'll find several options that suit different lifestyles and preferences:
- Daily Disposable Lenses: Worn for one day and then discarded, these lenses offer maximum convenience and eye health benefits. They eliminate the need for cleaning solutions and storage cases, making them ideal for busy people or those with sensitivities to solution preservatives.
- Two-Week/Monthly Disposables: These lenses are replaced every two weeks or monthly, depending on the brand. While they require daily cleaning and proper storage, they tend to be more economical than daily disposables while still providing excellent comfort and vision.
The introduction of silicone hydrogel materials has revolutionized soft contact lenses. These advanced materials allow up to five times more oxygen to reach the cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses, significantly improving comfort and reducing complications for many wearers.
For more on the pros and cons of daily vs. monthly contacts, check out our blog.
2. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses might sound like outdated technology, but they remain an excellent option for many wearers. These durable lenses maintain their shape while allowing oxygen to reach the eye, often providing sharper vision than soft lenses for certain prescriptions.
While they take longer to adapt to initially, many long-term RGP wearers wouldn't switch to anything else. They're particularly valuable for patients with keratoconus, high astigmatism, or those who've had less success with soft lenses. The crisp, clear vision they provide is unmatched for some prescriptions.
3. Specialty Contact Lenses
Vision correction has become increasingly personalized, with specialty lenses addressing specific vision needs:
- Toric Lenses for Astigmatism Astigmatism no longer prevents people from wearing contacts. Toric lenses are specifically designed with different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct this common condition. They feature stabilization designs to prevent rotation, ensuring consistent vision throughout the day.
- Multifocal Contacts As we age, presbyopia makes reading and close work more difficult. Multifocal contact lenses correct both distance and near vision, eliminating the need for reading glasses or bifocals. These sophisticated lenses use different optical zones to allow focus at varying distances, providing seamless vision at all ranges.
- Color contacts have also evolved beyond just fashion accessories. Today's color-enhancing or color-changing contacts are designed with breathable materials and precise optics to ensure eye health isn't compromised for aesthetics. However, it's crucial to remember that even non-corrective colored contacts require a prescription and professional fitting.
Finding the Right Contacts for Your Needs
Finding the perfect contact lenses involves more than just matching your prescription. Your lifestyle, eye health, and personal preferences all play important roles in determining the best option for you.
A comprehensive contact lens evaluation at Asheville Vision and Wellness goes beyond a standard eye exam. Our doctors carefully assess corneal curvature, tear film quality, and overall eye health to recommend the most appropriate lenses for your unique eyes. Read more about our contact lenses here.
Several factors influence which contact lenses will work best for you:
- Prescription type and strength
- Eye health conditions like dry eye or allergies
- Lifestyle needs and activities
- Wearing schedule preferences
- Budget considerations
- Manual dexterity and comfort with handling lenses
First-time contact lens wearers should expect an adaptation period. Your eyes and brain need time to adjust to this new form of vision correction. Most people adapt fully within 1-2 weeks, but it's important to start slowly with shorter wearing times and gradually increase as comfort improves.
Don't be discouraged by initial awareness of the lenses—this sensation typically diminishes as your eyes adapt. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial during this period to ensure proper fit and address any concerns promptly.
Proper Contact Lens Care
Proper care of your contact lenses is essential for both comfort and eye health. Following the right procedures helps prevent infections and ensures your lenses perform as intended.
Before handling your lenses, always wash hands thoroughly with fragrance-free soap and dry with a lint-free towel. Avoid moisturizing soaps that leave residue on your fingers, as this can transfer to your lenses and cause irritation or blurred vision.
The insertion process should become second nature with practice:
- Always start with the same eye to avoid mixing up lenses
- Place the lens on your index fingertip and check that it isn't inside-out
- Hold upper and lower eyelids open with your other hand
- Look upward and gently place the lens on the white of your lower eye
- Slowly look down to position the lens on your cornea
For reusable lenses, proper cleaning and storage are non-negotiable aspects of lens care. The solution you use matters tremendously—different formulations serve different purposes, and using the wrong solution can cause discomfort or even damage your lenses.
Never cut corners with contact lens care. Using tap water on lenses or cases, reusing solution, or extending the wear schedule beyond recommendations significantly increases your risk of serious eye infections. These shortcuts simply aren't worth the potential consequences to your eye health.
