Contact Lenses Fashion Statement Or Necessity?


Defined Tag: Contact Lenses.

Introduction

Contact lenses are small, very thin discs made up of complex plastic materials, created to correct eyesight problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Contact lenses are placed in front of the transparent outer layer of the eye called the cornea, where they float comfortably on a film of eye’s own natural tears. The correct design of the contact lenses and professional fitting are necessary for comfort, safety and excellent vision.

Advantages

There are many benefits of wearing contact lenses instead of eyeglasses. The greatest benefit being that contact lenses are virtually invisible in use, people just don't know that you are wearing them. Besides this evident cosmetic advantage, there are numerous non-cosmetic advantages as well. Contact lenses provide you much better all-round vision than glasses, as they move with your eyes. Contact lenses provide you freedom of movement. Unlike spectacles, there is no need to be concerned about them falling off and breaking. This implies contact lenses are excellent for wide-ranging activities, including sports.

Types of Lenses

The most comfortable and widely used contact lenses are soft lenses:

Daily disposable lenses

Designed to be worn once and then discarded. These lenses are hassle-free, as they do not involve maintenance and cleaning solutions since they are never re-used. As a fresh new pair of lenses is worn each time, they guarantee clear vision and high-quality comfort. These lenses are ideal for sports persons or special occasions.

Monthly disposable lenses

These lenses are the most common of the lot. Meant to be worn during daytimes, and then removed and disinfected using special cleaning solutions. After a month people discard them and insert a fresh new pair.

Annual lenses

They are made of a soft material, which aids oxygen circulation, preventing dryness of the eyes. These contact lenses are easy to get accustomed to and very comfortable. They can last for a year, if they are carefully maintained and stored.

Gas permeable contact lenses

These lenses are the contemporary version of the old ‘hard lenses’. They are less supple than soft lenses as they are made from a mixture of semi-rigid materials that allow oxygen transmission. These lenses take longer to get adjusted, but are exceptionally durable and offer excellent clarity of vision.

Hard Lenses

Conventional hard lenses are made of a rather inflexible plastic, which do not adjust to the shape of the eye. They are most inexpensive and long lasting, but they can be very uncomfortable. Since these lenses decrease the oxygen level reaching the cornea, people wearing them are at risk of over-wearing syndrome, which may include redness, soreness or burning in the eye, hazy vision, or extreme sensitivity to light.