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Soft contact lenses are a great alternative to eyeglasses for many people. They are made of soft, flexible plastic that allows more oxygen to reach your corneas. This allows for comfortable wear so you can see clearly without having to adjust your lenses all day long.
Before soft lenses were developed, many people wore rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts. RGP lenses are smaller and more prone to falling out, making soft lenses a better fit for users who play sports or lead active lifestyles.
Soft Contact Lens Characteristics
Soft contacts are defined by their flexible materials and comfort features. They easily mold to your eye’s natural shape. A major benefit is their high level of oxygen permeability, meaning plenty of oxygen reaches your corneas.
Soft contacts come in several varieties based on the replacement schedule:
- Daily – Lenses designed to be worn for one day and then discarded.
- Biweekly – Lenses that last for up to 14 days. You must remove and clean them nightly before reinsertion.
- Monthly – Lenses you can use for up to 30 days. Like biweekly lenses, you must remove them before going to bed at night.
- Extended Wear – Lenses designed for continuous wear for up to seven days. You do not have to remove them every night, making them a convenient choice.
You can also get specialized lenses such as toric, multifocal, or spherical to address specific vision needs.
What Are Soft Contact Lenses Made Of?
Soft contacts are typically made of two types of flexible plastic materials: hydrogels or silicone hydrogels.
Hydrogels are traditional materials that have a higher water content. Lenses made of hydrogels usually provide a lower level of oxygen permeability. Silicone hydrogels are an advanced material that allows significantly more oxygen to reach your eyes. This high oxygen flow is a major benefit for eye health during long wear times.
Both materials are comfortable and durable. Manufacturers often balance water content and oxygen permeability to achieve the correct result for different wear schedules.
Understanding Your Soft Contact Lens Prescription
At first glance, a soft contact lens prescription can look confusing. It includes many abbreviations and numbers. However, once you know what all the terms mean, it is easy to decipher.
Your prescription is measured differently than a glasses prescription because contacts sit directly on your eye. The surface area is smaller, and the lens must precisely match the curve of your eyeball.
Here are the terms found in your contact lens prescription:
| Element | Abbreviation | Purpose of the Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Spherical Power | SPH or PWR | The strength of the lens to correct nearsightedness (−) or farsightedness (+). |
| Base Curve | BC | The curvature of the contact’s back surface in millimeters to match the natural curve of your eye. |
| Diameter | DIA | The total size of the contact lens from edge to edge in millimeters. |
| Cylinder | CYL | The amount of correction required for astigmatism. |
| Axis | AX | The orientation of the astigmatism correction on the lens (0 to 180 degrees). |
| Addition | ADD | The amount of added near power for people with presbyopia. |
| Oculus Dexter / Sinister | OD / OS | OD means right eye (oculus dexter). OS means left eye (oculus sinister). |
Contact prescriptions also list the lens brand, material, issue date, and expiration date. Correction needs for each eye can be different. As long as your contacts help you see clearly and comfortably, it is fine if the numbers for your left eye do not match your right eye.
Types of Contact Lenses
Several types of contact lenses are available, each designed to correct specific vision problems. Most disposable contacts are available on daily, weekly, or monthly replacement schedules.
Spherical Lenses correct single-vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness. Toric Lenses are soft contacts specially designed to correct astigmatism in addition to nearsightedness and farsightedness. Popular toric lenses include Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism and Biofinity Toric. Multifocal Lenses contain two or more prescription strengths. They provide clear vision at both distance and near, and are typically prescribed when a person has presbyopia.
Popular multifocal lenses include Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal and Dailies Total1 Multifocal. Colored Lenses change your iris hue and are available with or without vision correction. Popular brands include FreshLook ColorBlends and Air Optix Colors.
Numerous types of contact lenses have also been developed to help minimize dry eye symptoms associated with contact use. Speak with your eye doctor about the best fit for your needs during your next contact lens consultation.
How to Handle and Remove Soft Contacts
Once you find the correct pair of soft contacts, you must know how to handle and remove them safely. Proper hygiene is the most important rule. You must wash your hands first. Otherwise, you can easily transfer bacteria, dirt, and other substances to your eyes.
After washing and drying your hands, the process is simple: look toward the ceiling, hold your eyelid open with your non-dominant hand, and use your dominant hand to slide the lens out of your eye. Repeat this process with the other contact.
Booking Your Contact Lens Exam
Contact lenses are a viable solution for clear vision. They correct refractive errors by precisely bending light onto the retina. Because they sit directly on the eye, they require different measurements than glasses.
If you are thinking about making the switch to contacts, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They can perform a contact lens exam to determine the exact fit and lens type that works best for your eyes.
