Contact lenses

The eyes, as they say, are the mirror of the human soul. It is through our eyes that we get about 80% of the information from the outside world. Unfortunately, it happens that since the birth or as a result of various diseases our vision deteriorates. In this case, you must immediately visit an ophthalmologist and take immediate measures to cure the disease. Treatment specialists offer their patients special drops, glasses and contact lenses. Which is better to choose lenses, we will tell in detail in our article.

Which is better to choose contact lenses: the main criteria

There are many different types of contact lenses. It is highly undesirable to select them yourself, since this is fraught with deterioration of vision. Consult with the ophthalmologist, pass inspection, and then safely go to optics and order lenses suitable you.

Contact lenses are known to be divided into several groups, in particular:

• on production material (hard and soft);
• in accordance with the mode of wearing (long, flexible, day, prolonged);
• by frequency of replacement;
• by type of transparency (colored, transparent);
• on the design of the lens used (multifocal, spherical, aspherical, toric);
• by type of appointment (cosmetic, sports, therapeutic, decorative);
• special (hybrid, orthokeratological, scleral).

See how many varieties of lenses exist. Only the attending specialist can select the type you need. Decorative lenses are chosen solely for changing the color of the eyes or hiding the yellowness of the eyeball. But special lenses are prescribed for certain diseases.

For the manufacture of lenses using a special material. Depending on this, they can be divided into two groups:

• hydrogel;
• silicone hydrogel.

Hydrogel lenses began to be produced in the second half of the 20th century. For this purpose, a special material, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, was used. These lenses for 38-40% consisted of water, so well passed oxygen to the eye cornea. They were used for everyday wear, because the eyes get used to them very quickly.

Over time, manufacturers have offered improved contact hydrogel lenses with silicone. As you already understood, hydrogel and silicone are used for their production. Such lenses have become very popular because they already contained water. Unlike hydrogel lenses, they do not need to be constantly supplied with tear fluid. Such lenses began to be used prolonged, while the eyes do not experience oxygen hypoxia.

Optimal lens wear

As already mentioned, contact lenses are classified and the term of wearing. Some lenses are designed only for wearing during the day, so you need to take them off at night and let your eyes rest. Flexible lenses can be worn without removing for 1-2 days. There are lenses of the so-called extended wear. They can not be removed within 7 calendar days. You can also purchase lenses for continuous use. With such lenses you can walk up to 30 days.

It is not recommended to independently determine the appropriate type of wearing lenses, since you can harm your health. The doctor will individually determine the regimen, and in accordance with this you will acquire suitable lenses.

Decide also for yourself which wearing mode is comfortable for you. The best and best option is to wear day lenses, because at night the eyes rest. If you are planning to spend a weekend in nature or on a trip, then it is better to use flexible lenses. If you need to leave for a long time and at the same time you will be away from civilization, then contact lenses designed for continuous wear will be the best option.

How to choose a lens for astigmatism?

Many modern people suffer from such a disease as astigmatism. This pathology is associated with a violation of the shape of the cornea, lens and the eye as a whole. As a result of the development of such a disease, a person loses the ability to clearly see objects. In this case, special lenses should be used for vision correction.

Only the optometrist will be able to choose which particular lenses will be suitable for astigmatism for this or that person. Most often, toric lenses are used to correct vision for this ailment.

Astigmatic lenses have several advantages, such as:

• the ability to focus all transmitted rays on the eye retina at one point;
• improving air conversion and preventing the development of oxygen hypoxia;
• protect your eyes from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Treatment specialists in the field of ophthalmology strongly recommend seeking only qualified help. Incorrectly chosen lenses in this case can lead to the development of complicated consequences and serious pathologies of vision.

Soft or hard lenses - what to wear?

Each type of lens is assigned individually. Of course, soft lenses are worn much easier and the person does not feel discomfort and does not feel pressure on the cornea. Such lenses are most often prescribed for vision correction with the development of astigmatism, long-sightedness or myopia. Cosmetic lenses are also made of soft materials that change the color of the eyes.

Through the capillary effect, soft-type lenses are retained on the eye. Simply put, they are fixed by the tension of the fluid. These lenses, in turn, are divided into two categories:

• with a low percentage of moisture content;
• with high moisture levels.

With the development of serious pathologies of view, doctors may prescribe the wearing of rigid lenses. When blinking such lenses will be noticeable, because they exert some pressure on the eye cornea. Hard lenses are not deformed, which allows to increase the vision. Mostly in practice, gas permeable lenses are used, which include fluorine and silicone.

Independently determine the type of stiffness is simply impossible. Only a qualified ophthalmologist can make such a choice based on the degree of development of the pathology and other related factors.

Lens diameter, optical power and radius of curvature

Each of the above factors is important to consider when choosing contact lenses. Also, their choice takes into account the following parameters:

• radius of curvature;
• the number of diopters;
• diameter.

The diameter of the lens is chosen by the attending specialist in accordance with the size of the cornea. On average, this figure varies from 13 to 15 mm. The radius of curvature is also determined by individual indicators. For this, the oculist determines the curvature of the cornea. Based on this parameter, a lens is made, the curvature of the back wall of which should correspond to the specified value to the maximum.

Optical power is measured in diopters. This indicator is also highly individual. Due to this, the lenses correct the vision and allow it to be focused.

Reviews of wearing different lenses

At various forums you can find a lot of reviews about wearing lenses. Some people are still afraid to change their glasses to lenses, and this is quite justifiable fear, because you still need to get used to them.

Many people leave reviews about choosing lenses on their own. They are satisfied with the choice and do not experience discomfort when wearing them. They are fabulously lucky, since it’s almost impossible to choose the lenses on their own.

Experienced people who wear lenses for more than one year, leave feedback that it is better to seek help from an optometrist. Almost everyone says that in addition to the correct choice of lenses, you need to choose the right liquid for storing and washing them. It is impossible to argue with this, but it is also better to contact a specialist in order not to provoke the development of an allergic reaction or other complicated consequences.

Many people now choose contact lenses for the Acuvue Oasis. Reviews of this device for vision correction are only positive. There are countless different lenses in this series. Some use only one-day lenses. It is very convenient, despite the high price category.

Nature has endowed man with the ability to see and feel what is happening around us. This world is beautiful. If you have vision problems, it is better to consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner and correct it using contact lenses. Be healthy!