Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are slim, arcuate lenses fall within the film of tears that includes the surface of the eyes. The contacts allow the person to see clearly and are used as an alternative to prescription glasses. Although the lens is inherently transparent, a very little hint of color is frequently added to make them simpler for wearers to use. It is possible to reach soft and hard lenses. Currently, soft lenses are more common.

Types of Contact Lenses

There are several contact lens types that we want to talk about here. These are soft lenses, daily disposibles,silicone extended wear disposibles, rigid gas permeable hard lenses, bifocal contacts and toric contact lenses.

Daily disposable lenses

Daily disposables are just used once and then they are discarded. You do not have to clean these type of lenses because these are for only one-day use. Also, the ease of wearing these lenses is to replace them regularly and overcome dry eye and irritation problems with the help of solutions. It is a lens type suitable for people with allergies.

Silicone extended wear disposables

These are constructed using a brand-new substance that is wearable for up to one month. Additionally, the novel silicone substance avoids deposit development and lessens discomfort from dry eyes.

Soft lenses

Soft lenses are manufactured from a gentle plastic and are extra cushty than hard lenses due to the fact they keep extra water. Most of the soft contact lenses additionally offer UV protection. They are generally disposable and might be thrown away after a brief length of use, normally each 2 to 4 weeks or daily, relying at the form of lens prescribed. Having a new pair of lenses refers to less hazard of infection and more ease, particularly for people whose eyes inherently build more protein from lens clouds.

Although most people prefer soft contact lenses due to their advantages, these lenses also have several drawbacks. Cream or soap-based contaminants that might bother your eyes are simply absorbed by soft lenses. Additionally, they are more brittle than hard ones and are more likely to be teared.

Daily disposable lenses and silicone extended wear disposables are the most latest kinds of soft lenses. Every time soft lenses are used, they must be cleaned appropriately by putting them in a cleaning or multipurpose lens solution overnight.

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) hard lenses

These type of lenses are more stiff and long-lasting than soft lenses. Rigid gas permeable lenses, as opposed to earlier types of hard lenses, are constructed of silicone polymers and let oxygen to pass through to the cornea of the eye. Hard contacts give clearer eyesight for certain types of adjustments and hold their form longer than soft contacts. Additionally, they are incredibly maintenance-free and resilient.

There are a few topics you ought to have notice of if you are contemplating this kind of hard contact lens, though. The likelihood of getting corneal ulcers, a dangerous illness that can harm your sight if left untreated, is increased by 10-15 times. Also, any contacts worn while sleep might restrict the passage of oxygen to the cornea and cause a dangerous eye condition that could impair your eyesight. Further, there might be an abnormal corneal reshaping. Lastly, after taking a break from hard contacts for even a single day, the length of time required to acclimate to them is frequently repeated. Thus, you must wear the hard lenses daily to reach the furthest grade of comfort.

Toric contact lenses

For those with astigmatism, there are specific lenses called torics. They come in soft or rigid gas permeable versions and are constructed of the exact material as regular contacts. Toric lenses have the power to provide clear vision in both astigmatism and myopia/hyperopia conditions.

Bifocal contacts

Bifocal contact lenses are made to help persons with presbyopia see clearly. With two powers solely on a single lens—one to improve close vision and another to fix distance vision—these lenses function similarly to bifocal eyeglasses. Bifocal contacts are available in soft and hard gas permeable forms.

How to Wear Contact Lenses?

To put on your contact lenses, you can follow the steps below:

• In the beginning, hands should be cleaned and later should be rinsed out and dried with a quality towel.
• Make sure the contact lenses are not inverted. You can do this by placing the lens on the point of your finger and keeping it to the light. If the borders are glaring, the lens is in the reverse position. Some lenses have numeric displays, you can also pay attention to that. It should be similar to a bowl with flat edges.
• Tenderly keep your higher eyelid with one finger with your right hand. While gently pulling your lower eyelid down with your other fingers, you avoid blinking.
• Slide the contact lens to your eye. Put it on your eye while looking up, then slowly discharge your eyelid. For a little while, close your eye to give the lens time to adjust. Repeat the process to other eye.

You may watch the stages below to take off your contacts:

• Thereafter feeling certain that hands are cleansed and dried, begin the process with the right eye. Later, look up and attentively pull down your nether eyelid with the middle finger.
• Softly lead your forefinger to your eye until it touches the bottom lens border. Later, slip the lens to your eye's bottom white area.
• Softly squeeze the lens with your thumb and index finger and take it out. Repeat the process for your left eye.
• Throw away your daily-use lenses. You can throw away your daily lenses at the end of the day. However, you should disinfect your two weekly or monthly lenses after each use.

Contact Lens Cleaning

There are 4 easy steps for contact lens cleaning.

• Hands should be cleaned in soap and water prior touching contact lenses. If appropriate, antibacterial soap should be applied and a quality towel is required to dry hands. Oil or lotion-based soaps should not be used because they might contaminate or obscure the lenses.
• Always use new contact lens cleanser. Just clean your lens with the lens solution, only in this way, disinfection and appropriate cleaning can be done.
• Scrub your fingers over your contacts, and then rinse out them with some new cleanser. Research has indicated that contact lenses are best cleaned by rubbing and rinsing out. Try to touch your lenses with the tip of your finger, not with your fingernails. Because the nails are pointed, they can tear the lenses or can be dirty.
• After cleaning, rinse the contact lens case with new solution and set it out to air dry. Wash your lens container with your solution, not with tap water to avoid possible microbes and dirtiness. In addition, do not put the lens container in wet areas that may cause molds and microbes.

