How to choose the right contact lenses

The choice of the right type of lenses is a decision you should make in consultation with your eye specialist.

The right choice depends on numerous factors, including:

• the so-called refractive error
• the amount of contact your eyes can tolerate with the lens
• your specific expectations
• how you will be able to maintain the lenses properly
• etc.

Here are a number of considerations to think about before you have your eyes examined regarding which contact lenses you could wear.

How often would you wear the lenses?

Are you planning to wear your lenses on a daily basis, only on weekends, or only for special occasions?

Most people wear soft lenses, which allow for comfortable wear on either a continuous or partial basis. Hard gas-permeable lenses, on the other hand, must be worn on a consistent daily basis to feel comfortable.

How picky are you about the sharpness of your vision?

Hard oxygen-permeable lenses, also known as RGP and GP lenses, require some getting used to when you first start wearing them, but they ultimately provide better and sharper vision than soft lenses. Especially when you suffer from astigmatism.

If you try soft lenses and are disappointed by the lack of clarity, you may want to consider switching to this specific type of lens.

Are you able to maintain the contact lenses properly?

To avoid serious problems when wearing lenses, including eye infections and even certain forms of cancer, it is essential that you actually use the products recommended by your specialist for maintenance.

Even though the use of disposable lenses clearly reduces the risk of a number of eye infections, daily maintenance of the lenses remains essential to keep your eyes healthy and to wear them correctly.

If daily lens maintenance becomes difficult for you, you may want to consider using daily disposable lenses. With this type of soft lens, you simply remove the lenses after single use and throw them away, then insert a new pair the next day.

Is it important to be able to wear the lenses for a long time?

Do you like the idea of being able to wear the lenses continuously, even during the night? Some types of lenses allow large amounts of oxygen to pass through and are suitable to keep in at night.

But keep in mind that wearing lenses constantly is not safe for everyone. If you are interested in wearing this specific type of lens, you must first have your eye specialist examine how your eyes react to it.

Do you want to change the color of your eyes?

Colored contact lenses are also an option to provide you with a new look. These lenses can accentuate your eye color or even change it completely, even for those with dark eyes.

There are also contact lenses on the market that aim for a special effect. These are also sometimes called "theatrical contact lenses" or "costume lenses." These lenses can dramatically change the look of your eyes.

There are certain types of lenses, such as gothic lenses, that can even give you the look of a vampire as in certain popular films or television series.

This specific type of lens is therefore particularly popular at events such as Halloween and they are also available without the aim of improving your vision when you do not need it. So they can be purely decorative lenses.

But all contact lenses, even when they are not intended to correct your face, are considered medical devices, and you cannot simply purchase them without consulting a specialist.

Do you want to wear bifocal lenses?

If you are over 40 and need bifocal/multifocal lenses, these can reduce or even eliminate your need to wear reading glasses.

Another option is monovision, in which one lens is prescribed to give you good vision up close and the second lens is prescribed for better distance vision.

This may seem strange, but for people who have both conditions at the same time, this can offer a comfortable and natural-feeling solution.

What about the cost of wearing and maintaining lenses?

Lenses do not completely eliminate your need for glasses, if only to have one in reserve when you have problems with your lenses. You must therefore take this into consideration when calculating the cost of wearing lenses and the associated products, and what the consequences of this are for your budget.

Also keep in mind that you also need products to maintain your lenses (except for disposable lenses) to reduce the risk of infection.

Do you suffer from allergies or dry eyes?

Eye allergies or dry eyes can affect the comfort of wearing lenses or reduce or even completely exclude your ability to wear them.

If you suffer from another specific condition of your eyes, you should definitely consult with your eye specialist first before you start wearing lenses.

Daily disposable lenses can reduce allergic symptoms. And there are also specific brands of lenses on the market for dry eyes that should enable you to wear lenses in a comfortable way.

Always seek professional advice before you start wearing lenses.

Let all of the above sink in, and when you decide to seriously consider wearing lenses, you should first make an appointment with an eye specialist to have a thorough examination of your eyes and then be thoroughly informed about whether or not to use lenses and how to wear them.

Your eye specialist is the best person to tell you whether or not you are a suitable candidate to wear lenses, to help you choose the lenses and more specifically to give you the necessary information regarding the lenses that best suit you and your personal wishes.