What types and kinds of contact lenses are best?
There are many different types and brands of contact lenses, each brand has a number of unique properties that may make that specific brand the best for you. In short, there is no single brand that is best for all possible contact lens wearers.
Don't just start experimenting yourself, but consult an eye specialist to determine, after a thorough examination, which type of lenses and which brand are best suited for your eyes and your individual needs.
It is estimated that about 90% of the contact lenses prescribed annually here in Europe are soft lenses. The factors that help determine the best soft contact lenses for you include attention to the following factors, which we are happy to list for you below.
The curve of the base
The curve of the base is the curve that is important for fitting your lenses to the back surface of the eye. This curve should be approximately similar to the curve on the front of your eyes, the so-called cornea.
The surface of the lens must fit as closely as possible to the center of the cornea, allowing the lens to be soft and uniform and providing clear, undisturbed vision.
When researching the fitting of the right type of contact lens, your specialist will also look for a brand of soft lenses that has the right curve to fit the shape of your eye.
Most brands provide the necessary variations in curves. However, you may need a lens with a specific flatter or more pronounced base. It is therefore possible that your type of lenses is less available in the generally distributed range, but your optician usually knows how to deal with this.
The diameter of the lens
The diameter of a soft contact lens is of great importance for centering the lens and user comfort. If you have a smaller than average eye, you will generally also need a lens with a smaller diameter.
Also important is the shape of your eyelids and the dimensions of the opening of your eye. This may mean that you need a lens with a narrower or wider diameter in order to easily remove the lenses from your eye and put them back in.
The treatment of astigmatism
If you suffer from astigmatism and need a so-called 'toric' or 'astigmatic' contact lens, there are several brands of lenses for you. There are various designs that ensure the correct alignment of the lenses, resulting in a reduction of the rotation of the lens when you blink or when you suddenly change the position of your head.
Depending on the specific shape of your eye, and other determining factors such as the tightness of your eyelids, you may be limited in your choice of contact lens to a particular brand of lens, even when the base curve and diameter of two different brands are the same.
Treatment of the surface of the eye
With a number of types of soft contact lenses, it is necessary to treat the lens in a specific way, with the aim of ensuring that the lenses remain moist for longer and consequently guarantee better user comfort.
If you suffer from dry eyes or when your lenses feel dry after a few hours of use, it may be desirable or necessary to switch to certain brands of lenses that offer the right treatment in this regard so that you can continue to wear the lenses comfortably.
The only way to find out which type and brand of contact lenses is best for you is to have a comprehensive examination of your eyes performed by a specialist before you start fitting the different brands.
Occasionally it may happen that you have to try out a few or more lenses before you discover, in consultation with your eye specialist, which type of lenses best meets your specific individual needs.