Extended Wear Contact Lens

Extended wear contact lens are lenses that may be worn in an extended period of time unlike the daily wear contact lens.  These extended wear contact lenses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be worn without removal for up to seven days.

There are new developments for an extended wear contact lens.  Silicone hydrogel is a new type of soft contact lens material that permits more air to go to the cornea; the FDA approved this to be worn up to a month without removal.  This type of lens is called the continuous wear”.

Eye care practitioners are dubious with the use of extended wear contact lens because it increases the risk of infections, particularly to those who wears it overnight.  It poses higher risks because the eyes might get infection from the organisms that are trapped on the lenses.  They can thrive on the warm and moist environment and due to the lack of oxygen to the cornea; the eye is prone to infection from these organisms.  Caution must be applied whenever you are using extended wear contact lens as it can lead to mild infections to more serious conditions like blindness.

Because of the growing popularity of the disposable contact lens, extended wear contact lens is making a comeback.  The reason that people acquire eye infections is after they take off their extended lenses and despite cleaned with contact lens solution it was impossible to remove all the proteins and lipids and other deposits accumulated on the lens.  The contact lenses becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and whenever the individual wears the lenses again, it could cause infection and inflammation of the eyes. Today, the contact lenses are disposed after use and never to be used again, avoiding infection from contaminants.

The main causes of infections and discomfort can be attributed to improper cleaning and disinfecting but one also has to consider the lifestyle as well.  Make sure to avoid exposure to smoke, wearing the contact lens when swimming because this may also leas to serious complications due to infections.  Asking advice from an eye doctor if a extended contact lens is appropriate for a person’s requirement is a must.

Gas Permeable Contact Lens

Rigid gas permeable contacts (RGP) is another term for gas permeable contact lens.  It is the counterpart of the soft contact lens. In the 70s, gas permeable contacts were introduced to replace the polymer made contact lenses. The eyes need a lot of oxygen flow to the cornea, that is why gas permeable contacts is apt than the polycarbon kind. On the other hand silicone is oxygen permeable, which will result to a greater comfort and eye health.

If you compare soft contact lens and gas permeable contact lens, the former is easier to get used to.  If you review it properly, its benefits compensate for its detriments. One benefit is gas permeable contact lens retains its shape when one blinks.  Over soft contact lens, it tends to provide a crisper vision.  A gas permeable contact lens is tougher than a soft contact lens because it only breaks when someone steps over it while the latter tears easily.  Another benefit of gas permeable contact lens is they are made of materials that don’t contain water so proteins and lipids from the tears do not stick to the contact lens.  The odds of suffering from eye irritations, infections are very low compared to the soft contact lens.  The best benefit of gas permeable contacts is that they allow oxygen to pass through the corneas.  They prevent serious eye complications like inflammation of the cornea.

Most people prefer using gas permeable contact lenses even if they have different problems.  These people commonly suffer from astigmatism, presbyopia, or keratoconus.  If a person is suffering from astigmatism, it’s preferable to use it because it conforms to their desired sharpness.  Others who are afflicted with presbyopia prefers gas permeable contact lens because of its multi-focal designs.  On the other hand, people with keratoconus use these lenses because it prevents extreme visual distortion.  Gas permeable contacts are also highly recommended for use in extremely dry conditions, since their primary user tend to blink less.  This is exactly the basis of people who often use the computer to use gas permeable contact lens.


However, a gas permeable contact lens needs more effort for maintenance because they last longer than soft contact lens.  Just a final note, you need to go to an eye care specialist first before even buying a contact lens.

Eye Cleaning With Contact Lens Solution

A good contact lens solution is essential to keep your eyes from irritation because of prolonged use. Contact lens solution is employed to sanitize, maintain, and extend the life of your contact lens.

A contact lens solution must be able to sanitize your contact lens properly for a clearer vision and comfortable wear.  In the market, there are different available contact lens solution.  A person using contact lenses should know what’s the appropriate solution for their contact lens.

The first type of a contact lens solution is the cleaning solution, it takes away dirt, mucus, and debris that build up during use.  You must carefully rub the lenses to avoid it from breaking.  This type of cleaning solution usually involves hydrogen peroxide.

