Contact Lenses

Contact Lens Prescriptions

Types of Contact Lenses

There are two major classifications of contact lenses, soft lenses and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In general, patients get used to soft lenses a bit more quickly, but once they adapt to RGP lenses, lens comfort is equal between the two types of lenses. Vision is generally better with RGP lenses than with soft lenses, especially for patients who have Astigmatism or need a bifocal correction.

The best way to know which type of lens is right for you is to discuss your vision correction needs, hobbies and work environment with us. The lens that’s right for your friends and/or family may or may not be the best type of lens for you.

Custom Contact Lenses

Every eye is different. While many patients are well served by non-custom contact lenses, many patients see better with improved comfort when they wear custom lenses that are individually designed with the help of detailed measurements of corneal curvature (obtained with a device called a topographer) and special computer software. These lenses can be designed to correct all types of vision problems, including astigmatism and bifocal lenses.

Continuous Wear Lenses

In the past, wearing contact lenses longer than 18 hours or so per day was usually a recipe for disaster. With the release of new RGP and Soft contact lenses, this is no longer the case. Many patients can enjoy up to 30 continuous days of lens wear comfortably and safely. If you are interested in continuous wear lenses, be sure to ask us about them at your next appointment or schedule a contact lens consultation today!