Contacts & Solutions
Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient, and with the latest advancements in technology, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the time, you will hardly know you are wearing them, though you will certainly notice how clear and accurate your vision is. Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, or cornea, to correct vision. While contact lenses may be worn for daily wear, patients who wear contacts should always have an up-to-date pair of glasses. This allows you to best meet your overall lifestyle needs while protecting the integrity of your overall eye health.
Although you may think of contact lenses as a full time committment, there are options for part time and occasional wear. Many patients find that they prefer contacts for special events and recreational activities even if they usually wear glasses. If you are interested in contact lenses for full time, part time, or occasional wear, ask Dr. Bensing or Dr. Shuke at your next visit if there is a contact lens that is right for you!
Contact Lens Types
The types of contact lenses available have exploded in the past few years. There are contact lenses available for almost everyone. Many of our patients were told in the past that they could not wear contacts, or they tried unsuccessfully to wear contact lenses. With the many advances in contact lens technology, that has all changed! We carry many lens types, and daily disposable soft lenses are popular among our patients for their comfort and convenience. Choose from the following list for a brief look at some available options.
Frequent Replacement Soft Lenses
These lenses are oftentimes worn for one-month periods and then replaced. Frequent replacement soft lenses are worn during the day and removed to be cleaned and stored at night. Some frequent replacement lenses require a weekly cleaning using an enzymatic cleaner, which removes protein deposits.
Disposable Soft Lenses
Disposable soft lenses are much more popular than frequent replacement soft lenses. These lenses are worn for a period of time and then, of course, thrown away. Disposables may be designed to last for one day or up to a couple of weeks. These are perfect for many patients who were told they could not wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens and are also popular for athletes and hobbyists who do not necessarily want to wear contact lenses every day.
Bifocal Soft Lenses
Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need bifocals can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses. Ask Dr. Bensing or Dr. Shuke if this would be a good fit for you.
Toric Soft Lenses
Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, the only options for those with astigmatism were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. Toric lenses, which are lenses with a special shape, now offer an alternative.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you’ve been told you cannot wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.
Solutions
There are a variety of solutions available from many different manufacturers. The important thing to remember is that not every solution is right for every type of contact lens. Some contact lenses require the use of multipurpose solutions, while others require separate solutions for the four steps in contact lens care: disinfecting, cleaning, rinsing, and enzyming. Daily disposable soft lenses eliminate the need for most or all solutions. Use only the lens solutions that are recommended by your eye doctor. If you wish to change brands, check with our office first.
