TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES

SOFT CONTACT LENSES
Traditionally patients have been supplied with durable Soft Contact Lenses which are only disposed of when they are thoroughly worn out. Often their life has been extended by using costly and complicated solutions until they are well past their best for the eyes.

Research has shown that many of the problems experienced by Soft Lens wearers are caused by layers of deposits on the surface of their lenses. These deposits can cause poor vision, discomfort, and most harmful of all, a build up of bacteria which can lead to eye infections. With more frequent replacement of lenses a safer more comfortable wearing time is achieved, and a less complex cleaning regime can be used.

Although we can tailor a scheme specifically for you most patients replace their lenses on a monthly basis. As Independent Opticians we can choose contact lenses from a wide range of manufacturers to ensure you have the best lenses for your eyes. Suppliers include Ciba Vision (www.cibavision.com) and Bausch and Lomb (www.bausch.com).

Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses
This is the popular way to wear soft contact lenses every day. Lenses are worn during the day, removed after wear, cleaned and disinfected overnight prior to wearing the next day. At the end of the month the lenses are thrown away and a fresh pair used.

A wide range of lenses are available including high water content lenses, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, multifocal lenses for those who require an additional reading correction, lenses containing an Ultra Violet light blocker and even lenses to enhance or change your eye color.

You will benefit by having:

Healthier eyes - more frequent replacement means less risk of build up of deposits and harmful bacteria.
Consistently good vision - with free update of the prescription, or fitting of your lenses should this be necessary.
More comfortable eyes - wearing new lenses means your eyes should be more comfortable and less likely to dry out at the end of the day. Replacement lenses are available if you lose or break your lenses.

Daily Disposable Soft Contact Lenses
Dailies are worn once and then thrown away. They are comfortable and sterile until you open the package. This makes them convenient, safe and ideal for those busy people who do not have time to look after conventional lenses. Now available in single vision, toric (for low cases of astigmatism) and progressive (for those who need additional help for close work) there is a lens to suit most people.

Daily Disposable Soft Contact Lenses are:

1. The ultimate in Daily Wear convenience
   Simply put in fresh, sterile pair of lenses each time and discard them after use. No solutions or lens cases are required - lenses are worn once and then thrown away. Your vision remains sharp and your eyes are comfortable and safe.
   
   The safe way to wear Soft Contact Lenses
   With sterile lenses every time and no cases or solutions (a potential source of allergies) Daily Disposable Soft Lenses are possibly the safest way to wear Soft Contact Lenses.
   
   
2. Ideal for Active Lifestyles
   Daily Disposable Lenses allow you to travel light - you only take with you the lenses you require and no cumbersome solution bottles and lens cases. No need to worry about losing or tearing lenses as you always have a supply of spare lenses.
   
   
3. Complementary to glasses for sport and leisure
   If you happy wearing glasses at work but wish to wear contact lenses for sport or just social use Daily Disposable Soft Lenses are ideal. You are in control of your lens wearing, you can wear them as often or as little as you like. You only buy a fresh supply of lenses when you need it, in the quantity you require. Daily Disposable Lenses are the ultimate in flexibility.

If you are not currently wearing soft contact lenses, or are not a contact lens patient registered with us at Northern Illinois Optical Company and Rockford Contact Lens Clinic, then you will need appointments for fitting or re-fitting with frequent replacement soft contact lenses.

RIGID GAS PERMEABLE LENSES (RGP)

For those who wish to wear Contact Lenses every day, these durable lenses are often the lenses of first choice. Since they are individually designed and made for you, the widest possible range of prescriptions and fittings are available. Astigmatism is often corrected by basic lenses, but there are also a full range of toric and bifocal / multifocal lenses available. The quality of vision is often superior to soft contact lenses. Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses are smaller than soft and are often easier to handle when inserting or removing. They are also generally safer than soft lenses with less risk of contact lens related eye problems. Overall they can be the least expensive option.

Lenses can last up to two years and the care regime is often less complex (and expensive) than for other lens types. However, compared to soft lenses the build-up to all-day wear takes longer (up to two weeks) but once achieved they are often as comfortable. Rigid Gas Permeable lenses are generally unsuitable for intermittent wear and should be worn most days to maintain tolerance.