What types of contact lenses are available?

Contact Lenses are shaped pieces of transparent material, which are placed in the eye, usually with the aim to correct the refractive error (long or short -sightedness) of an individual.

There are two main types of contact lens available

Soft Contact Lenses

These lenses, as their name suggests, have a floppy structure, a bit like a piece of thick cling film. This is because they are made from an oxygen permeable material, making them very comfortable to wear. They are larger in size than their rigid contact lens counterparts and cover the whole of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), which the edges resting on the sclera (the white of the eye). Their floppy structure allows them to fit the shape of the eye like a glove and this makes them easy to get used to in the eye. They can be work on a daily, bi-weekly/monthly or continuous wear basis. They are the most common type of contact lenses and can also be used to change the apparent colour of the eyes (an effect often used in feature films and television).

Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Rigid Contact Lenses (also know as gas permeable or RGPs)

Rigid contact lenses have been available for a much longer period than soft contact lenses, although many improvements have been made over this time in allowing more oxygen to pass through the rigid material so the eye beneath the lens can remain in good health. They are less than a centimetre across, covering the pupil (the black part) of the eye, with the edges resting on the iris (the coloured part of the eye). They take longer to get used to initially due to their rigid structure, but are better in correcting the refractive error of more irregular shaped eyes. Despite a reduction in the number of rigid lenses being fitted, some practitioners believe they provide a more healthy option for the eyes for long-term full-time wear than soft contact lenses. They are worn during the day only and being more durable than soft lenses last for approximately one year. They take a little longer to get used to than soft lenses, but regular wearers find them comfortable.

For more details contact your contact lens practitioner