Types of Contact Lenses

We'll discuss a few different kinds of contact lenses in this section. Which include bifocal contacts, toric contacts, rigid gas-permeable hard lenses, daily disposable lenses made of silicone, and rigid disposable lenses for longer usage.

Daily Disposable Lenses:

Everyday disposables are only ever used once before being thrown away. Because these lenses are only intended for one day of usage, you do not need to clean them. Also, it is simple to use these lenses, replace them as needed, and use remedies to address dry eye and irritation issues. It is a lens type that is excellent for allergy sufferers.

Silicone extended-wear disposables:

They are made of a novel material that may be worn for up to a month. The unique silicone material also prevents deposit formation and lowers pain associated with dry eyes.

Soft Lenses:

Soft lenses are made of delicate plastic and are more comfortable than hard lenses because they retain more water. The majority of soft contact lenses also provide UV protection. Depending on the kind of lens prescription, they may be discarded after a limited period of usage, often every 2 to 4 weeks or daily. New lenses mean a reduced risk of infection and increased comfort, especially for those whose eyes naturally produce more protein from lens clouds.

Despite the fact that most individuals choose soft contact lenses because of their benefits, these lenses also have a number of disadvantages. Soft lenses merely absorb pollutants that are cream- or soap-based that might irritate your eyes. They are also more fragile and vulnerable to tearing than hard ones.

The most recent soft lens types include silicone extended wear disposables and daily disposables. Soft lenses must be properly cleaned after each usage by soaking them in a cleaning solution or all-purpose lens solution for the night.

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) hard lenses):

These lenses are more durable and rigid than soft lenses. Unlike older varieties of hard lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses are made of silicone polymers and allow oxygen to reach the cornea. For some modifications, hard contacts provide sharper vision and maintain their shape longer than soft contacts. They require very no maintenance and are quite durable.

If you are considering wearing this type of hard contact lens, there are a few things you should be aware of. There is a 10-15 times greater chance of developing corneal ulcers, a serious condition that can damage your vision if unchecked. Also, any contacts worn while you sleep might prevent oxygen from reaching your cornea and result in a risky eye disease that could damage your vision. Moreover, there can be an abnormal reshaping of the cornea. Finally, the period needed to acclimatise to harsh contacts is commonly repeated after taking even a little hiatus from them. Hence, in order to get the most level of comfort, you must wear the hard lenses every day.

Toric contact lenses:

Toric lenses are specialised lenses for astigmatic people. They are made of the same material as standard contacts and are available in soft or stiff gas-permeable forms. Astigmatism and myopia/hyperopia disorders can both be treated with toric lenses to improve vision.

Bifocal contact lenses:

Bifocal contact lenses are designed to improve vision for those with presbyopia. These lenses work similarly to bifocal eyeglasses because they have two powers on a single lens—one to correct distant vision and another to improve near vision. Both soft and hard gas-permeable bifocal contacts are available.

How to wear contact lenses

You can follow the steps below as a guide on how to wear your contact lenses.

Starting with a thorough cleaning, hands should then be washed and dried with a good towel.

Verify that the contact lenses are not upside-down. You can keep the lens pointed towards the light while resting it on the tip of your finger. The lens is in the reverse position if the borders are glaring. You may also take notice of certain lenses' numeric displays. It should have flat sides and resemble a bowl.

Keep your right hand's index finger gently on your upper eyelid. You don't blink and use your other fingers to slowly draw your lower eyelid down.

Slide the contact lens into your eye. When gazing up, apply it to your eye, then slowly open your eyelid. Close your eye briefly to allow the lens some chance to adapt. To the opposite eye, repeat the procedure.

You may also take advice from the text below on how to remove your contact lens.

After being confident that the hands have been well cleaned and dried, start with the right eye. Afterwards, raise your head and carefully pull your nether eyelid with your middle finger.

Bring your fingertip gently towards your eye until it makes contact with the bottom lens border. Afterwards, insert the lens into the white portion of your eye.

Take out the lens by gently squeezing it between your thumb and index finger. Do the same with your left eye.

You should throw away your glasses. After the day is through, discard your everyday lenses. But after each usage, you should clean your two weekly or monthly lenses.

Contact Lens Cleaning

You can clean your contact lenses in 4 easy steps;

Before handling contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If necessary, wash hands with antibacterial soap, and then dry them with a good towel. Use of soaps with oil or lotion bases is discouraged since they might taint or obstruct the lenses.

Use only fresh contact lens solution. Only by washing your lens with the lens solution can proper disinfection and cleaning be accomplished.

After cleaning your contacts with your fingers, rinse them with a fresh cleaner. According to research, rubbing and rinsing are the most effective methods for cleaning contact lenses. Instead of using your fingernails, try to contact your lenses with the tip of your finger. The lenses may be torn or soiled by the sharp nails, which are also possible.

The contact lens case should then be rinsed with fresh solution and let to air dry after cleaning. To avoid potential microorganisms and dirtiness, wash your lens container with your solution rather than tap water. Also, avoid placing the lens container in moist environments where mould and germs could grow.