Contact Lenses: What is it, How it Works, Guide, and Advantages

What is the Importance of Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are a hugely important piece of eyewear as they help correct refraction errors and allow people to see better which can improve their quality of life. Contact lenses are also important as they are more convenient than glasses, and may be more aesthetically pleasing to some than glasses. Contact lenses are a type of lens that rests on the surface of the eye, helping correct refraction errors such as myopia or nearsightedness that can cause issues such as blurry sight. Contact lenses are important as they help correct vision issues, which can in turn help people to live easier lives as they can see clearer and complete daily tasks without disruption. Contact lenses are also important for practical reasons. As contact lenses rest on the surface of the eye, as opposed to being worn on the face like glasses, contact lenses are also more convenient for people, especially those who have active lifestyles or play sports.

How Does a Contact Lens Differ from Prescription Lenses?

Contact lenses can technically be the same thing as prescription lenses, as contact lenses will generally have a prescription or power within them to correct a refractive error. However, if referring to whether there is a difference between contact lenses and prescription glasses lenses, there are some differences. Contact lenses differ from prescription glasses lenses in the way that they are worn. Contact lenses are small, thin lenses that are worn on the tear film or surface of the eye to help correct refraction errors such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Prescription glasses lenses that are in a glasses frame are worn on the face. As contact lenses and prescription lenses sit on your eyes at different distances, this also affects the prescription power. Factors such as the curve and size of the eye are taken into consideration with contact lenses.

What are Contact Lenses Made Out Of?

The material that contact lenses are made out of is dependent upon what type of contact lens they are but can include hydrogel and silicone hydrogel. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are several types of contact lenses including soft contact lenses,  gas permeable (GP) contact lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses (RPG). Soft contact lenses are often made from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. According to the Optometrists Network,  silicone hydrogel and hydrogel both make plastic lenses that are flexible, soft when hydrated, and hard when dry. According to Haworth, Travis, Abariga, Fuller and Pucker, hydrogel lenses have a higher water concentration than silicone hydrogel and let in lower amounts of oxygen to the eye. Gas permeable (GP) contact lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses (RPG) are a type of hard contact lens made with firm, oxygen-permeable silicone polymers according to the Cleveland Clinic, allowing oxygen to pass more easily through to the eye.

What are the Different Types of Contact Lenses?

There are two main types of contact lenses; soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses. The types of contact lenses can also be categorised by the amount of time that you can wear them, such as extended wear and daily contact lenses. The different types of contact lenses are listed below.

• Soft Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses are types of contacts made from soft materials such as silicone hydrogels or hydrogel and are softer and more flexible, easier to take in and out of the eye. Soft contact lenses, however, may absorb pollutants easier than hard contact lenses, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
• Hard Contact Lenses: Hard contact lenses also known as gas permeable (GP) or rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses are made from oxygen-permeable silicone polymers, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Hard contact lenses are stiffer and more durable than soft contact lenses.
• Extended Wear Contact Lenses: Extended wear contact lenses are contact lenses designed to be worn during the day and can be reused for an extended period of time. It is important to follow the instructions from your healthcare provider on how long contact lenses can be worn for.
• Daily Wear Contact Lenses: Daily contact lenses are contact lenses worn during the day only. Daily contact lenses can be single-use, designed to be worn once during the day only, then disposed of. Daily contact lenses may also be stored and used again, depending on what your eye care provider has advised.

What are the Refractive Errors that Can be Fixed by Using Contact Lenses?

The different types of refractive errors that may be corrected by using contact lenses are presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism. A refractive error occurs when light entering the eye is not refracted onto the retina properly. The retina is located at the back of the eye and contains photoreceptor cells. These photoreceptor cells take the light that enters the eye and changes it into electrical signals to send to the brain, according to Nguyen, Patel and Tadi P in their paper Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eye Retina. Contact lenses help to correct refractive errors by directing the light that enters the eye to the proper place on the retina, allowing the eye to see properly. The refractive errors that can be corrected by contact lenses are listed below.

• Presbyopia: Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition in which the lens of the eye loses elasticity and becomes hard, leading to issues with near vision.
• Hyperopia: Hyperopia or farsightedness is a refractive error in which light lands behind the retina instead of on the retina leading to issues with near vision.
• Myopia: Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error in which light hits before the retina not on the retina as it should, resulting in issues with far vision.
• Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a type of refractive error in which the cornea or lens is too curved, leading to light not hitting the retina properly and blurry near and distance vision.

How to Choose a Contact Lens?

Choosing contact lenses is easy if you understand your prescription and lifestyle needs. According to Bupa Optical, there are four main things to consider when finding the right contacts for you. These include the lens material, the length of time you can wear them, whether you need an outside/inside option and what contacts are best for your prescription. In terms of lens material, you can choose between hard and soft contacts. You will need to decide whether you prefer disposable contacts that you wear daily or extended-wear contacts that you take out each night, clean and wear the next day. There are also different types of contact lenses that are worn for certain prescription needs and scenarios including transition contact lenses and multifocal contact lenses. Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses or take appointments for contact lenses.

