Contact lenses are vision aids for those of you who are reluctant to use glasses or surgery for minus, plus, or cylinder eyes. The use of soft lenses is more popular than hard lenses because they are more flexible and adaptable to the shape of the eye.
Table of Content
1. Various types of contact lenses
2. Difference between the soft lens and hard Lens
3. Risks of using contact lenses
Not only as a vision aid, but the use of contact lenses is also increasingly popular to enhance appearance. Before deciding to use contact lenses, first identify the types of soft lenses and hard lenses, as well as the risks of their use for the following eye health.
Various types of contact lenses
Contact lenses are the right choice for people who need better vision without the use of glasses or LASIK surgery.
You may be more familiar with the term softlens. However, contact lenses themselves are actually just one type of contact lens.
There are at least five types of contact lenses that you can find, namely:
1. Soft lenses. Soft lenses are made of silicone hydrogel. The material allows water and oxygen to flow into the cornea of the eye so it doesn’t dry out the eye.
2. Hard lenses. This type of contact lens is made of plastic so it is stiffer than soft lenses. However, because of their rigid nature, usually using hard lenses is no more comfortable than soft lenses.
3. Extended wear contact lenses. Long-term wearing contact lenses allow you to wear them overnight and don’t need to take them off while sleeping. Usually, this type of contact lens can both deliver oxygen to the cornea
4. Multifocal contact lenses. As the name implies, these contact lenses allow you to have two types of focus in the same lens. This means that you can overcome minus or plus eyes at once. These contact lenses can also help with cylinder eyes.
5. Scleral contact lenses. Scleral contact lenses cover the entire eye, including the white of the eye ( sclera ). Scleral contact lenses are useful for treating eye problems such as keratoconus, severe dry eye, and other corneal deformities.
Difference between a Soft lens and a Hard lens
Although there are several types of contact lenses, the most popular are soft lenses and hard lenses.
The difference between the soft lens and hard lens, among others:
1. Softlens
As previously explained, contact lenses are made of plastic such as a gel containing hydrogel or water. These lenses are very thin and flexible and conform to the front surface of the eye.
Softlens is probably the most widely used type of contact lens to treat visual impairments, such as:
1. Nearsightedness ( hypermetropia )
2. Nearsightedness ( myopia )
3. Cylindrical eye (astigmatism)
4. Old eyes (presbyopia)
Its flexible nature makes you comfortable in wearing soft lenses. This is what makes soft lenses more popular than other types of contact lenses.
Soft lenses must be replaced and cleaned regularly. Generally, you will need to remove and clean the soft lenses every night.
However, there are also contact lenses that can be used for weeks or even months.
Long-term use is not recommended because it can cause a buildup of dirt under the lens to cause infection and other complications.
2. Hard lens
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses or hard lenses are rigid contact lenses with pores that still allow oxygen to enter the cornea.
Hard lenses provide clearer and sharper vision than soft lenses, especially if you have cylindrical eyes.
In addition, hard lenses are also more durable when compared to soft lenses.
You can try this type of contact lens if you are uncomfortable or experience dry eyes when using soft lenses.
Compared to contact lenses, it may take you a few days to weeks to adapt and become more comfortable using hard lenses.
Not much different from soft lenses, hard lenses must also be regularly removed and cleaned at night. However, some brands may be used for a week or even a month.
Risks of using contact lenses
You may need to try on several types of contact lenses before finding one that really suits your eyes.
Consulting with an eye doctor can be the right way to choose the type of contact lens that suits your eye condition. The doctor will first perform an eye examination to determine if you have vision problems.
In addition to choosing the right contact lenses, this can also avoid you from the risk of using contact lenses that harm your eyes.
Quoted from the United States Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, some of the risks of improper use of contact lenses include:
1. Eye irritation
2. eye infection
3. Corneal ulcer
4. Conjunctivitis or red eyes
5. Corneal abrasions ( corneal abrasion )
6. Blindness
When you have problems wearing these contact lenses, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
1. Discomfort in the eyes
2. Tear in the eye
3. Sensitive to light
4. Itchy eyes
5. Burning sensation
6. Eye sensation like sand
7. Redness
8. Blurred vision
9. Swollen
10. Pain or pain
However, this risk can certainly be minimized by taking good care of soft lenses or other contact lenses.