The Different Kinds Of Contact Lenses

October 9, 2019

There’s more than meets the eye when you go for your regular eye test and are prescribed contact lenses. Contact lenses come in either soft or hard versions and both have a varying range of uses and benefits. Let’s have a look at which lenses you can expect to see at your optometrist in Newcastle:

Soft Lenses

These are the most common variety of lenses and they boast the widest range of varieties. They can be made from many types of material designed for different applications. Some lenses are made specifically to prevent drying out whilst others ensure greater oxygen transmission to decrease hypoxic stress on the eyeball.

Soft lenses are usually designed to be disposable and come in daily, weekly or monthly options. Even though they are mainly of this disposable type, you can get custom-made ones that are better for individuals who are looking for a more permanent lense but have difficulty with hard lenses.

There are lenses that are designed to better resist the build up of dirt deposits, as well as other variations that are for decorative purposes featuring smiley faces, dollar signs or cat like slit pupils.

Hard Lenses

Hard contact lenses, otherwise known as rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are generally smaller than their softer counterparts and are a better first choice option for people with more complicated conditions that prevent them from wearing the soft versions.

Conditions like high or irregular astigmatism, post graft surgery or keratoconus can mean that soft lenses will not provide the desirable vision, meaning hard, custom shaped lenses are needed instead. Modern variations on the standard RGP lense can be larger and this is a reflection on the different philosophies surrounding this type of lense. Your optometrist in Newcastle will be your best guide and help you test which RGP is best suited to your needs. Trial and error is the optimal way to test compatibility.

Other Considerations

Allergies – There have been cases where individuals have developed allergies from the contact lense material or cleaning fluid so if any allergic symptoms begin to occur, let your optometrist know right away.
Health Monitoring – If you are prescribed high oxygen transmission lenses, it is vital that the long term wearing of said lenses is monitored by your optometrist. Some are designed to be sleep-safe but that may not be best for your eye health and your eye doctor may prescribe a different type of lense for you.
UV Protection – UV protection systems can be applied to the front and back of your lenses and this can ultimately help prevent cataracts and other conditions. Ask your optometrist about this feature.

If you would like to book an appointment with an optometrist in Newcastle, call For Beautiful Eyes Eyewear Boutique on (02) 4965 4898.

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