How to Choose Contact Lenses: 15 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Contact lenses are very simple to use, but they can create several problems if you do not choose the type that best suits your needs. A large number of options can be found on the market today and the choice can be difficult. Knowing the pros, cons and best uses for each type of lens can facilitate the decision process and allow you to choose the best product for your eyes.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Evaluating Soft Contact Lenses

Step 1. Learn to distinguish between the different types of soft contact lenses

There are numerous types of soft lenses that can meet the needs of wearers. Generally speaking, a soft lens tends to fit more easily than a rigid gas permeable lens. Soft lenses are also usually more comfortable, especially when worn for extended periods.

Prolonged use lenses. These lenses can be worn overnight and can be worn continuously for seven days, without removing them. In addition, the Air Optix Night and Day have been approved by the competent authorities on the subject so that they can be worn day and night for up to 30 days;
Lenses with scheduled replacement. These lenses should not be worn overnight. They need to be replaced regularly, usually every two, four or 12 weeks;
Silicone based lenses. These lenses are highly breathable and prevent the build-up of deposits. These features can make them more comfortable, without the risk of irritating the eyes, especially if you suffer from dryness;
Colored contact lenses. These soft lenses feature a colored ring. It can be functional (helping to find a lost lens more easily) and therefore not alter the color of the iris or cosmetic, i.e. aimed at altering the natural color of the iris.

Step 2. Decide what duration is best for your needs

Although soft contact lenses are generally preferable for extended wear, they do not have the same durability as rigid gas permeable ones. However, there are various options regarding product life and replacement times.

Daily disposable lenses. These lenses are more expensive as they need to be replaced more frequently. However, changing your lenses daily carries a minimal risk of infection. They are a good option for those with dry eyes or a greater predisposition to suffer from allergies. In fact, since you wear a new pair of lenses a day, deposits and allergens have less time to build up;
Disposable lenses with biweekly or monthly replacement. They are slightly less expensive than the daily ones, and using a new pair every two to four weeks will help reduce the risk of getting infections. Some disposable soft lenses can be replaced every three months, although you should always refer to the judgment of your eye doctor.

Step 3. Determine if UV protection is important in your specific case

Many people choose contact lenses because they can be worn for sports without the risks involved in wearing glasses. If you play sports outdoors or are in the habit of spending a lot of time in the sun, you may want to discuss the possibility of using soft lenses with UV protection with your eye doctor.

It is important to consider that not all soft lenses protect against UV rays, but many also have this function. If this is an important factor to consider in making a decision, discuss the various options with your eye doctor.
Keep in mind that it is important to cover the entire eye and that the UV protection is limited to only one part. The rest of the eye should also be protected, so you should still wear sunglasses outdoors, although contact lenses have UV protection.

Step 4. Know the disadvantages of soft lenses

For many people, soft lenses are more comfortable than rigid gas permeable ones and better meet their needs. However, in general, soft lenses do not correct vision as effectively as hard ones. Here are other drawbacks worth considering:

Soft lenses tend to absorb pollutants found in the environment more easily than rigid ones. If you regularly expose yourself to smoke or airborne particles, you may want to talk to your eye doctor to determine if soft lenses would be a problem.
In addition to the contaminants that circulate in the environment, soft lenses also tend to absorb irritants from the hands, including creams and soaps. Washing your hands before handling them can reduce this risk, although it will not completely eliminate the chances of harmful substances being absorbed.
Having a soft and porous texture, these lenses are much more fragile than rigid ones. As a result, they may break or tear more easily (although they are designed to be replaced more frequently).

Part 2 of 4: Considering Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses

Step 1. Discover the benefits of RGP lenses

RGP lenses tend to be slightly less common than soft ones for various reasons. However, this type of lens is great in a number of ways. It has the following benefits for most contact lens wearers:

Sharper vision than that offered by soft lenses;
Greater visual clarity for some astigmatic subjects;
Better performance for some presbyopic people who require bifocal or multifocal lenses;
Better seal and sharpness for people with keratoconus (a disorder that causes the cornea to assume a conical shape);
Preferable for people who need to wear contact lenses following refractive surgery;
They can be used for orthokeratological procedures, which involve wearing the lenses overnight to reshape the cornea.

Step 2. Know the drawbacks of RGP lenses

Although preferable for wearers who have special needs, these lenses also have disadvantages. Some people claim they have the following cons:

They require more time to adapt and may be less comfortable;
They must be worn regularly so that they become comfortable (they can even be annoying after having stopped using them for a week);
Being smaller, there is a greater risk of them moving around doing physical activity;
They increase the risk of having discomfort or horny abrasions, as it is more likely that dust and dirt residues are trapped under the lenses;
They require more maintenance than soft ones. However, by lasting longer, you could save money over time.

