What are Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are thin, plastic discs that are placed directly on the cornea, which is the curved surface of your eye. Contact lenses, like eyeglasses, are used to correct vision problems caused be refractive errors, such as:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, where objects at a distance appear blurry
- Hyperopia, or farsightedness, where objects at an intermediate distance appear blurry
- Astigmatism, where blurry vision is due to an irregularly shaped cornea
- Presbyopia, where the vision changes happen normally with age
Types of Contact Lenses
There are two types of contact lenses available for use: hard and soft.
As the name suggests, hard contact lenses, hold their shape firmly while still allowing oxygen flow to the eye. The most common type of hard lens is a rigid gas-permeable (RGP).
The most commonly used type of lenses are the soft contact lenses. Not only do they tend to be more comfortable for the wearer, but there are also a variety of options available.
- Daily Wear Contacts are used during the day and removed at night prior to going to sleep. There are different types of daily wear contacts that offer an assortment of wear and replacement options. These replacement options include: daily, every two weeks, and every month.
- Continuous Wear Contacts are lenses that may be worn while both awake and asleep, for up to thirty days. It is imperative that patients who wear these lenses are diligent in removing them at least once a week for cleaning. It is also important to note that these types of lenses carry a greater risk of eye infections and complications due to the extended usage when compared to daily wear.
- Toric Contacts are lenses that are specially designed to correct astigmatism. They are available as both daily and continuous wear lenses.
- Color Contacts are lenses that not only correct vision, but are also tinted to change the color of your eye. They are available as daily wear, continuous wear, and toric lenses.
- Cosmetic Contacts are lenses that are only used to change the appearance of your eye, and is not utilized for correcting vision.
It is essential that all contact lenses, prescription and non-prescription, are acquired and evaluated by an eye specialist before use, to ensure a proper fit and comfort.
Caring for your Contact Lenses
To ensure safe contact lens usage, you must be committed to caring for them properly and replacing them when required. Make sure to follow the recommended directions and schedule given by Dr. Orazio L. Giliberti, FACS for wearing and replacing your lenses. Always use an approved sterile cleansing solution to clean and disinfect lenses once removed from your eyes and also prior to putting them back into your eyes. If you do not use the daily disposable lenses, make sure to keep your contact lenses case clean, and replace it at least every three months, or sooner if necessary.
Remove your lenses if you experience any symptoms such as redness, pain, or blurry vision when using your contacts. If any of these symptoms occur it is important to be treated immediately.
If you are interested in trying contacts, speak with Dr. Orazio L. Giliberti, FACS during your comprehensive evaluation at Giliberti Eye and Laser Center. It is important to discuss all options with Dr. Giliberti to find out which type of contact lens best fits your comfort level, needs, and lifestyle. As a patient of Giliberti Eye and Laser Center, located in Passaic County, you will have access to the most advanced designs in the contact lens industry!
Call Giliberti Eye and Laser Center at (973) 595-0011 to learn about all of the different contact lens options!
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