Contact Lenses: The Different Types of Lenses

Even though they are great for your eyes, not all contact lenses are created equal.

Even though your doctor helps you choose the best pair for your eyes, you should always know a little more about the contact lenses available on the market. All progressive lenses can be categorized according to their wearing schedule, their purpose, the materials used, and their degree of transparency (for example in cases of myopia, or with added color such as red).

Materials.

Contact lenses can be distinguished or best categorized by the material used. They are divided into 2 main groups: soft lenses and rigid (harder) lenses.

Soft contact lenses (affordable) are permeable to gas up to a certain point, and are further divided into subcategories based on their water content. Soft lenses can have either a low moisture level, which is less than 50%, or a high moisture level, which is more than 50%. Rigid contact lenses, on the other hand, are made of a much firmer material and are considered gas-permeable.

Wearing schedule.

Rigid lenses can last for months, and it is even possible that they last for years before needing to be replaced.

Soft lenses, however, follow a wearing schedule. Some need to be replaced every 2 weeks, every 2 months, or even daily. The most advanced contact lenses, such as the "Night and Day" lens, allow you to wear them day and night. However, just like other types of lenses, you will need to clean them regularly to ensure that protein buildup is removed.

Contact lens design! Colored? Novelty?

Contact lens designs are divided into 3 categories — toric, spherical, and multi-focus.

Toric lenses are for people with astigmatism, spherical lenses are for those with myopia or hyperopia, and multi-focus lenses are used to correct presbyopia. All 3 designs serve a different purpose and you should always consult your optician before rushing out to buy them.

Several different purposes.

As you may already know, contact lenses serve very different roles. They can be optical, therapeutic, cosmetic, or decorative/novelty (such as Freshlook, for example).

The most common use is optical, as it involves correcting your vision or any anomalies you may have. Therapeutic contact lenses are usually soft contact lenses, serving to protect your corneas.

They are also used as a reservoir for certain remedies in order to treat various corneal disorders or dysfunctions.

Decorative contact lenses are primarily colored lenses that produce various effects such as rainbow eyes, cat eyes, and many others.

Cosmetic lenses, on the other hand, are designed to change the overall appearance of your eyes. Most cosmetic contact lenses are designed to enhance the overall color of your eyes.

The type of contact lenses you need.

With the wide variety of lens types available on the market, you should consult your optician to find out which one is best for you. If you do not have astigmatism, you will certainly not want toric lenses. If you know nothing about colored lenses, you could end up doing more harm than good to your eyes.

Contact lenses are designed to correct your vision and most often protect your eyes, which is why you must choose them with care.

If you choose your lenses carefully, you will find the ones that are best suited for your eyes. Your optician will give you recommendations during your fitting exam and advise you on how to properly care for your new lenses.

This way, even if you are new to this world, you will know what you should and should not do. With the right type for your eyes, you will rediscover a new and exciting vision of the world.