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Types

There are three different ways of categorizing contact lenses: Wear type, Tint type and Prescription type.

Wear Type Characteristics:
Disposable - Disposable lenses are highly recommended. This type of lens offers far more benefits than any other lens type. Disposable lenses are worn and discarded every one to two weeks. The lenses require less care than daily wear soft, as they are replaced more often. Doctors believe frequent replacement reduces the risk of infection. Visual Acuity also increases as new lenses are being placed in the eye more frequently. These lenses are usually prescribed to be worn daily and removed at night. They are great for people whose busy lifestyles make it difficult to do routine care and cleaning of the lenses. Depending on the patient, the doctor may prescribe an extended wear schedule.

Daily Wear Soft - These lenses are worn on a daily basis and are removed nightly to be cleaned. One pair of Daily Wear lenses will last six months to one year, depending on the practitioner’s prescribed wearing schedule. These lenses are handled more frequently, which can result in lost or torn lenses. Toric lenses are also available, for patients who need a correction for astigmatism.

Extended Wear Soft - These lenses are more oxygen permeable and can sometimes be worn longer than daily wear lenses. Some patients may be able to occasionally sleep in these lenses, but this is determined by the doctor only. The optometrist will set standards for the patient as to how long they should be worn before being removed and cleaned. Since the lenses are handled less frequently, the risk of losing or tearing a lens is somewhat reduced. The lenses, however, are thinner than Daily Wear Soft, thus must be handled more gently.

Frequent Replacement Lenses - These lenses are also called Programmed Replacement Soft. They are worn on a daily basis and thrown away after one to three months of wear, as instructed by the optometrist.

Gas Permeable - Gas permeable contact lenses are most often prescribed to patients with astigmatism. They are designed for very specialized prescriptions. The lenses may, however, be prescribed for spherical patients. These lenses are made of semi-rigid, silicone based plastic that allows oxygen to pass through the lens and into the cornea. The gas permeable contact lens is more difficult to adjust to, due to the rigidity of the lens. It can take up to three weeks of lens wear to become comfortable with the feel of the lens on the eye.