Advanced modern technologies have made contact lenses one of the safest and comfortable vision correctors. Depending on the lens material, wear and replacement schedule, they are further classifieds into various types. This blog will make you understand about the different types of contact lenses if you are new to the world of eye lenses.

Hard contact lenses

The conventional hard lens is made up of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which is considerably stiff and does not easily adjust to the shape of the eye. Owing to its rigidity and lack of gas permeability, PMMA is considered as the least comfortable type of eye lens. Now they are rarely used due to the high risk of over wearing syndrome and other side effects.

Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lens is smaller in diameter and it is used to rectify refractive errors, including astigmatism. It is made of special material that permeates gas including oxygen to reach the cornea and offer a sharper vision. RGP lens is a convenient option, since, the wearers don’t have to dispose them as often as soft lenses. Initially your eyes take time to acclimatize to RGP lenses, after that you will find it comfortable like soft lenses. It must be changed after 2 to 3 years of continuous wear. 

Soft contact lenses

Soft lenses are made from oxygen-permeable silicone hydrogels. Thin gel-like soft lenses easily adapt to your eyes and have highest water content up to 90% of the lens weight. They are flexible, durable and comfortable to wear. 

Spherical soft contact lenses are used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hypermetropia) and they have the same power throughout the optical part. They are available in a multiplicity of designs, subject to their intended purpose.

Toric lenses are prescription lenses that are specially designed to correct astigmatism. Sometimes more than one pair of toric contact lenses are required to provide the best fit, comfort and visual clarity. The advance design enables the lens to adjust with the right orientation on the cornea, this ensures that the power meridians of the lens position with the correct meridians of the eye for perfect vision. These lenses are available as daily disposables, weekly disposable, monthly disposable and other varieties.

Multifocal contacts also known as progressive or varifocal lenses have different power zones on the same lens, one for near vision and other for far vision to resolve presbyopia as well as myopia or hypermetropia. Certain multifocal lenses also resolve astigmatism. They are the avant-garde solution to monovision contact lenses.

Beautiful hazel eyes are rare among the people due to its recessive genetic nature. Coloured contact lenses are an excellent alternative for fashion-conscious people who like to experiment with their eye colour. They are available in daily or monthly disposable modality and you can choose from the different shades of softly-hued lenses.

Disposable lenses

Disposable soft lenses can be worn for a considerable time and then discarded. These lenses are specially designed to minimize the risks of corneal infection, which is normally observed in people wearing soft lenses. If you are new to contact lens go with the disposable lenses because they are easy to wear and durable.

Based on the replacement schedule the disposable lenses are classified into mainly three types: 

Daily disposables transparent contact lenses are single-use contacts that need to be disposed of at the end of the day. Just open a fresh pair of eye lenses apply them to the eyes, enjoy clear vision all day and remove them at the end of the day. These lenses are gaining popularity among the youth and health care practitioners due to its practical functionality.

Monthly disposable transparent contact lenses

Though daily disposable contact lenses are a better option to correct a range of vision problems, they add on extra financial compulsions. In that case, monthly disposable transparent contact lenses are considered a better option. They are made up of superior silicone hydrogel and can be worn for a considerable time without adding an extra burden to your monthly expenses. These lenses permeate seven times more oxygen to your eyes and minimize the chances of dryness.