Remember that different lens types have different replacement schedules:
- Daily disposables: Discard after each use
- Two-week lenses: Replace every two weeks
- Monthly lenses: Replace monthly
- RGP lenses: Replace as directed (typically 1-2 years)
Even if you don't wear your lenses every day, stick to these time-based replacement schedules. Once opened, lens packaging and materials begin to break down, regardless of actual wearing time.
Common Contact Lens Misconceptions
Many myths and misconceptions surround contact lenses, and clearing these up is important for potential and current wearers alike. Let's address some of the most persistent misunderstandings:
- "Contacts can get lost behind your eye" - This is physically impossible. A membrane called the conjunctiva connects your eyelid to your eye, creating a barrier that prevents lenses from migrating behind your eye. A lens may move off-center, but it cannot go behind your eye.
- "Contacts are uncomfortable" - While some initial awareness is normal, properly fitted modern contact lenses should feel comfortable very quickly. Ongoing discomfort usually indicates an improper fit, a lens care issue, or an eye health problem that needs attention.
- "I can't wear contacts because I have astigmatism" - This may have been true decades ago, but today's specialized toric lenses can correct most astigmatism. Additionally, RGP lenses can correct even high degrees of astigmatism, making contacts a viable option for almost everyone.
- "All contact solutions are the same" - Different solutions contain different preservatives and cleaning agents designed for specific lens materials. Using the wrong solution can cause reactions ranging from mild discomfort to severe allergic responses.
- "Sleeping in contacts is harmless" - Perhaps the most dangerous myth. Unless specifically prescribed extended wear lenses, sleeping in contacts increases your risk of eye infections and corneal ulcers by 6-8 times. Even with extended wear lenses, risks exist, and regular breaks are necessary.
Signs It's Time to Visit Your Eye Doctor
Being proactive about contact lens-related problems can prevent serious complications. Remove your contacts immediately and contact your eye doctor if you experience any of these warning signs:
Persistent discomfort or pain that doesn't improve after lens removal could indicate a corneal abrasion or infection. Similarly, unusual or persistent redness, swelling of the eye or eyelids, or any discharge should prompt immediate professional attention.
Vision changes while wearing contacts, such as blurred vision, halos around lights, or unusual light sensitivity, may signal problems with the lenses or underlying eye health issues. Never ignore these symptoms—some conditions, like corneal ulcers, can progress rapidly and threaten vision if not promptly treated.
Trust your instincts—if something doesn't feel right with your contacts, it probably isn't. Remove the lenses and consult your eye doctor rather than trying to push through discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to adjust to contact lenses?
Most people adapt to soft contact lenses within a few days to a week. RGP lenses typically take 1-2 weeks for full adaptation. If discomfort persists beyond this timeframe, consult your eye doctor, as it may indicate a fit issue or the need for a different lens material.
Can children wear contact lenses?
Yes, many children successfully wear contact lenses. The right age depends on the child's maturity and ability to handle and care for lenses properly. Studies show that some children as young as 8 can responsibly wear contacts, particularly daily disposables, which eliminate cleaning requirements.
How often should I replace my contact lens case?
Replace your lens case at least every three months. Cases develop microscopic scratches that can harbor bacteria. Between replacements, clean your case daily by rinsing with fresh solution (never water), rubbing gently, and allowing it to air dry.
Can I swim or shower with contacts?
It's best to remove contacts before swimming or showering. Water contains microorganisms that can adhere to contact lenses and cause serious infections. If you must wear contacts while swimming, use disposable lenses with watertight goggles and discard the lenses afterward.
What's the difference between prescription and non-prescription colored contacts?
All contact lenses, including non-corrective colored contacts, are medical devices that require a prescription. Non-prescription colored contacts change your eye color without correcting vision, but they still affect your eye health and must be properly fitted by an eye care professional.
Conclusion: Your Contact Lens Journey
Contact lenses offer a wonderful alternative to glasses, providing freedom and natural vision. Today's advanced lens technologies make contacts an option for almost everyone, including those with astigmatism, presbyopia, or dry eyes.
The key to successful contact lens wear is proper selection, care, and regular professional oversight. At Asheville Vision and Wellness, our experienced staff can help you navigate the many options available and find the perfect lenses for your unique eyes and lifestyle.
Remember that contact lenses are medical devices that interact with one of your most sensitive organs. Professional guidance ensures not only optimal vision but also long-term eye health.
Ready to explore your contact lens options? Whether you're a first-time wearer or looking to update your current lenses, our team is here to help. Schedule an appointment online or visit our contact page to learn more about our contact lens services.