Seeing Clearly: Should You Stick with Disposable Contacts or Upgrade to Specialty Lenses?
, by nanmoon, 3 min reading time
When choosing contact lenses, you have several options to suit your vision needs and lifestyle. Disposable soft contact lenses are popular for their convenience and reduced risk of infection, worn for 1 to 30 days before replacement. Specialty lenses, such as Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP), hybrid, and scleral lenses, offer tailored solutions for specific eye conditions and provide benefits like durability, clearer vision, and enhanced comfort. Consult your optometrist to determine which type is best for you.
Disposable contact lenses vs. Specialty Contact Lenses
There are several options available if your vision needs corrective lenses. Contact lenses are the most popular option. Many people find that contact lenses offer a more natural experience, are more comfortable, and do not fog up when it rains or gets cold. They also don't interfere while doing sports or other physical activity.
You'll still have many other decisions to make. Numerous types of contact lenses are available on the market. Several factors determine the right contact lens for you. Your optometrist can assist you in determining which product best suits your needs. Take a look at the options you have.
Disposable soft contact lenses
The disposable contact lenses is a very popular option for many reasons. Wearing these lenses for a specific amount of days is the norm. The lenses can be worn from 1 to 6 days. However, some are made to last up to 30. You should replace the lenses with new ones at the end of their period of use.
These lenses are easy to clean, depending on how much time you wear them. The risk of infection is reduced when you follow the instructions. Soft disposable contact lenses are available in only a few curvatures and sizes. They may correct astigmatism or presbyopia.
Specialty contacts
There are several types of contact lenses that can be used to meet different needs. Some of the available options include:
Rigid lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (also called rigid corneal contact lenses), are made with durable materials to provide clear and crisp vision. RGP lenses cover 70-80% less of the cornea than disposable soft contact lenses. They are designed to last longer. It is important to keep the lenses clean and follow all care instructions. Some people also may find it harder to get used to wearing hard lenses.
hybrid lenses. Hybrid contacts combine the benefits of both lenses: comfort and clarity. These lenses are made up of a rigid central portion surrounded with a soft skirt. The skirt sits over the sclera, the white part of your eye. These lenses are especially useful for those with corneal irregularities, as the rigid lens portion corrects the corneal shape and produces clearer vision. Hybrids lenses are also designed to allow good oxygen and tear flow.
Scleral contact lenses. Scleral contact lens are made of the same materials and have a larger diameter than RGP lenses. These lenses are made to vault completely over the cornea while resting on only the sclera. The sclera provides support for the lens to vault over the sensitive cornea. The space that exists between the lens, and the cornea is vital because it helps to neutralize irregular astigmatism caused by an irregular cornea. It also serves as a reservoir of tears which keeps the eyes hydrated.