subject: Contact Lenses: Pros and Cons of the Different Types of Lenses [print this page] Contact Lenses: Pros and Cons of the Different Types of Lenses
Contact lenses have been an invention that has changed the lives of millions of people over the years. No longer does one have to sit on the sidelines due to poor vision or cumbersome eye glasses. Through the use of contacts, many vision problems can be corrected, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism.There are a few different types of lenses people can benefit from today. Here, we will take a brief look at the pros and cons of each type of popular contact lens used today.Hard contact lensesYou may have thought that hard lenses went out years ago; but they are in fact still around. Today, however, they are different from the lenses used by your parents. The hard lenses of today are called RGP, or rigid gas permeable. This type of lens is not quite as comfortable as the soft lenses worn by most people. They take some getting used to.Unlike the hard lenses of old, RGP lenses allow oxygen to pass through the lenses to the eyes. This lessens the risk of corneal irritation. Gas permeable lenses are actually more effective at correcting some specific vision problems such as refractive errors requiring high cylindrical or spherical powers.The Pros of hard lenses are:- Ease of care.- Greater breath-ability than soft lenses, reducing the risk of infection.- Lifespan of two to three years with good care and maintenance.The Cons of hard lenses are:- Less comfortable than soft lenses.- Take some time to get used to.- More likely to slip off the center of the eye, which could cause discomfort and blurred vision.Soft Contact LensesWidely popular due to their comfort, soft contact lenses are thin, gel-like lenses that conform to the shape of the eye. They tend to stay in place well, making them ideal for athletes and people who lead active lifestyles. Like hard lenses, soft contact lenses can correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The difference is not in how they work; but how they feel on the eye.There are a few different types of soft contact lenses on the market. There are daily contact lenses, single use lenses, and extended wear. Here are the pros and cons of each.Pros of single use lenses:- Convenience due to the fact that they are worn and thrown out.- No cleaningCons of single use lenses:- This type of contact is more expensive than other soft lenses.Daily Contact LensesThe term "daily" may be a bit misleading. Daily contact lenses are designed to be worn each day, removed at night. However, daily contact lenses can be reused daily for several weeks. The lifespan of these contact lenses is dependent on the manufacturer guidelines.Pros of daily contact lenses:- More economical than single use lenses and just as comfortable.Cons of daily contact lenses:- Maintenance is required. Must be cleaned every day and replaced regularly to avoid complications such as protein buildup in the eye.Extended Wear LensesExtended wear contact lenses are made to be worn continuously for a number of weeks. There is no need to remove them each night. The life span of this type of contact lens is dependent on manufacturer guidelines.Pros of Extended Wear Lenses:- Convenience. No need to remove every night because oxygen is still allowed to reach the cornea.Cons of Extended Wear Lenses:- Increased risk of infection and other complications due to buildup of micro-organisms on lenses from continuous use.
