{"id":5491,"date":"2025-12-10T14:19:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/?p=5491"},"modified":"2025-12-10T14:20:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:20:55","slug":"what-are-soft-contact-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/what-are-soft-contact-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Soft Contact Lenses?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5491\" class=\"elementor elementor-5491\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-563db12 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"563db12\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1421b0a\" data-id=\"1421b0a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9db7d8 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"a9db7d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-circle&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__a9db7d8\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__a9db7d8\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__a9db7d8\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c679f49\" data-id=\"c679f49\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67ef6f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67ef6f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/\" title=\"contact lenses\">contact lenses<\/a> are a great alternative to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyeglasses\/\" title=\"eyeglasses\">eyeglasses<\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5733b89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5733b89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Soft Contact Lens Characteristics<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-294a4d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"294a4d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft contacts are defined by their flexible materials and comfort features. They easily mold to your eye&#8217;s natural shape. A major benefit is their high level of <\/span>oxygen permeability<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning plenty of oxygen reaches your corneas.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft contacts come in several varieties based on the replacement schedule:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/daily-disposable\/\">Daily<\/a> &#8211;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Lenses designed to be worn for one day and then discarded.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/1-2-week-disposable\/\">Biweekly<\/a> &#8211;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Lenses that last for up to 14 days. You must remove and clean them nightly before reinsertion.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/monthly-disposable\/\">Monthly<\/a> &#8211;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Lenses you can use for up to 30 days. Like biweekly lenses, you must remove them before going to bed at night.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Extended Wear &#8211;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Lenses designed for continuous wear for up to seven days. You do not have to remove them every night, making them a convenient choice.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>You can also get specialized lenses such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/toric-lenses\/\">toric<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/bifocal-multifocal\/\">multifocal<\/a>, or spherical to address specific vision needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0059f42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0059f42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are Soft Contact Lenses Made Of?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ad55fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ad55fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft contacts are typically made of two types of flexible plastic materials: hydrogels or silicone hydrogels.<\/span><\/p><p>Hydrogels<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are traditional materials that have a higher water content. Lenses made of hydrogels usually provide a lower level of oxygen permeability. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/silicone-hydrogel\/\">Silicone hydrogels<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both materials are comfortable and durable. Manufacturers often balance water content and oxygen permeability to achieve the correct result for different wear schedules.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eb7ec1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0eb7ec1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Your Soft Contact Lens Prescription<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3137f8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3137f8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the terms found in your contact lens prescription:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88e3048 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"88e3048\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th>Element<\/th>\n      <th>Abbreviation<\/th>\n      <th>Purpose of the Measurement<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Spherical Power<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>SPH or PWR<\/td>\n      <td>The strength of the lens to correct nearsightedness (\u2212) or farsightedness (+).<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Base Curve<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>BC<\/td>\n      <td>The curvature of the contact\u2019s back surface in millimeters to match the natural curve of your eye.<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>DIA<\/td>\n      <td>The total size of the contact lens from edge to edge in millimeters.<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Cylinder<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>CYL<\/td>\n      <td>The amount of correction required for astigmatism.<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Axis<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>AX<\/td>\n      <td>The orientation of the astigmatism correction on the lens (0 to 180 degrees).<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Addition<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>ADD<\/td>\n      <td>The amount of added near power for people with presbyopia.<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td><strong>Oculus Dexter \/ Sinister<\/strong><\/td>\n      <td>OD \/ OS<\/td>\n      <td>OD means right eye (oculus dexter). OS means left eye (oculus sinister).<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1adb5d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1adb5d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe4494d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe4494d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Types of Contact Lenses\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e786ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e786ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>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.<\/p><p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/acuvue-oasys-for-astigmatism\/\">Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/biofinity-toric\/\">Biofinity Toric<\/a>. 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.<\/p><p>Popular multifocal lenses include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/air-optix-plus-hydraglyde-multifocal\/\">Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/dailies-total-1-multifocal\/\">Dailies Total1 Multifocal<\/a>. Colored Lenses change your iris hue and are available with or without vision correction. Popular brands include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/freshlook-colorblends\/\">FreshLook ColorBlends<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/contacts\/air-optix-colors\/\">Air Optix Colors<\/a>.<\/p><p>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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e598733 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e598733\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Handle and Remove Soft Contacts\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-015d9da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"015d9da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a9e359 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2a9e359\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Booking Your Contact Lens Exam\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec5cfef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec5cfef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"semantictags":[],"class_list":["post-5491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knowledge-center"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5491"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5505,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5491\/revisions\/5505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5491"},{"taxonomy":"semantictags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.1800getlens.com\/eyetopics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/semantictags?post=5491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}