As optical industry advancements continue to develop, the number of contact lenses on the market increases. There are a huge range of contact lenses available, depending on what they’re required for and the preference of users – such as whether you’d rather use daily disposables or keep the same pair for a longer period of time.
We are specialists in fitting bespoke contact lenses and have a lot more information, including our top professional tips and the various types available. Book an appointment and we can walk you through any questions you have. Explore the ten different categories of contact lenses available to users.
The 8 Different Types of Contact Lenses
1. Daily-Wear Soft Lenses
One of the most popular types of lenses, the daily soft lens is highly practical as it does not need to be cleaned – you simply throw it away once you’ve used it! Ideal for wearing up to 18 hours a day, the lenses are created to be especially comfortable.
2. Extended-Wear Lenses
Ideal for people who want to change their contacts less, the extended-wear lenses are most commonly worn for up to six days (although they can be used for as long as 30 days in some cases). Whereas daily-wear contacts must be removed before sleeping, extended-wear contacts can be worn throughout the night.
3. Rigid Gas-Permeable
Also known as hard lenses, RGP lenses are easy to use and have a relatively long life as long as they’re cared for correctly. They can slip out more easily than other contact lenses, but can be tinted so that you can spot them if they fall.
4. Monovision Contacts – Contact lenses for longsightedness
Used to treat presbyopia (long-sightedness) monovision contact lenses address the difficulty in changing focus for people that have a dominant eye. One lens corrects far vision whilst the other corrects your near vision.
5. Bi-Focal
Bi-focal contact lenses are also used to treat presbyopia but have two different prescriptions within one lens.
6. Colour Variation Contacts
Coloured contacts are used to change the appearance of your iris colour. They come in a huge range of colours, from the usual spectrum of blue, brown, hazel etc. right through to abnormal colours such as red, or even patterned designs like cats’ eyes.
7. Toric Lenses
Toric contact lenses focus on correcting astigmatism. They are specially designed to rotate within the cornea so that meridians within the eye align to give corrected vision. These contact lenses must be expertly fitted and can cost more than regular contact lenses.
8. Spherical
These simple round lenses are used to treat common problems like myopia and hyeropia.
Purchase your Contact Lenses in a Way That Suits You
No matter what lens you decide to purchase, here at Reynold Opticians, we understand that it can be daunting having to account for a new expense without much notice. That is why we have created 3 simple ways you can purchase your contact lenses. We hope that this will encourage you to seek out what contact lens is best suited for you, and then when it comes time to purchase them. We have an option that makes you feel comfortable and empowered.
Discover the Perfect Contact Lenses for you at Reynolds Opticians
Are you unsure of which contact lens is most suitable for you? Our expert opticians can advise you on the contact lenses most suited to your requirements and lifestyle.
All contact lenses should be fitted by an expert, with repeat visits to the opticians to ensure the correct care is being carried out. Speak to our team and they can help you set up an appointment and answer your questions.
In the meantime, take a look at the Reynolds Opticians Blog. Here you will find the latest findings and industry updates along with tips on how to take care of your eyes and ears alike.
I’m needing to get new contacts. I like that you listed them all out here. I’ll probably go with extended wear ones.
I am glad to see this post and read each and everything thoroughly. I and my sister both wear glasses and are now planning to switch to lenses and we do not know anything about lenses so we were bit confused. This article of yours has helped us know about the variety of lenses available in the market so it really makes our work easier in deciding which one to chose and which would really be a better option for us.