Contacts

Contact lenses range in terms of the materials they are made from, how comfortable they are for the wearer, and even the effectiveness of vision correction. Different types of lenses are recommended to patients depending on their circumstances.

Take a look at three of the most common types of contacts available.

RGP Contact Lenses

RGP (rigid gas-permeable) contacts are more rigid but allow oxygen to slip through the material. For a long time, these lenses were the most common type used. However, today, most people opt for soft contact lenses because they can be more comfortable. Nevertheless, RGP lenses may offer sharper vision and can be more affordable.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contacts are flexible and more comfortable, which can make them ideal for first-time contact lens wearers. These lenses are made from different types of plastic, but most are silicone-gel material. This is comfortable because it does not irritate the eye’s surface, but also because it allows more oxygen to slip through. Most soft lenses are designed to be disposable, which means you wear them once and throw them away.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Some soft contacts are also designed to be worn for extended periods of time instead of disposable. These extended-wear contacts can be worn overnight and for several days at a time without needing to be removed every day.

First-Time Contact Lens Guide

Getting contact lenses is a lot like getting regular eyeglasses with a few extra steps in the process. There can be variances depending on the patient, but the general steps will involve:

• The patient undergoes a standard vision exam.
• The eye doctor will discuss the different contact lens options.
• The surface of the eye is measured.
• The eye doctor will perform a test to analyze the quality of tear film.
• The patient is fitted with their first pair of trial contacts.

Most patients who wear glasses turn out to be good candidates for contact lenses. Talking to your Grosse Pointe Woods eye doctor is the first step to freedom from eyeglasses. If you are considering contacts, reach out to our office at Pointe Vision Care to schedule an appointment.