Contact Lens
Contact Lens
Tired of glasses fogging up or slipping down your nose? Maybe you just prefer a glasses-free look. If so, contact lenses could be a great option for you!
At Kitsap Eye Physicians, our experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists are dedicated to helping you find the perfect contact lenses to suit your lifestyle and vision needs.
What are Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are thin, curved pieces of plastic that fit directly onto the surface of your eye. They can be a great alternative to glasses, correcting your vision by focusing light onto the back of your eye.
Unlike glasses that sit in front of your eye, contact lenses move with your eye, which can provide a wider field of view and feel more natural.
Are There Different Types of Contact Lenses?
Two of the most common types of contact lenses are soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses.
Soft Contact Lenses
These are the most common type of contact lenses. They are made of a flexible plastic material that conforms to the shape of your eye.
Soft lenses work by gently reshaping your cornea, the clear dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. This change in shape helps focus light rays more precisely onto the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye, resulting in clearer vision.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
These lenses are made from a firmer plastic material that allows more oxygen to pass through to your cornea. RGP lenses don’t reshape your cornea as much as soft lenses, but they vault slightly over the cornea, creating a smooth, tear-filled layer that helps focus light.
Contact Lenses Offered at Kitsap Eye Physicians
At Kitsap Eye Physicians, we offer a variety of contact lens options to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. Here’s an overview of some popular choices:
Monthly Contact Lenses
These are a convenient and cost-effective option for many people. They are designed to be worn for up to thirty days, although you’ll need to clean and store them properly each night in a disinfecting solution.
Daily Contact Lenses
These lenses offer a fresh, clean lens every day, eliminating the need for cleaning solutions and daily care routines. They are ideal for people who have allergies or find traditional cleaning methods bothersome.
Daily lenses are typically made from a soft, breathable material for added comfort.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
As mentioned earlier, RGP lenses are a good option for people who need a more precise correction or have certain eye conditions like astigmatism, which is uneven curvature of the cornea. They may take some time to get used to compared to soft lenses, but RGP lenses can offer excellent vision quality and long-lasting wear.
Scleral Contact Lenses
These are specialized contact lenses that vault over the entire white part of the eye, called the sclera, rather than resting on the cornea. Scleral lenses are a good option for people with dry eye or irregular corneal shapes that can’t be corrected with other types of lenses.
They are typically larger and require special care instructions from your eye doctor.
How Do You Choose a Contact Lens Type?
The best type of contact lens for you will depend on several factors, including:
Your Eye Health
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to assess your eye health and determine if you’re a good candidate for contact lenses. Conditions like dry eye or allergies may influence which type of lens material is best for you.
Your Vision Needs
Do you need nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism correction? Soft lenses can now come in toric designs to correct astigmatism, while RGP lenses generally offer the most precise correction for various vision problems.
Your Lifestyle
How active are you? Do you prefer the convenience of daily lenses or the cost-effectiveness of monthly lenses?
If you participate in sports or outdoor activities frequently, daily disposable lenses might be a good option to avoid cleaning and minimize the risk of losing a lens. On the other hand, monthly lenses can be more cost-effective if you wear them daily for extended periods.
Your Comfort Preferences
Some people find soft lenses more comfortable, while others prefer the sharper vision offered by RGP lenses. Soft lenses come in various materials with different levels of breathability and water content, impacting comfort and lens wear time.
Trying different types and talking to your eye doctor can help you find the lenses that feel best for your eyes.
Considering Lens Material
Soft lens materials are generally categorized into two main groups: hydrogels and silicone hydrogels. Hydrogels allow oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea, but they tend to dry out faster.
Silicone hydrogels allow more oxygen to pass through and hold more moisture, offering better comfort for longer wear times. Newer materials incorporate both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel properties for a balance of breathability and moisture retention.
Other lens features can impact comfort and wearability. For instance, some soft lenses have a slightly larger diameter to improve lens stability on the eye, while others have a thinner profile for a more natural feel.
Daily disposable lenses eliminate the need for cleaning solutions and overnight storage routines, which can be a plus for busy lifestyles or those prone to forgetting cleaning steps.
We Offer a Variety of Brands
At Kitsap Eye Physicians, we carry a wide range of contact lens brands from leading manufacturers like CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson, and Bausch & Lomb. We will work with you to find the brand and specific lens material that best suits your needs and budget.
Contact Lens Exams and Fittings
If you’re interested in trying contact lenses, schedule a contact lens exam at Kitsap Eye Physicians. During the exam, your doctor will assess your eye health, measure your corneas, and determine your prescription.
They will also discuss the different types of contact lenses available and help you choose the right ones for you. We will also provide you with detailed instructions on how to insert, remove, and care for your contact lenses.
With proper care and regular checkups, contact lenses can be a safe and effective way to achieve clear vision and enjoy a glasses-free lifestyle.
Do you want to learn more about contact lenses or discover which type may be right for you? Schedule an appointment at Kitsap Eye Physicians in Bremerton, WA, today!
