Contact Lenses
There are a number of reasons why you might prefer contact lenses to standard eyewear: a glasses-free look, hassle-free vision correction, wearing non-prescription sun wear and goggles, or the convenience of not having to worry about misplacing your glasses. If you have a high prescription or astigmatism, contact lenses may provide more enhanced vision correction than glasses. Today, you can even replace your bifocal glasses with bifocal contact lenses.
Dr. Esarey, Dr. Duzan, and Dr. Hennig can recommend the best contact lenses for you based on a complete eye examination and a review of your visual needs both at work and at play. Since most people can wear more than one type of lens, it’s important to know what the choices are and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Soft Lenses
These lenses are comfortable to wear and must be replaced monthly, weekly, or daily depending on the type you choose. Soft lenses are often recommended for sports because they fit closer to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge. They can provide correction for most prescriptions including astigmatism. Today, with the introduction of newer materials like silicone hydrogels, which allow more oxygen to the eye, patients find it easier than ever to wear soft lenses comfortably.
Gas-Permeable (GP) Lenses
Made of moderately flexible plastics, GP lenses offer sharp vision and correct most vision problems. They are more durable than soft contact lenses and can be easier to handle and care for but require a longer adaptation period and consistent wear to maintain adaptation.
Multifocal Lenses
In both soft and gas permeable designs, multifocal lenses offer patients both distance and near vision correction just like a pair of bifocal glasses.
Color Contact Lenses
Enhance your eye color or even change it completely. Colored contact lenses are fun and come in a variety of colors for both light and dark eyes.
Silicone Hydrogels
Silicone hydrogels are soft contact lenses that have high oxygen permeability and are comparable to GP lenses.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses, known for their large diameter, combine the optics of a hard lens with the comfort of a soft lens. Used mainly for correction of large amounts of astigmatism, high prescriptions, or certain corneal diseases/conditions, scleral lenses are becoming a more popular option to correct vision for those who struggle with glasses or conventional contact lenses. Ask our doctors if a scleral lens would be right for you.
Orthokeratology
Tired of wearing your glasses or contact lenses during the day? Orthokeratology might be right for you! The process involves wearing molds overnight (similar to a retainer for dental alignment) that gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. Upon waking, vision is clear without the need for glasses or contacts during the day. This method is commonly used to slow down the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness, in children who are showing signs of significant progression that could put them more at risk for eye health concerns later in life. Ready to gain freedom from your glasses or contacts?
Regardless of the type of contact lenses you wear, an annual eye exam is recommended to ensure the continued good health of your eyes. Schedule an appointment for an assessment and advice at Lifetime Eye Care in Charleston, and we will be in touch with you shortly.
