Types of Contact Lenses

Are you considering contact lenses? Contact lenses offer a full field of vision instead of straight-ahead vision because they move with your eyes. Wearers prefer them because they are not susceptible to fogging and getting wet in the rain and collecting dust on the lens surface, and they can be safely worn while participating in other recreational activities. If you are interested in switching to contacts, our optometrists in Riverdale can help you decide with type is best for you.

Soft Contacts

Soft contact lenses are made from a flexible material that is exceptionally comfortable. Wearers often need very little time to adjust to the lenses. Soft contacts are great for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and mild to moderate astigmatisms. Wearers can choose to purchase lenses with varying replacement schedules, including daily, every two weeks, monthly or yearly.

Toric Lenses

Toric lenses are a type of soft contact that is weighted on one side to prevent the lens from rotating in the eye. These lenses are great for individuals with mild to moderate astigmatisms that cannot be corrected with soft contact lenses.

Gas Permeable Contacts

Gas permeable contacts are also known as hard contacts. These types of contact lenses are constructed from a rigid, oxygen-permeable material. Wearers typically need a couple of weeks to adjust to these lenses fully. However, they are perfect for correcting moderate to severe astigmatisms, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. They can even be worn by individuals who need prescriptions for near and distance vision.

Hybrid Contacts

Hybrid contacts contain a gas permeable center and a soft edge. These contacts can be used to correct the same refractive errors as soft and hard contact lenses, but they are much more comfortable to wear. They also require less adjustment time.

Scleral Contacts

Scleral contacts are large-diameter gas permeable lenses. They are specifically designed to vault entirely over the cornea, which makes them ideal for correcting severe astigmatisms and keratoconus. Individuals can also wear them with moderate to severe dry eye because the gap between the lens and the cornea creates a water reservoir that helps alleviate dry eye symptoms.

To schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists in Riverdale, NJ, call us at 973-248-0060.