Initially contact lenses were made from hard or rigid plastic materials. In the beginning, all hard contact lenses were made of polymethacrylate PMMA. Although, this material was very durable, it did not allow oxygen to pass through the lens to your eye. As a result, many complications occurred and often these lenses were very uncomfortable to wear. We no longer fit PMMA (hard) contact lenses but we do fit oxygen permeable rigid lenses. These lenses do allow your eye to breathe, are very healthy for your eyes and vision is typically crystal clear. In addition, new advancements in design and manufacturing have made rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses more comfortable. These lenses provide excellent options for people with astigmatism and bifocals in their prescription. In addition, RGP contact lenses can be worn for extended periods of time and even overnight. 

Soft contact lenses are known for their comfort and convenience. There are over 100 different types of soft lenses to meet your visual needs and lifestyle. With the advances in design and manufacturing almost any prescription can be fit with soft contact lenses. This includes patients with astigmatism or even prescriptions requiring bifocals. In addition, colored and disposable soft contact lenses provide cosmetic value and convenience.

 

Colored Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses can be used to either enhance your natural eye color or even change the eye color altogether. In addition, special designs can be placed on the lens for a fun statement! Specialized tints are also used to help patients with disfigured or scarred eyes. With these lenses, we can often help your appearance and your self-esteem.

 

Disposable Contact Lenses

Disposable soft contact lenses now account for 80% of all soft contact lenses being fit. These contact lenses are extremely comfortable and healthy for your eyes. You replace your contact lenses before protein and lipids in your tears build-up on the lens surface. This provides more oxygen to your eyes without using solutions/chemicals to clean the contact lens.

Today, we have lenses that you wear one-day and throw away. In addition, we have weekly, monthly and quarterly replaced contact lenses. Depending on your visual needs and lifestyle, the appropriate design can be found.

 

One-Day Disposable Lenses

One-day disposable contact lenses provide the best ocular health and vision possible today.  There are many brands available in the daily wear contact lenses. 

 

Weekly Disposable Lenses

Weekly disposable contact lenses are the most common contact lens sold today. Most people wear the lenses during the day and remove for night. The contact lenses are placed in a disinfecting solution over night. After wearing the contact lenses for two weeks, the lenses are replaced. Another option is to wear the contact lens overnight for one week and then replace the lens. This eliminates the need for disinfecting solution and provides clear vision 24 hours a day.

 

Monthly Disposable Lenses

Monthly disposable contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected, but offer flexibility over traditional yearly-replaced lenses. Usually you do not have to use weekly enzymes as well. These lenses can be worn either on a daily wear or extended wear regimen.

 

Quarterly Contact Lenses

Quarterly replaced lenses are usually cared for the same as a traditional yearly soft contact lens. Some patients have difficulty after about three months of wearing their contact lens due to deposits and lack of oxygen. This regimen can solve this problem and provide a new clean lens every quarter of a year.

 

Patients with astigmatism have a warped surface to their eye. This complicates the fitting of contact lenses. Today we have soft toric lens designs to provide a comfortable solution. These lenses incorporate many special designs used to stabilize the lens on your eye.

Often a special bitoric rigid gas permeable lens provides comfortable and clear vision. So if you have been told that you have astigmatism and cannot wear contacts - ask again!

 

Bifocal Contact Lenses

Bifocal contact lenses do exist. They are available in both soft and rigid materials. In addition, there are several different designs available to best meet your visual needs. Often we will use a combination of these designs to successfully eliminate glasses. We now have several new options that did not exist just a year ago. So if you do not enjoy glasses, ask again about bifocal contact lenses.

 

The success of your contact lenses depend on your care and compliance. The Flint Hills Eye Care professionals strongly suggest following your individual lens care instructions when you receive your lenses. Below are basic guidelines for lens care but please remember each patient is different and may require different care.

 

Remember:

-Carefully follow instructions from your eye care professionsl for the care of your contact lenses.

-Replace your lenses as recommended.

-Clean your lenses as recommended.

-Schedule follow-up visits as recommended.

-Always wash hands before handling lenses.

 

Not Recommended:

-Don't moisten lenses in your mouth or with saliva. Saliva is full of bacteria and could cause infection.

-Don't use lotions or creams on your hands before handling lenses.

-Don't wear lenses longer than recommended.

-Don't wear contact lenses if eyes are red or irritated.

-Don't share your lenses.

 

Care Tips:

-Wash hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.

-Clean lenses over a clean towel or a paper towel.

-Follow cleaning steps closely.

-Only use cleaners and disinfectants recommended.

-Store or clean lenses in their proper case only. Make sure case is cleaned and replaced on a regular schedule.

 

Schedule Tips:

-Replace your contacts as recommended. Set a regular day for replacing your contact lenses.

-Set up a replacement schedule that is easy to remember. Relate changing contacts to a regular scheduled event such as payday.

-Mark your calendar or set up an alarm on your palm pilot.

-Store a pad and pen with your contacts. When you replace your contacts, record the date and make a note of the next date to replace them.

 

Please remember, replacement schedules and cleaning techniques are essential in maintaining healthy eyes. Do follow all recommendations by your eye care professional. If you have questions, do not hesitate in contacting our office.