Contacts come in various types and styles - even colors

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An opthomologist advises on what are types of contact lenses suited to your eyes

No more Mister Four-Eyes: Many men and women opt to wear contact lenses because it improves their appearance, and because they are tired of messing out with glasses. There are different kinds of contact lenses available. What are types of contact lens that you can choose will be based on your particular vision needs and the advice of your eye care professional.

Soft Lenses

There are two types of soft contact lenses: Daily disposable and silicone extended wear disposables. The daily disposables are worn once, for a day, and then thrown away. The best part about daily disposables is that eye dryness and irritation are reduced, and you do not have to clean the lenses because you throw them away and grab a new set the next morning. Silicone extended wear disposables are created out of silicone hydro-gel. These lenses can be worn for 30 days and nights. The material in the silicone lenses reduces irritation to the eye and disallows deposit buildup in the eye.

Soft contact lenses can be tinted. The visibility tint is done so you can find your lenses if you drop it. This tint does not alter the color of your eyes. The enhancement tint is a translucent tint that enhances natural eye color. These lenses are a bit darker than the visibility tinted lenses.

If you really want to make a change, get a pair of color tinted contact lenses, which totally change the color of your eye. You can go from blue to brown in the time that it takes to insert the lenses. The lenses are opaque.

Light-filtering tinted lenses are used by athletes and those who spend time outside. These lenses mute some colors while enhancing others. Tennis places wear lenses that enhance optic yellow, which is the hue of the tennis ball.

Rigid Gas Permeable Hard Contact Lenses

On the other hand, there are hard contact lenses, include rigid gas permeable lenses (or oxygen permeable lenses) that allow oxygen to circulate to the cornea of the eye. The older versions did not do this. The hard lens is sturdier than a soft lens. The hard lens keeps its shape longer and provides clear vision for those who have specific kinds of vision problems.

Rigid gas permeable lenses can be worn overnight although sleeping in hard lenses can decrease the flow of oxygen to your eye.

It is harder to adjust to hard lenses than soft lenses. Wear them every day so that you get used to them.

Bifocal Contact Lenses

When you reach a certain age, bifocals are a must. You cannot see to read and your distance vision is not all that great either. This condition is called presbyopia or the curse of the middle aged person. Bifocal contacts are available and are made in both soft and rigid lenses.

If you opt for monovision lenses you wear a contact lens in one eye that is prescribed for distance vision and a close-up lens in the other eye. You can wear reading glasses over your distance contact lenses.

Toric Contact Lenses

Individuals who have an astigmatism will need toric contact lenses, which consist of two powers: One for near- or far-sightedness and the other for the astigmatism.

Corneal Reshaping Treatment

For those who are nearsighted (cannot see far away) a corneal reshaping lens can be used to improve vision. This practice is referred to as ortho-k, short for orthokeratology.

Theatrical Lenses

Theatrical contact lenses are for decorative purposes only. They do not correct vision but they can make your eyes look really scary and weird, if that is your objective. Never share your theatrical contact lenses with anyone because this increases the risk of infection. These lenses must be maintained just as prescribed lenses are. You do not risk damage to your eye a result of one night of fun where you channeled some creepy character. Do not sleep in these lenses. This type of lens should be purchased from a registered dealer.

You only have one set of eyes so do not do anything that is going to irrevocably harm and impair your vision for the rest of your life.

Resources:

AC Lens: contact lens help and information

Webmd.com: contact lenses