Eye Contacts

Eye contacts are lenses that are worn on top of the eye to correct poor vision. If worn improperly or cared for poorly, eye contacts may irritate eyes or cause damage.

Eye contacts are a great replacement for eye glasses. People usually can't even tell you are wearing contacts. Contacts are easier to wear when playing sports or doing other activities where glasses are a hindrance.

Eye contacts come in a variety of types and designs, so almost everyone will be able to find contacts to fit them comfortably and receive great vision. But if contact lenses aren't cleaned, stored, and replaced properly, you can hurt your eyes.

Types of Eye Contact Lenses
Contacts are made of different types of plastic, but there are two basic types of contact lenses: soft and hard (gas-permeable).

Soft Contacts
Soft contact lenses are thin, soft lenses that are almost gel-like. They fit the shape of the eye and are flexible. They are very comfortable to wear and easier to get used to than hard lenses.

Types of soft contact lenses include
- Daily-wear contacts lenses: Daily-wear lenses are put in every morning and taken out at night. This kind should not be worn while you sleep. This kind typically lasts up to one year.
- Disposable contact lenses: Disposable lenses are made for short-term use. There are different lengths of time they can be worn for, depending what they are made of. These lenses can be worn from one day up to three months, but most brands typically last for two weeks.
- Extended-wear contact lenses: Extended-wear lenses are designed to be worn daily and nightly. They are made to let more oxygen through so that your eyes can breathe easier. Typically these lenses last for seven days, but there are also 30-day lenses. The 30-day lenses are stiffer and less comfortable than the 7-day lenses.

Hard or Gas-Permeable Contacts
Hard lenses, also called gas-permeable contact lenses, are made of harder plastics that don't contain water. They are less flexible than soft contacts, but they allow more oxygen to pass through the to the cornea than soft contacts. There is a reduced risk of corneal irritation.

Hard lenses can fix a wide range of vision problems, including astigmatism, which occurs due to a misshaped cornea. These lenses mold the eye to fit the contact. After a short period of adapting, most people can wear these hard lenses comfortably. They are easy to care for and quite durable.

Hard lenses don't need to be replaced as frequently as soft lenses. On average, each pair or hard lenses last for at least two to three years.

Soft vs. Hard Contact Lenses
There are pros and cons about each type of lens.
- Soft lenses are more flexible and comfortable and easy to get used to. Hard lenses are less comfortable at first and may take a lot of getting used to.
- Soft lenses may rip easily. Hard lenses are very durable.
- Soft lenses have to be replaced often, while hard lenses will last for a few years.
- Soft lenses have different options available such as disposable and extended wear, but hard lenses don't offer options.
- Soft lenses stay in place well, even during vigorous activity. Hard lenses slip off the center of the eye more easily and may cause discomfort.
- Soft lenses are not as effective as hard lenses are at fixing certain vision problems, such as astigmatism.
- Soft lenses don't let in as much oxygen as hard lenses do, which can be harmful to eye health.

Your eye doctor will prescribe the type of lens that is best for your eyes.

Proper Contact Care
Always follow the instructions for wearing your lenses. Take them out at night to sleep if you do not have nightly wear lenses. Be careful with nightly wear lenses because infections are more common.

Make sure your hands are clean before handling them. Wash, rinse, and dry your hands thoroughly to avoid contamination.

Use the proper cleansing formula for your lenses.

Replace your lenses as recommended. If your lenses bother your eyes before they are expired, replace them anyway or check with your eye doctor.