Only after the first solution before one can use the second solution.  Saline contact lens solution will rinse off the first solution from the lenses.  This is to neutralize the effect of the hydrogen peroxide contained in the cleaning solution.

The purpose of the third contact lens solution is to disinfect the lenses.  This solution kills and inhibits bacteria, fungus and other harmful microorganisms that stay on the lenses and can irritate and infect the eyes.  After cleaning and rinsing lenses, an enzymatic cleaner can be used to remove substances like protein.  This solution is in a tablet, it is dropped to the solution and kept overnight.

All-in-one solutions are also called multi-purpose solutions.  Cleaners, disinfectants and protein removers are in one bottle. All it needs to counteract the solution is the saline solution used after the contact lens overnight.

Finally, a rewetting solution is used.  These are drops that lubricate the lenses while they are being worn for long periods of time.  The main purpose of this solution is to moist the lenses to keep the lenses comfortable to wear.

Keep in mind that all contact lens solution should be thrown away after the date of expiration and always ask for advice from an ophthalmologist.

Buying Contact Lens

Contact lenses can be used for different purposes, it can either be as an eye correction lens, for cosmetic or restoration function.  These are lens that are usually placed in the cornea.  Rather than getting eyeglasses, most people buy contact lens because it’s more comfortable and also for cosmetic purposes.


An ophthalmologist or optometrist may give you an advice if you are planning to buy contact lens.  A person must undergo an eye examination before purchasing a contact lens to diagnose whether the eyes is suffering from ailments like myopia, hyper-metropia, astigmatism and so on.  After the consultation, this is the only time a person should decide what type of contact lens he or she will get.  The buyer might opt for a soft lens or a hard lens.  It is better to have a valid description from an ophthalmologist or optometrist before buying contact lenses.

When people buy contact lens they tend to be impulsive.  These contact lenses have different purposes this is why most people make mistakes in purchasing a pair.  Purchasing contact lens is a function of an individual’s choice and requirement.  The most important thing to consider is that the contact lens should fit comfortably to avoid eye sores, inflammation and abrasions.

Before one decides to buy contact lenses, one must be certain that the contact lens addresses the problem that has required the buyer to wear them.  It must properly fit the eye and must center correctly, move slightly especially if the eye is blinked, and of course, it must be of correct prescription.

Lastly, if you plan to buy contact lens, always ask the consent of an ophthalmologist and optometrist even if they are for cosmetic purposes, because they may recommend a brand that might suit your lovely eyes. You should only buy contact lenses that are FDA approved to be safe and avoid eye irritations caused by the contact lens.

It is very crucial to use caution and careful judgment whenever you want to buy contact lens.  Being too careless about buying a contact less may cause serious eye injuries, this is why it is of utmost importance to review and discern a product properly because we do not want to hurt the most important part of our face.

Contact Lens And Dry Eyes

Before, people with dry eyes are discouraged to wear contact lenses because this would make the symptoms turn for the worse. They never realized that dryness is a common occurrence also in contact lens wearer. Due to the advent of technology, people with dry eyes can now wear different contact lenses, from prescriptive to cosmetic. People with dry eyes can also wear the lenses for an extended period of time due to advances in lenses technology and lens care products.


The contact lens fro dry eyes tries to make sure that it won’t cause corneal scars and damage to eye tissues. Tears nourishes the eyes, failure to produce them leads to instability on the tear firm. Leading manufacturers and brands continue to invest on research and technology to make sure they can make the proper contact lens for dry eyes. They employ the use of new polymers, gels to so that it can retain water for the longest possible time.


Contact lens for dry eyes are created with different and special compounds that controls dryness and serves other purposes. Silicone hydrogel controls the water buildup and gives a soothing and comfortable feeling to the eyes. It provides moisture despite having lesser water.
Silicone hydrogel lenses are composed of materials that yield high oxygen permeability, allowing more oxygen to flow to the cornea.


