Hard Or Soft, Short Term Or Extended,
And Why
You may think you have only one decision with regard to contacts - whether you'll use contacts or glasses. The truth is that's only one step in the road to having the contacts actually on your eyes.
There are several additional decisions you'll have to make. Should you order your contacts from an online source or have your optometrist provide them? Will you choose soft contacts or hard contacts?
Should you use contacts that have to be changed daily or extended wear contacts that can be worn for several days at a time? And which manufacturer will you purchase your contacts from? The answers to these questions and more should begin with your optometrist.
Your doctor can offer direction on many of the pertinent questions related to your choice of contacts with regard to those that are best for your eyes, your vision problems, and his or her own experience with the various manufacturers.
Gas permeable contacts are also known as hard contacts. One of the advantages is that they're typically more durable than the alternatives. However, the real downside of hard contacts is that these are often less comfortable than soft contacts.
Soft contacts may very well be the more comfortable alternative, though they might be less able to stand up to repeated handling. As technology has progressed, the soft contacts are becoming more durable and you may find that they are a good alternative.
Daily wear or extended wear is another question you'll have to answer, along with the option of selecting permanent contacts or a disposable version.
Daily wear contacts typically have to be removed after a specific period of wear time. As a rule, the daily wear contacts will be worn for a full day and removed at night. Extended wear contacts, according to manufacturer's directions, can usually be worn for two or more days without adverse affects.
The down side of extended wear contacts is that some people find themselves dealing with irritation after wearing the contacts for more than a day anyway. Extended wear contacts may cost more than daily wear and the wearer may find they aren't getting the benefits of the longer wearing period anyway.
Disposable contacts are typically designed to wear for a day or several days, then thrown away in favor of another pair. The cost may mean this isn't a good idea, but the option is definitely a possibility for those who simply hate the chore of cleaning and caring for contacts.
There are several additional decisions you'll have to make. Should you order your contacts from an online source or have your optometrist provide them? Will you choose soft contacts or hard contacts?
Should you use contacts that have to be changed daily or extended wear contacts that can be worn for several days at a time? And which manufacturer will you purchase your contacts from? The answers to these questions and more should begin with your optometrist.
Your doctor can offer direction on many of the pertinent questions related to your choice of contacts with regard to those that are best for your eyes, your vision problems, and his or her own experience with the various manufacturers.
Gas permeable contacts are also known as hard contacts. One of the advantages is that they're typically more durable than the alternatives. However, the real downside of hard contacts is that these are often less comfortable than soft contacts.
Soft contacts may very well be the more comfortable alternative, though they might be less able to stand up to repeated handling. As technology has progressed, the soft contacts are becoming more durable and you may find that they are a good alternative.
Daily wear or extended wear is another question you'll have to answer, along with the option of selecting permanent contacts or a disposable version.
Daily wear contacts typically have to be removed after a specific period of wear time. As a rule, the daily wear contacts will be worn for a full day and removed at night. Extended wear contacts, according to manufacturer's directions, can usually be worn for two or more days without adverse affects.
The down side of extended wear contacts is that some people find themselves dealing with irritation after wearing the contacts for more than a day anyway. Extended wear contacts may cost more than daily wear and the wearer may find they aren't getting the benefits of the longer wearing period anyway.
Disposable contacts are typically designed to wear for a day or several days, then thrown away in favor of another pair. The cost may mean this isn't a good idea, but the option is definitely a possibility for those who simply hate the chore of cleaning and caring for contacts.