Contact Lenses
Improvements in contact lens materials and design mean that today, more people than ever can enjoy the convenience and good vision provided by contact lenses.
The first step to contact lenses is getting an eye exam. An eye exam will determine the corrective prescription you need, whether you intend to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you opt for contacts, your exam will also include a contact lens fitting, where the proper diameter and curvature of your lenses is determined.
Contact lenses come in a variety of configurations to solve whatever vision problem you may have, and also add enhancements for appearance and/or convenience. For example, color contact lenses can enhance the appearance of your natural eye color, either in a subtle or dramatic way. It's fun to test different colors and your eye care practitioner will have sample free contact lenses for you to try. Certain colors will probably be more flattering to your skin tone and hair color, so it's good to try a few.
If you're looking for a more whimsical change, special effect contact lenses can give your eyes the appearance of a cat or alien. These lenses are extremely popular at Halloween, but they can be used for fun at any time of year.
Turning to function, contact lenses can help you at varying distances if you're experiencing the onset of presbyopia. One option that most people don't know about is monovision, whereby one contact lens is prescribed for distance and one for close-up vision. It sounds unworkable, but your brain is able to sort out the correct image and this technique has been used for decades.
A limitation of monovision is that it compromises your depth perception, so you may prefer multifocal contact lenses that provide each eye with near, far, and in-between vision. There are quite a few multifocal designs, and your eye care practitioner can advise which ones might be best for you.
GP contact lenses are also something to think about if you have presbyopia, because many popular bifocal designs are made in GP lens material. GPs are a firmer, more rigid type of contact lens than soft lenses, and this is especially good for the precise optics required in multifocal contact lenses.
GP lens material is also a frequent choice for custom contact lenses, which may be necessary if your eyes have an unusual prescription resulting from a very irregular cornea.
If you have problems wearing contact lenses because of keratoconus, you might want to ask your eye doctor about scleral contact lenses. Scleral lenses are separated into four types depending on the len's diameter range. These lenses are larger in diameter than "normal" contact lenses, and rest on the white part of the eye (sclera) rather than the cornea. Because of this, the lens can correct vision problems (to an extent) caused by keratoconus.
Sometimes contact lens wearers have trouble with comfort, and when that happens, the top complaint is generally dry eyes. If that's a problem for you, talk with your contact lens practitioner. It could be that a different lens material will work better for you. Of course, if you only experience occasional dryness, this can easily be relieved with over-the-counter eye drops.
Whatever lenses you choose, it's important to care for them properly. Improper care can result in a corneal ulcer or another vision-compromising malady. Proper care means diligent cleaning, proper disinfection and storage, and replacement of your lenses on the recommended cycle.
Since most contact lenses today are disposable — meaning they might be replaced monthly, weekly, bi-weekly or even daily — you should plan to buy replacement lenses on a regular basis. Check with your vision insurance to see if they have a preferred provider of lenses that can offer you a special price. Often, though, you might get similar prices from your eye care practitioner, or from local or online stores.