Contact lenses are now commonly used by many people around the world. In the UK alone, millions of people wear contact lenses. There are many reasons why people wear contact lenses. Many people opt to wear contact lenses and forego prescription eyeglasses altogether. There are also people who choose to wear contact lenses occasionally. If you are thinking about getting contact lenses for whatever reason, there are several types for you to choose from. Before actually purchasing your contact lenses, it helps to get a better understanding of your options so that you know what type works best for you.
If you are wondering whether you should use contact lenses or spectacles, the first thing that you should understand is that it is not really about contacts vs. glasses. It is not actually a matter of choosing one over the other because contact lenses are usually worn as an alternative to glasses in order to correct vision problems. This means that you have a choice of whether to wear contacts or glasses. You can even wear both alternately if you choose to do so. Some people also favour wearing contact lenses for cosmetic reasons.
Types of Contact Lenses:
Picking the right kind of contacts depends on several factors, including your prescription, personal preferences and lifestyle. One of the best ways to decide on the right lenses for you is to discuss your situation with an eye care professional. Contact lenses are divided into three main categories. Here are the different types of contact lenses:
1. Soft Contact Lenses
Majority of people who wear contacts in the UK use soft contact lenses. These types of lenses sit over the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye. They have a lot of water and are oxygen-permeable, so they are extremely comfortable to wear. One of the advantages of these types of lenses is that it can be worn periodically, so if you prefer to alternate between wearing lenses and glasses, this is the ideal choice.
Soft contact lenses are further categorised into several variations:
- Daily Disposable
Simply put, daily disposable lenses are worn for the day and then are thrown away. They are ideal for individuals who only wish to wear contacts occasionally or for busy people who don’t have enough time during their day to do a maintenance routine.
- Weekly Disposable
Also called two weekly disposables, you can wear these lenses every day (to be taken out at night) for a fortnight. After two weeks, they can be replaced with a new pair. Since these are reusable lenses, they need to be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected and they should be stored in a special solution in order to keep them hydrated.
- Monthly Disposable
These contacts can be worn for a month and it requires cleaning overnight using a special solution. They’re perfect for people who opt to wear contacts continuously for five days or more. They are also an ideal choice for budget-conscious individuals.
- Extended Wear
Made from an advanced material called silicone hydrogel, these contacts are extremely breathable and are designed to be worn for a longer period of time, up to about 30 days or more. These type of contacts are recommended for extremely busy individuals who are always on-the-go.
2. Hard Lenses
Also called gas permeable contact lenses, these types of lenses are more durable than soft contact lenses and can be worn from about six to twelve months. Although they are not as popular as soft contacts, they are recommended for specific types of contact lens wearers, specifically those with myopia, astigmatism, or those with irregularly-shaped eye conditions.
3. Coloured Contact Lenses
Coloured contact lenses are a type of soft lenses that can alter a wearer’s eye colour. When you choose coloured contact lenses, you can select from a myriad of hues that will change your appearance. Colour options include blues, greens, browns, and hazels. These types of lenses are usually used for cosmetic purposes, so it may be a challenge to look for coloured contact lenses if the wearer has a severe eye condition. Aside from cosmetic purposes, coloured lenses are also recommended for people with conditions such as albinism, where the iris is pale, in order to correct unevenness in colour.
