Contacts are thin, clear disks of plastic that float on the tear film that coats the cornea, the curved front surface of the eye. The health of the corneal surface and tear film are very important to your comfort and the clarity of your vision when you are wearing contacts.

Contact lenses are used to correct the same conditions that eyeglasses correct:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)

• Hyperopia (farsightedness)

• Astigmatism

• Presbyopia

WHAT DOES THE PRICE OF CONTACT LENSES INCLUDE?

When comparing the price of contact lenses, it is important to consider what services are included. Does the fitting include a complete eye examination and follow-up? Can you exchange lenses during the initial fitting, and is insurance for lost lenses available?

If you need treatment for an eye condition not directly related to the contact lenses, such as inflamed eyelids or dry eyes, there may be additional charges.

Many different plastics are used in the manufacture of contact lenses, but basically there are two general types of lenses: hard and soft.

HARD LENSES

Include the PMMA contacts that were first developed in the 1960s

but are rarely used today; and rigid gas-permeable, or RGP, contacts. RGP contacts combine plastics with other materials such as silicone or fluoropolymers to produce a lens that holds its shape, yet allows the free flow of oxygen through the lens to the cornea. These lenses are more “wettable,” easier to adjust to and more comfortable to wear than the old PMMA hard lenses.

RGP LENSES

May be the best choice when the cornea has enough astigmatism (is shaped like an egg instead of an orange) that a soft lens will not provide sharp vision. They may also be  preferable when a person has allergies or tends to form protein deposits on his or her contacts.

SOFT LENSES

The choice of most contact lens wearers for their comfort as well as

for the great number of options available in soft contacts. These options include:

DAILY WEAR LENSES

Removed nightly and are replaced on an individualized schedule. They should not be used as an extended wear lens.

EXTENDED WEAR LENSES

Worn overnight but are removed at least weekly for thorough cleaning and disinfection. They are being recommended less frequently, since there is a greater risk of corneal infection with any overnight wear of contact lenses.

DISPOSABLE WEAR LENSES

The most popular type of contacts and generally the healthiest mode of contact lens use. They are replaced on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Disposable lenses are sometimes recommended for people with allergies and for those who tend to form deposits on their lenses. Colored and toric lenses can be disposable as well.

COLORED CONTACT LENSES

Can change the appearance of your eye color to varying degrees.

TORIC WEAR LENSES

Can correct astigmatism, although sometimes not as well as RGP lenses. They usually cost more than other contact lenses.

Special uses for contact lenses include “bandage” lenses, to cover the corneal surface and provide comfort after injury or surgery; lenses for infants; RGP lenses, for people with very irregular corneas due to injury or disease. We offer our patients the latest in specialty contact lens fits for:

• Keratoconus

• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

• Corneal scars

• Corneal implants

• Corneal transplants

• Irregular astigmatisms

• Severe dry eyes

As one ages, correction for near vision is often necessary because the lens of the eye can’t change shape as easily as it once did.

This common condition, called presbyopia, can be corrected in one of three ways:

• Wear your distance correction in the contacts, and wear reading

   glasses when needed.

• Wear one contact for distance vision, and one for near vision.

   This option is called "monovision,” and it works well for many people

   but not for everyone. You may need a trial period to decide if

   monovision is for you.

• Wear multifocal contacts, which are designed to allow distance,

   intermediate and near vision. These lenses may provide adequate

   vision without the need for spectacles for all distances.

Lenses that are not properly cleaned and disinfected increase the risk of eye infection. Lenses that are old or not properly fitted may scratch the eye or induce blood vessels to grow into the cornea. Because a lens can warp over time, and the cornea can change shape, the fit of the contact lens and the power should be re-evaluated on a regular basis.Your return visits will be scheduled depending on the condition of your eyes and visual needs. Any eyedrops can interact with all types of contact lenses. It is best to avoid the use of eyedrops while wearing lenses, except for wetting drops recommended by your eye doctor.

Any lens that is removed from the eye needs to be cleaned and disinfected before it is reinserted. Your doctor will discuss the best type of cleansing system for you, depending on the type of lens you use, any allergies you might have and whether or not your eye tends to form protein deposits. Care of contact lenses includes cleaning their case, since it is a potential source of infection. The case should be rinsed with water, wiped and allowed to dry. Daily wear lenses should not be worn while sleeping. Homemade saline (salt water) solutions have been linked to serious corneal infections and should not be used.

Consult your eye care professional at Lakeland Eye Clinic today, all of whom  are experienced with contact lenses and with whom you can discuss your needs and expectations. Your eye care professional should diagnose and treat any eye problems that may hinder healthy lens wear and be able to correct problems that arise during lens wear.

WHO SHOULD NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES?

You may not be a good candidate for contacts if you have:

• Frequent eye infections

• Severe allergies

• Dry eye that is resistant to treatment

• A very dusty work environment

• An inability to handle and care for the lenses