12 Different Types of Contact Lenses

1. Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are a type of soft contact lens that is made with a silicone hydrogel material. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses contain silicone, a type of polymer and hydrogel, which is a gel-like water-based polymer, according to the Optometrists Network. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are made with high oxygen permeable polymers, according to Science Direct, with the aim of allowing more oxygen to the cornea. The pros of silicone hydrogel lenses are that the combination of silicone and hydrogel increases oxygen permeability and may be better for long-term use, according to the Optometrists Network. The cons of silicone hydrogel contact lenses is that they may pick up more debris than other types of contact lenses.

2. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses

Rigid gas permeable lenses (RPG), also known as gas permeable contact lenses (GP) are a type of hard contact lens. Rigid gas permeable lenses (RPG) are made with firm, oxygen-permeable silicone polymers according to the Cleveland Clinic. The pros of rigid gas permeable lenses (RPG) are that the polymers these contact lenses are made with allow for oxygen to pass more easily to the eye than other types of contact lenses do. RPG contact lenses may allow the wearer to use the contact lenses for longer and they may be more comfortable according to the University of Iowa’s Health Care Department. The cons of RPG contact lenses is that they may have a longer adjustment period than soft contact lenses as they can be felt more on the eye than soft lenses.

3. Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses are contact lenses that have been designed to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a refractive error in which there is an issue with the curvature of the eyeball that causes blurry near and far vision. The irregular shape of the eyeball means light doesn't hit the retina as normal when it enters the eye, instead hitting several points and leading to blurred near and far vision. The pro of toric contact lenses is that they help those with astigmatism see clearer. The con is that they may be more expensive than spherical lenses.

4. Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are a type of rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lens that is bigger than most types of contact lenses and rests over the sclera, the white part of the eye, as opposed to on the cornea. According to the University of Iowa’s Health Care Department, sclera contact lenses are good for people who have issues with the cornea such as a keratoconus or a previous corneal transplant. The pro of scleral contact lenses is that they are a good option for those who are not suitable for other types of soft or hard contact lenses due to corneal issues. The con of scleral contact lenses is that they can be more expensive than other types of contact lenses.

5. Cosmetic (Decorative) Contact Lenses

Cosmetic or decorative contact lenses are contact lenses that do not always have a prescription in them and are not primarily used for correcting vision issues, instead, they are used for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes. Cosmetic contact lenses can include coloured contact lenses that rest over the eye and give the iris the appearance of a different colour. The pro of cosmetic or decorative contact lenses is that they can change the appearance of the iris colour. The con of cosmetic contact lenses is that they can be sold over-the-counter at retail stores, cosmetic stores or online retailers. Contact lenses bought from places that are not professional optometry stores may be harmful and cause irritation to the eyes. If you want to use contact lenses, it is recommended to consult with an optometrist first.

6. Progressive or Multifocal Contact Lenses

Progressive contact lenses also known as multifocal contact lenses are a type of contact lens that has three prescriptions or powers over one lens to help correct near, middle and far distance vision issues. Progressive or multifocal contact lenses can be either hard or soft contact lenses. There are also daily wear and extended wear multifocal contact lenses. The pros of progress of  multifocal lenses is that they help a person see at all distances at once. The con is that multifocal contact lenses may be more expensive than single prescription contact lenses.

7. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Contact Lenses

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contact lenses are contact lenses that are worn to help reshape the cornea part of the eye and improve vision issues. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Ortho-K contact lenses work by flattening the centre of the cornea and changing how light is refracted when it enters the eye. Ortho-K contact lenses are often worn overnight to help reshape the cornea and improve vision issues, generally myopia or nearsightedness. Myopia is a refractive error in which light lands before the retina as opposed to on the retina, leading to issues with far vision such as blurriness. Myopia can be caused by issues with the shape of the cornea.

8. Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Daily disposable contact lenses are contact lenses that are worn for one day, and then disposed of. There are a variety of contact lenses available depending on how long a person wants to wear them. Daily disposable contact lenses are one-use contacts that are worn during the day, then thrown out at the end of the day and not worn at night. A person using daily disposable contact will have a fresh pair of contacts every day. Daily disposable contact lenses will have a person’s prescription over the lens and can be used to fix a variety of vision just like any other contacts or prescription glasses. The pros of using daily disposable contacts are that they are single use and don't need to be stored or cleaned daily like longer-use lenses.

9. Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses are a type of contact lens that is designed to be worn for an extended period of time. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, extended wear contact lenses can be worn from one week, up to four weeks, depending on the type and what an optometrist recommends. Extended wear contact lenses can be made from a silicone hydrogel material. The advantage of extended wear contact lenses is that they are convenient, as once they are in, a person does not have to deal with them, there is less upkeep. The disadvantages of extended wear contact lenses is that they may make people more prone to eye infections such as corneal infections.

