Understanding the Different Types of Contact Lenses

Toric lenses have a special shape to correct astigmatism, a condition where an irregular curve in the eye causes blurry vision at all distances. They are designed with weighted areas or other stabilization features to keep them from rotating on the eye, ensuring your vision remains stable and clear throughout the day. A precise fitting is essential to get the best results, and modern toric lenses are available in soft, silicone hydrogel, and rigid gas permeable materials.

Multifocal lenses help people with presbyopia, the common age-related loss of near vision that typically begins in the early to mid-40s. They contain multiple prescription zones, much like progressive eyeglass lenses, to provide clear sight at all distances from near to far. This allows you to reduce or eliminate your dependency on reading glasses. Today's multifocal designs offer excellent visual quality for computer work, reading, and distance tasks.

Colored lenses can enhance or completely change your natural eye color, and are available with or without vision correction. Even if you do not need vision correction, colored lenses are considered medical devices and require a proper fitting and prescription from an eye doctor. Never buy lenses from an unlicensed source, costume shop, or online retailer without a prescription, as poorly fitting lenses can cause serious eye damage, infections, and even permanent vision loss.

Also known as corneal reshaping lenses, Ortho-K lenses are rigid, gas permeable lenses worn overnight. While you sleep, they gently and temporarily reshape your cornea to correct nearsightedness. The lenses are removed in the morning, providing clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or contacts. They are also a leading option for controlling myopia progression in children, with research showing they can slow axial elongation by 40 to 60 percent compared to regular glasses. This makes them an important tool for protecting long-term eye health in young, progressing myopes.

Yes, contact lenses are very safe for motivated new wearers, including teenagers and even some responsible pre-teens. Success depends on the ability to handle and care for the lenses responsibly with proper hygiene and adherence to wearing schedules. Daily disposables are often an excellent starting point because they are easy to use and require no cleaning, minimizing the risk of infection. We work closely with young patients and their parents to ensure they understand all safety protocols before starting lens wear.

Your eye doctor is the only one who can determine this through a comprehensive evaluation. Our ophthalmologists will assess your prescription, eye health, corneal shape, tear film quality, and lifestyle needs. Factors like dry eyes, allergies, work environment, computer use, sports participation, and your daily schedule will all be considered to find your perfect match. We often provide trial lenses so you can experience the comfort and vision quality before making a final decision.

Yes, many people with dry eyes can successfully wear contact lenses with the right approach. Your doctor may recommend specific lens materials like silicone hydrogel for better oxygen flow, daily disposables to avoid deposit buildup, or specialty scleral lenses that bathe the eye in constant moisture. Treating the underlying cause of your dryness with therapies available at ReFocus Eye Health Penndel is also key. We offer comprehensive dry eye evaluations and treatments to help you wear contacts comfortably.

Yes, every contact lens wearer should have an up-to-date pair of backup glasses. You will need them for times when you should not wear your lenses, such as when your eyes are irritated, when you are sick with a cold or infection, during air travel, or simply to give your eyes a break in the morning and at night. Having quality backup glasses ensures you can always see clearly even when contacts are not appropriate.

No, you should never expose your contact lenses to any type of water. This includes tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water contains bacteria, amoebas, and other microorganisms that can cause severe, sight-threatening infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis. These infections are difficult to treat and can lead to permanent vision loss. Always remove your lenses before any water activities and wear prescription swim goggles if needed.

There are excellent specialty lens options available for complex prescriptions and corneal irregularities. Custom soft toric lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses can all provide sharp, stable vision for prescriptions that are outside the range of standard contacts. Our team has extensive experience fitting these specialized lenses and will work with you to find the option that provides the best vision and comfort for your unique eyes.

Both are options for correcting presbyopia, but they work in different ways.

• Multifocal lenses have multiple prescription zones built into each lens to provide clear vision at all distances simultaneously. Your brain learns to select the appropriate zone for the task.
• Monovision corrects one eye (usually the dominant eye) for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Your brain learns to favor the appropriate eye for each task, whether looking at your phone or driving.

Your eye doctor can help you decide which option is a better fit for your visual needs and lifestyle through a trial fitting period. Some people adapt immediately while others need time to adjust or may prefer one method over the other.

Contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year. You should have a comprehensive eye exam and a contact lens evaluation annually to monitor the health of your eyes, ensure your lenses still fit properly, and keep your prescription current. During these visits, we check for any signs of complications from lens wear and make adjustments to optimize your comfort and vision. Regular annual exams are essential for safe, long-term contact lens wear.

Yes, but follow these important safety tips:

• Always insert your lenses before applying makeup to avoid transferring cosmetics to the lens surface
• Use oil-free, hypoallergenic products that are less likely to cause irritation
• Avoid applying eyeliner to your inner eyelid margin or waterline, as this can contaminate your lenses
• Remove your lenses before removing your makeup at the end of the day
• Replace mascara and liquid eyeliners every three months to prevent bacterial growth and contamination
• If makeup gets in your eye, remove your lens, rinse it thoroughly with solution, and reinsert only if comfortable

Never flush contact lenses down the toilet or wash them down the sink. They are not biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution in our waterways, eventually entering the food chain and harming aquatic life. The proper way to dispose of used lenses is to throw them in the solid waste trash. Some programs also accept lens blister packs for recycling, so ask our staff about environmentally responsible disposal options.