How do contact lenses work?
Refractive errors occur when abnormalities in your cornea or the lenses in your eyes interfere with the way your eye focuses light on your retina. Contact lenses are designed with a specific curve to make up for that abnormality and help your eye focus light on the correct part of your retina for clear vision.
When Dr. Rosenberg prescribes contact lenses and recommends a specific brand, he considers factors like the degree of your refractive error and the curvature of your eye, pupil size, and tear film.
Depending on your refractive error, some contact lenses may fit your eye better than others. For example, if the curvature of a contact lens is too flat or too steep for your eye shape, you may experience discomfort or even damage to your eye.
Dr. Harrison measures your corneal curvature with a keratometer. Knowing the curve and diameter of your eye helps him choose the contact lenses that will fit most comfortably.
For example, if you have moderate to severe astigmatism, he may recommend a toric lens — a type of soft contact lens designed to fit over the irregular shape and curve of an astigmatic eye. In the past, if you had astigmatism, you would have needed to wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses.
What are the different types of contact lenses?
Bridge Opticians offers several different types and brands of contact lenses, including soft, hard, toric, and multifocal.
Most patients wear soft contact lenses. Soft lenses have a larger diameter and are made from soft, flexible plastic, which makes them easier to get used to wearing. You can choose daily wear, extended wear, or disposable lenses.
Soft contact lenses are also available to correct astigmatism and presbyopia — the age-related condition that stiffens your lens, often leading to the need for multiple prescriptions to see close up and far away.
Rigid gas permeable lenses, commonly referred to as hard contact lenses, provide clear, sharp vision, even with severe myopia and astigmatism. Gas permeable (GP) lenses are smaller than soft contact lenses and made of a hard plastic, which can make them a little bit more challenging to get used to wearing.
Should I choose contact lenses or eyeglasses?
You don’t have to choose between contact lenses and glasses. You may want to wear glasses during the day if you work at a computer, and wear your contact lenses for social or athletic occasions. Or you may want to wear your contact lenses all the time.
Talk to Dr. Rosenberg about your lifestyle and needs. He can provide advice on the best contact lenses and care for your unique situation.
To learn more about your contact lens options, call Bridge Opticians or schedule an eye exam online today.