10. Planned Replacement Contact Lenses

Planned replacement contact lenses are a type of extended wear contact lenses that are worn for a planned period of time, and then replaced. According to Holzchuh, Coral-Ghanem and Edrington, hydrogel lenses that are replaced every 3 to 6 months are considered planned replacement contact lenses. Planned replacement contact lenses can be a variety of materials and have a range of wear times. Extended wear contact lenses refer to how long contact lenses are worn, whereas planned replacement lenses are concerned with how often one pair of contacts is replaced.

11. PMMA Contact Lenses

PMMA contact lenses refer to contact lenses made from polymethyl methacrylate. According to All About Vision, when contact lenses were first made in the 1940s, they were commonly made with PMMA. PMMA contact lenses are not often prescribed to patients at the current moment as PMMA is a rigid material that does not let much oxygen into the eye.

12. Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses refer to contact lenses that are a combination of hard rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and soft lenses. According to the Miami Contact Lens Institute, hybrid contact lenses have a hard centre and a soft edge or skirt. The benefit of hybrid contact lenses is that the hard centre provides clearer vision that hard lenses have, whilst the soft skirt offers the ease of wear that softer contact lenses provide. Hybrid contact lenses are used for people who have eye health conditions that make using normal contacts difficult.

How to Choose What Type of Contact Lens to Use?

Choosing what type of contact lenses to use is important and depends on your prescription needs and lifestyle. The factors involved in choosing contact lenses include discussing your options with your optometrist, how often you want to wear them, what works best for your prescription and whether you want long-wear or short-wear contact lenses.  It is important to note that Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses or the associated equipment, nor do we provide contact lens appointments.  These factors for choosing contact lenses and their definitions are listed below.

• Discuss with your optometrist: When choosing contact lenses, you will need to discuss your options with an optometrist who can provide advice on what contacts may be best for your lifestyle and prescription.
• How often you wear them: How often you are planning to wear your contacts can impact your choice as there are types such as rigid gas permeable contacts that need to be worn daily to remain comfortable.
• Prescription needs: Your prescription can determine what type of contact lenses you need. For example, if you need vision correction for multiple refractive errors you may need multifocal (progressive) contacts.
• Daily or extended wear contacts: There are two main types of contacts in terms of wear schedule, which are daily wear or extended wear. Daily wear are worn during the day and taken out at night. Extended wear can be worn in the day and overnight for one to multiple nights in a row depending on the specific type.

What are the Advantages of Contact Lenses?

There are many advantages of contact lenses that can make a patient choose them over wearing glasses. According to the American Optometric Association, the advantages of contact lenses include they are great for sports, they offer a natural field of view and they are less likely to get dirty or smudged. These advantages and their definitions are listed below.

• Great for sports: Contact lenses are a great option for people who play sports and are involved in other forms of physical activity as they do not get in the way or are at risk of falling off your face. Wearing glasses when playing sports can be dangerous and could damage a person’s eyes if you get hit in the face.
• Natural field of view: Wearing contacts provides a natural field of view as they are placed directly on the eye rather than over them like glasses. Therefore, there is less obstruction as the contacts move with your eyes.
• Less likely to get dirty or smudged: Contact lenses are less likely to get dirty or smudged than glasses as they rest in the eye and are not touched by the hands throughout the day. It is important to clean your contact lenses as directed however as they may still collect dirt and debris.

What are the Disadvantages of Contact Lenses?

There are a number of disadvantages of wearing contact lenses that can include the increased likelihood of developing dry eyes, an eye infection and their high-maintenance nature. The disadvantages of contact lenses are listed below.

• Dry eyes: Wearing contact lenses may increase the risk of developing dry eyes due to the increased friction between the eye and the contact lens.
• Eye infection: Contact lenses may lead to the development of an eye infection known as keratitis, which can occur as a result of an eye injury or wearing contact lenses for extended periods of time, which can lead to a build-up of protein deposits and debris.
• High-maintenance: Contact lenses require high-maintenance care to ensure they are stored properly and cleaned well before and after use. It is important to follow a specific consistent cleaning regimen to prevent eye infections and general discomfort in the eye.

Are Contact Lenses Better Than Glasses?

Contact lenses are not better than glasses and glasses are not better than contact lenses, they are simply different corrective devices that may be more suited to certain people. Contact lenses are a better choice for people who play sports or don’t want to deal with the maintenance of glasses. On the other hand, glasses may be a better choice for people with sensitive eyes or who want to make a fashion statement with their glasses.