Contact Lenses And Your Eyes
Michalis "BIG Mike" Kotzakolios
Kotzakoliou, SSA

Contact lenses are probably one of the most popular ways of ensuring a person has 20/20 vision, and they can make an excellent alternative to wearing spectacles so long as adequate precautions and checks are made before deciding on the type of lenses to wear.

Your eyes are very precious, and it’s important that a qualified ophthalmologist is consulted prior to buying any type of lenses. They will test your eyes and assist you in choosing the correct type which will suit your eyes the best. There are quite a few different types of contact lenses on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which type to choose.

The types of contact lenses to choose from include

• Rigid gas permeable lenses which are made of flexible plastic and allows oxygen to reach the eyes. (These are quite durable and designed for extended use • Daily soft wear contact lenses which are made of a flexible plastic and also allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes. These are designed for a shorter life span. • Extended wear contact lenses can be worn overnight, and these are made of a softer material than rigid or daily soft wear lenses. • Extended wear disposable lenses can be worn for a period of up to six days. Once this limit is reached, they are then disposed of.

It’s important the right type of contact lenses are chosen for each user, as each of the types of lenses mentioned above can have their pro’s and cons.

Rigid gas permeable lenses for instance need to be worn on a continuous basis and can slip from the centre of the eye if the wearer has not quite placed them properly. Small amounts of debris can also be a problem as it can slip under the lens and can cause eye irritation if the wearer is not vigilant in their eye care.

However Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are very easy to put into the eye and they are also very easy to maintain and they give the wearer excellent vision. They can also be bought quite cheaply which is better for anyone who is shopping for contact lenses on a budget.