Step 3. Consider hybrid contact lenses

If you're undecided between soft and RGP lenses, you might want to consider trying hybrid ones. The central part is of a rigid gas permeable material, around which there is a soft ring. This offers the convenience of a soft lens, but also meets the special needs of wearers who need hard lenses.

Hybrid lenses can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia and keratoconus.
Many wearers who need hard lenses believe that hybrid lenses are much more comfortable and easier to use.

Part 3 of 4: Assessing Your Needs

Step 1. Get an eye exam and a test

Before choosing a type of contact lens or any other device, it is important to consult a specialist to have a thorough examination and to know the characteristics of your eyes. The eye examination is mandatory to determine which lenses to use and have them prescribed. It is necessary to try the lenses in the eyes to ensure that they fit their shape and can meet the needs of the wearer without causing any discomfort.

Once you have received your lenses, you may need to have one or more follow-up visits. They are usually scheduled one week after receiving them. Then you will have to go to the ophthalmologist one or six months later, and then only have one visit a year

Step 2. Consider how often you will wear contact lenses

If you intend to wear them every day, then you will have more freedom in choosing between soft or rigid. Instead, if you intend to use them only on weekends or on special occasions, you should opt for the soft ones.

While soft lenses can be worn comfortably both occasionally and daily, rigid lenses must be worn full time to ensure adequate eye comfort is maintained

Step 3. Determine if it is important to you to have particular visual sharpness

All contact lenses correct vision, offering greater clarity than not using this medical device. Nonetheless, it is generally considered that of all contact lenses the rigid ones offer the sharpest vision ever, especially for astigmatic wearers.

If you need sharp, near-perfect vision for work, try talking to an eye doctor to determine if hard lenses are preferable for you

Step 4. Decide how much care / effort you can dedicate to the lenses

Improper maintenance can cause numerous vision problems, including fungal infections, bacterial infections and corneal ulcers. Daily cleaning is required for both soft and hard lenses. This does not apply to daily lenses, which must be thrown away at the end of the day.

Since soft lenses usually need to be replaced once a day, a week or a month, the risk of getting irritated or infected by residue build-up is lower.
If you don't mind taking a few extra steps to take care of your lenses and keep them in good condition, hard ones might be fine. However, if you fear you won't be able to (and are also afraid of losing them), you may want to consider soft ones.

Part 4 of 4: Caring for Your Contact Lenses

Step 1. Clean / disinfect the lenses

Saying it is superfluous, but you have to clean and take care of the lenses, regardless of the type chosen. This is important, as cleaning and disinfecting them helps remove dirt and irritants, including bacteria and fungi that could infect the eyes.

Clean and disinfect your lenses every time you take them off by rinsing them and storing them in a solution approved by your eye doctor.
To wash the lenses, pour some clean solution on the palm of your hand. Gently rub the lens inside the liquid using your index finger.
Never reuse the contact lens solution. Clean the case daily and always use clean product every time you take them off.
Do not use homemade cleaning solutions. You should also avoid moistening or cleaning the lenses with saliva before use, otherwise you will introduce bacteria into the eyes.
Do not wash the lenses with tap water. Microorganisms can live in tap water (and even distilled water). Although it is drinkable, it may still be dangerous to introduce it and leave it in the eye along with contact lenses.

Step 2. Clean and replace the case

Proper care of your lens case is just as important as cleaning your lenses. Dirt, bacteria and fungi can accumulate in the case, so you need to learn how to clean it and know how often to change it.

Clean the case every day. Avoid using soap: just rinse it with warm water and spray it with contact lens solution.
Always let it air dry. Leaving it wet all day can promote fungal proliferation, with the risk of causing infections and eye damage.
Replace the case every three months.

Step 3. Wear contact lenses correctly

Although they are safe to carry, the way they are used and stored is a factor that affects their safety and the continuity of their use. Any substance they come into contact with will sooner or later end up in the eyes, with the risk of causing irritation, pain or even infection.

Before handling contact lenses, always wash your hands with a neutral, fragrance-free and non-cosmetic soap;
Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel before touching the lenses.
Keep your nails short and smooth to reduce the risk of damaging the lenses or scratching your eyes.
If you use hairspray, be sure to apply it before putting on your lenses. Wash your hands after using or touching it to prevent it from ending up on the lenses;
If you wear makeup, put your lenses on before applying any cosmetics. Similarly, be sure to remove them before you remove your make-up at the end of the day;
Use the lenses only for the hours recommended by your eye doctor and replace them according to the indications you are given;
Don't go to sleep with your lenses in, unless your eye doctor tells you it's safe to do so. Do not wear them to swim in any type of water, including swimming pools.

Step 4. See a doctor if you have any problems

Contact lenses generally do not cause any difficulty for wearers, if not some minor discomfort during the adaptation period. However, some people do observe adverse symptoms, usually associated with an underlying infection or disorder. See your eye doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: