The eye is a delicate sense organ that receives images and sends them to the brain. The eyes work by bending light, producing a focused image on the retina. 

Vision problems occur when there is a refractive error. Although eyeglasses and contact lenses can solve refractive errors, contact lenses provide a clearer vision, giving you a more natural view.

This article discusses the working principle of contact lenses and why you should consider them. Let’s get into it!

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are thin and clear plastic discs for improving vision. The lenses float on your tear film, covering the cornea. Furthermore, contact lenses are great for vision correction.

How Do Contact Lenses Work?

The working principle of contact lenses is refraction, just like eyeglasses. Usually, the eyes have blurry vision when light does not focus properly. Fortunately, contact lenses can bend light and focus it on the retina, resulting in clearer images.

Why Should You Consider Contact Lenses?

• Contact Lenses give you a natural field of view because they move with your eyes. Also, they don’t have frames that can obstruct your vision
• Unlike glasses, contact lenses do not get splattered by mud or rain. Also, contacts do not fog up
• Contact Lenses provide a more natural sight than eyeglasses
• They are excellent for sports and physical activities

What Vision Problems Do Contact Lenses Solve?

Because contacts this is work very fact in light, they can solve refractive vision errors including;

• Myopia – nearsightedness
• Hyperopia – farsightedness
• Astigmatism – distorted vision
• Presbyopia – loss of near vision

Are Contact Lenses Safe?

Contact lenses are safe. However, not handling them properly can cause discomfort, eye infections, or even damage your eyes. 

How To Handle Contact Lenses Properly?

• Thoroughly wash your hands and dry them properly before handling contacts to prevent infections
• Do not clean your contacts with tap water, bottled water, or saliva because they can introduce bacteria into your eyes
• Avoid reusing the solution in your contact lens case
• Always replace your contact lens case every few months
• Do not put your contacts in your eyes without inspecting them for damage

Types Of Contact Lenses

According to their material, contact lenses can be PMMA, soft, silicone hydrogel, gas permeable, or hybrid lenses.

• PMMA lenses: these lenses are from polymethyl methacrylate, which is a transparent, rigid plastic material. PMMA lenses are also known as hard contacts, and although they provide excellent optics, they can be pretty challenging to adapt to. Also, PMMA lenses do not transmit oxygen to the eyes.
• Soft lenses: these lenses are more comfortable than rigid lenses. They are from hydrogel, which is a gel-like, water-containing plastic. Soft lenses are very thin, conforming to the eye’s front surface
• Silicone-hydrogel lenses: these lenses are more porous and advanced than soft lenses. They also allow more oxygen to reach the cornea
• Gas permeable lenses: just like PMMA lenses, gas permeable lenses are rigid. However, they are more comfortable and porous, allowing oxygen to pass through them. Also, they provide a sharper vision than hydrogel lenses
• Hybrid lenses: these lenses provide crystal clear optics just like the gas permeable lens. They are also more comfortable than silicone hydrogel lenses. However, hybrid lenses are more difficult to fit, and they are more expensive to replace.

We can further categorize types of contact lenses according to their replacement schedule. Daily wear lenses require removal and cleaning every night, while you can use extended wear lenses overnight; however, you have to clean them once a week. 

Daily disposable lenses, on the other hand, should be discarded after a single-use, while you should discard disposable lenses every two weeks. 

Furthermore, it would be best if you discarded frequent replacement lenses monthly or every three months. Additionally, traditional or reusable lenses should be discarded every six months or more, depending on the lens. 

Conclusion

Contact Lenses correct vision errors by focusing images on the retina. Although there are several types of contact lenses, it is advisable to visit your optometrist for a prescription on the best contact lens for you.