There are also new polymers that are developed to address the dryness problem. Omarfilcon A is one particular polymer that is employed by manufacturers to come up with biocompatible contact lenses. It is specifically designed to fit comfortably and adjust to the characteristics of the eyes.Hydrophilic polymers is the main component of soft contact lenses, it keeps the lens moist and easy to wear. They will ensure that your eyes are properly hydrated.


The best contact lenses for dry eyes is a rigid gas permeable lenses. It does not dehydrate the eye because this type of contact lens of rigid plastic. The plastic that composes rigid gas permeable lenses is oxygen permeable.


Just a reminder, it is wiser to visit an eye practitioner to check if you are suffering from dry eyes. You have to make sure that you will follow all the instruction given in the manual to avoid eye complications, if ever your doctor gave you the permission to wear contact lens.

Types Of Cosmetic Contac Lens

Cosmetic contact lens grew popular because of colored lenses.  Colored lenses not only can be worn for their style but they can also be worn to correct vision disorder.  Cosmetic contact lens can attract people for its color change features but one must know that its not any different from a normal contact lens.

There are various cosmetic contact lens types.  One is a visibility tint, usually a very light tint colored light blue or green.  The purpose of the tint is not only about changing the color of your iris but it will also help when removing the contact lens because the color will outline it.  It’s not mainly meant to change eye color it is also meant for convenience.

Enhancement tints are cosmetic contact lens that is solid yet translucent tint usually darker than the visibility tint.  People prefer this type because it enhances their eye color.  A more intense effect in their eyes is achieved when using this cosmetic contact lens.
The next type of cosmetic contact lens is opaque tints that can drastically change eye color.  It is available in a wide variety of colors and basically made of solid patterns of colors.  Opaque lenses completely replace the natural color the eyes with the color of the lens, this is due to the fact that they are not transparent.  People use this to change to color of their eyes for various reasons.

Light filtering tints are another type of cosmetic contact lens.  This is the most recent advancement in the cosmetic lens technology.  It is practically made for sports use, it can mute some colors and enhance specific colors, for example the color of a tennis ball or a baseball.  Because of this technology, the ball is more prominent than the backdrop that gives the hitter greater chances of targeting the ball.

Now, you should be reminded that if you plan to use these cosmetic contact lenses, its best to ask an ophthalmologist or optometrist for advice. Doctors can make sure those contact lenses are appropriate for you.  They can analyze if your cosmetic contact lens needs prescription and they may also help you fit you with the proper lens to prevent eye infection or irritation.

Disposable Contact Lens

Disposable contact lenses are made to wear for only a certain period and must be replaced after the date of prescription.
Million pairs of eyes for vision correction have now used them. They are preferred by doctors and consumers because of their health and convenience.

The frequency of usage can determine what type of disposable contact it is. The term of replacement of disposable contact lenses, ranges from one day to two weeks.
Disposable contact lens have a shelf life of a month hence it’s called frequent replacement lenses, as compared to a reusable lens that has a stock life of six months or more. Disposable contact lenses also contact lenses that can be disposed even if one day of use, they are called one-day disposables. They have a lot of benefits but people prefer them for their convenience. There’s no hassle in cleaning or disinfecting them.
Once the lenses are taken off, it’s time to discard them. Since the lenses are replaced every time, the wearer always has a fresher, cleaner and sterile lens.

Disposable contact lens are healthier and more comfortable because even if there are accumulation of deposits due to tears. This deposit makes the lens less comfortable to wear and they can make the eyes prone to infection.

Before wearing disposable contact lens, it’s important to have a comprehensive eye examination, so that the optometrist or ophthalmologist can diagnose if your pair of eyes can wear contacts. Make sure to check the leading brands and always follow the instructions when it comes to replacing them.

On a final note, disposable lens should not be used again. Once you take them out of your eyes, discard them. Don’t extend the life of the lenses, by wearing them over the prescribed time, it may cause complications later. Consult your eye doctor if your eyes are irritated and become sensitive to light.

Disposable contact lens is a new, innovative way of wearing lenses; it’s less complicated and very convenient. Take a look at the leading brands and review them with your eye doctor.