How Long Should You Wear Contact Lenses?

The length of time you should wear contact lenses depends on the type. There are some kinds of contacts that are for daily wear only that require disposal at the end of the day. Therefore, these types of contacts should only be worn for a day. According to the FDA, there are extended-wear contact lenses that you can wear overnight and even continuously wear for up to 30 days. To find out what contact lenses are right for you, book an appointment with your optometrist who can talk you through the options. At Oscar Wylee, we do not provide contact lenses or appointments for contact lenses.

How Much Do Contact Lenses Cost?

How much contact lenses cost depends on the type of lens and the brand, as well as whether the lenses are single-use or reusable and long wear. At Oscar Wylee, we do not sell contact lenses.

How Long Do Contact Lenses Last?

How long contact lenses last depends on the type you have. There are some contacts such as daily disposable contact lenses that are non-reusable, meaning you wear them once during the day and then throw them away when you take them out. Other daily-use contact lenses may be used during the day and stored when taken out, able to be reused. Extended-wear contacts may be able to be reused for several days. It is important to check with your healthcare provider for how long contacts can be used for. Contact lenses shouldn’t be worn overnight unless specified. It is important to note that Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses or the associated equipment.

What are the Do's and Don't of Contact Lenses?

There are some general dos and don'ts when it comes to using contact lenses, however, it is always important to check with your healthcare provider and follow their instructions on how to use contact lenses. It is important to note that Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses or the associated equipment. The do’s of contact lenses include do make sure you wash your hands before touching contact lenses, do follow your health care provider’s instructions on how to use contact lenses and do store contact lenses correctly. The don’ts of contact lenses include don’t wear contact lenses whilst swimming, don’t rinse contact lenses with tap water and don’t wear contact lenses that haven’t been prescribed to you.The dos and don’ts of contact lenses are listed below.

• Do make sure you wash your hands before touching contact lenses: It is important that a person washes their hands before touching contact lenses as unclean hands can spread germs and bacteria onto the lens, which can then transfer into the eye.
• Do follow your healthcare provider's instructions on how to use contact lenses: It is important to follow the instructions that your healthcare provider has given in regards to how contact lenses are used, the length of time contacts can be used and the replacement time for contacts.
• Do store lenses correctly: Storing contact lenses correctly, including using their case and any contact lenses solution, is important to ensure that they stay sanitary and in good condition.
• Don’t wear contact lenses whilst swimming: It is not recommended to use contact lenses when swimming as the lenses may trap harmful organisms or bacteria in the eye. It is also not advised to shower or bath with contacts in.
• Don’t rinse contact lenses with tap water: It is not advised to rinse contact lenses in tap water as tap water can contain bacteria and viruses that may harm the eye.
• Don’t wear contact lenses that haven’t been prescribed to you: It is important that a person only wears the contact lenses that have been prescribed to them as sharing lenses is unsanitary and may not help with your vision issues.

Can Wearing Contact Lenses Cause Dry Eyes?

Wearing contact lenses can cause dry eyes as the lens partially blocks oxygen from entering the eye. The symptoms of dry eyes include red eyes, irritation and a feeling of scratchiness. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine titled, Contact lens wear and dry eyes: challenges and solutions, dry eyes is the most commonly reported symptom of wearing contact lenses. For people who suffer from dry eyes, there are contact lenses made specifically to prevent discomfort caused by this eye condition. These contact lenses are designed so that they don't come into contact with the cornea, preventing irritation.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Contact Lenses?

Wearing contact lenses may cause certain side effects that can prevent the wearer from continuing to use them or require trying a different type. According to BetterHealth Victoria, the possible side effects of contact lenses include dry eyes, eye inflammation, eye infections and allergic reactions. These side effects and their definitions are listed below.

• Dry eyes: Contact lenses can cause the eyes to become dry, creating a feeling of scratchiness and irritation. Contacts may cause dry eyes as they partially block oxygen from entering the eye.
• Eye inflammation: Wearing contact lenses may cause eye inflammation, specifically inflammation of the cornea. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not washing your contact lens supplies properly can increase your risk of eye inflammation.
• Eye infections: Developing an eye infection is a possible side effect of wearing contact lenses. Eye infections that contact lenses can cause include keratitis and conjunctivitis.
• Allergic reactions: Contact lenses may cause an allergic reaction as the wearer could be allergic to the lens itself or the contact lens solution. Eye allergy symptoms include red eyes, itchy eyes and irritation.

Who Can Wear Contact Lenses?

Many different people can wear and benefit from contact lenses, including children and adults. According to BetterHealth Victoria, people may not be suitable to wear contact lenses if they have allergies, work with chemicals, work in a dusty environment, have arthritis or diabetes or if their eyes are drier than normal. To determine if you can wear contact lenses, speak to your optometrist and they can advise what is best for your prescription and lifestyle needs. At Oscar Wylee, we do not sell contact lenses or provide contact lens appointments.