Brands of contact lenses

Types of Contact Lenses

Since the primary purpose of contact lenses is to correct vision, the different types are mainly focused on refractive errors. Here are the main types of contact lenses for correcting vision:

• Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

  These glasses are meant to be used every day. The lenses are hard but allow oxygen to pass through. Because they are not flexible like some other parts, people get used to them more slowly. However, they give very clear vision and are good for correcting many eye problems.

• Scleroplasty lenses

  The scleral contact lens is a special type of hard lens that sits on the sclera or white part of the eye and creates a small well over the cornea. It helps people with eye problems like corneas shaped wrong or damaged eyes. The lens gives a clear and comfortable view. It can be worn for a long time or shaped for each person.

• Hybrid Lenses

  The hybrid contact lens has the best of both worlds. The middle part is hard to give a sharp view, but there is soft plastic around it to make it comfortable. This lens sits flat on the eye to give a clear view and feels good to wear all day.

• Torus Lens

  A toric lens fixes astigmatism, which causes blurry vision. Toric contact lenses are made differently in each direction, like a power strip. This shape helps the lens stay in the right spot on the eye. It gives very clear vision to people with astigmatism.

• Bifocal and multifocal lenses

  These lenses help people who need to see both far and near. Bifocal lenses have two areas for distance and close-up. Multifocal lenses have several powers that gradually change for better vision at all distances. Eye doctors use special technology to fit these lenses correctly, so they work well for both distances.

Material Used to Make Contact Lenses

Contact lens care is very important to wash and clean them every time before using them. One of the major requirements for using them safely is to use good-quality contact lens fluid/saline/solution. However, contact lenses are made from the following four materials:

• Hydrogel lenses

  Hydrogel lenses have water-rich plastic that feels good and gives oxygen to the eye. They are flexible and easy to wear. Most people choose them because they are affordable and last a long time. Cleaning is simple with rinse solution. Hydrogel lenses keep eyes moist, working well for everyday use and covering dry eye complaints. Their cost and comfort make them good for vision correction.

• Silicone hydrogel lenses

  Silicone hydrogel lenses are strong, letting more oxygen reach the eye than regular ones. They are tough but thin and moldable, so they are flexible and fit well to the eye. Most people like them because they are breathable for longer use. They are affordable, but some cost more for special oxygen use. Easy cleaning keeps them clear. They suit busy people needing all-day comfort and good vision.

• PMMA lenses

  PMMA contact lenses are made from hard acrylic plastic that has been around for years. They are tough and durable but do not let oxygen pass through, which can make eyes dry if worn too long. People pick these lenses for their strength and long life. They are affordable, but some special versions cost more. Cleaning keeps them safe and clear, which helps them last longer. PMMA good for people wanting strong, low-maintenance lenses.

• Orthokeratology lenses

  These lenses are made from gas-permeable plastic to reshape the eye overnight gently. They are rigid but allow oxygen to nourish the eye. Many people choose these lenses for their non-surgical vision correction after wearing them at night. They can be pricier than regular lenses, but their special function makes them worth more for some. Cleaning is important to keep them working properly and safely. Orthok lenses give people clearer daytime vision without regular glasses or contacts.

Commercial Value and Uses of Contact Lenses

• Fashion accessory

  People want their eyes to look better, so colored contact lenses are popular. They change how eyes appear and let people try new looks by changing eye color. Major movie and TV stars use them to create special effects. People buy them to change their style quickly and without permanent changes. Various colors, tints, and patterns give users many choices to match outfits or their desired appearance.

• Medical use

  Contact lenses are useful in medicine to help repair damaged eyes. They can fix issues regular glasses cannot by sitting right on the eye. Medical contact lenses are used after eye surgeries or for treating diseases like keratoconus, which distorts vision. They give better comfort than glasses for some. The lenses help reshape the cornea to improve vision over time. Doctors select them to help each patient see their best.

• Preventive measurement to shield the eyes from external agents

  Contact lenses are used to shield eyes from outside things like dust, dirt, chemicals, or even laser surgery. Special lenses can protect the eye during surgery or help it heal after procedures. They act as a barrier to keep the eye safe in tough environments where irritation may occur. The lens protects fragile tissue from any danger. This support allows the eye to recover or remain irritation-free when needed.

• Growth potential

  The contact lens market has good chances for future growth. More people will use lenses for vision correction and cosmetic purposes. New technology will make lenses more comfortable and easier to use. With aging populations, there will be greater demand for medical contact lenses. The market is expanding into developing countries where vision care options are limited. Companies are driving market growth by promoting daily disposable and extended wear lenses.

How to Choose/Grade Contact Lenses

• Direct application on the eye

  Contact lenses sit right on the eye to give clear near and far vision. They help people see well without glasses. Evaluating how well someone sees with the lenses helps choose the right one. Testing vision clearly at different distances checks if the lenses meet their needs.

• Contact lenses carry a number

  Each contact lens has a special number that stands for its power to correct vision. Doctors take eye tests to find this number for each eye. The number must match the shape of the lens to work. Choosing the right lenses depends on what these numbers are. A contact lens prescription also has other details like the lens type and brand. These letters mean something about how the lens is made. They are important to your doctor when picking a lens.

• Trial lenses

  Doctors use trial contact lenses to see which one works best. They check how well the person sees with the test lenses. They also look at how the lenses fit and feel. The trial helps the doctor find the right lens. Everyone's eyes are different, so testing is key. The doctor then orders the proper contact from the lab.

• A good fit

  The contact lens must fit the eye just right to move with tears for good vision. Regular checks ensure the contact stays in the right spot. If it is too loose, tears will not help it stay put. Contacts that are too tight can press and hurt. Watching the lens helps catch any problems early.

• Refraction test

  This test finds the smallest lens that gives clear vision. Using a special machine, the doctor switches lenses until the person sees the best. It pinpoints the right prescription. Taking time with this test is important for good vision.

FAQs

Q1: What are contact lenses made of?

A1: Contact lenses are usually made of plastic but can also contain small amounts of water.

Q2: What do contact lenses do?

A2: They help people see better by changing how eye focuses light to improve vision.

Q3: How do contact lenses work?

A3: Lenses sit on the tear film coating the eye and bend light in specific ways to sharpen images.

Q4: How to remove and store the contact lenses?

A4:

The lenses should be gently lifted off the eye, then placed in a clean container with the proper soaking solution. The container must stay sealed to keep the lenses safe.