Jun 26, 2023
What types of contact lenses are available on the market? What functions do they offer? And what should be considered for better vision with contact lenses?
Contact lenses work in harmony with glasses. For many, contact lenses provide a greater sense of visual freedom, allowing the wearer to enjoy an active and dynamic lifestyle, such as during sports or vacations. They also hide the fact that you need to wear glasses, giving a more natural appearance without the restrictions of frames. Here are 10 tips for wearing contact lenses to keep your eyes healthy while maintaining comfortable vision for long periods.
Which type of contact lenses is suitable for whom?
First, you must understand whether your prescription can be corrected through contact lenses. Contact lenses can correct myopia and hyperopia, as well as other vision problems like astigmatism and presbyopia. However, contact lenses cannot incorporate prism correction, meaning they cannot correct strabismus, which can only be addressed through glasses lenses.
Contact lenses come in soft and rigid types. Soft contact lenses are classified based on their usage duration, with four main types: daily disposable, bi-weekly, monthly, and long-wear lenses that can be worn continuously for up to 30 days without removal.
Rigid contact lenses come in two main types: standard rigid lenses, which are custom-fitted based on the wearer’s eyes and can last one to two years depending on the material, and corneal reshaping lenses, which are worn during sleep to reshape the cornea overnight, allowing clear vision without any visual aids during the day.
As with glasses, contact lenses require professional fitting from an eye care specialist. Optometrists will provide detailed recommendations and discuss which type of contact lens best suits your needs. They will also advise on proper insertion and removal, as well as the best cleaning methods.
Take care of your health: contact lens wearers should regularly visit their optometrist for check-ups.
Cleaning: The most important condition for wearing contact lenses!
If your contact lenses are not clean, your vision quality may be affected. Cleaning may seem like a hassle, but it’s better to be cautious than risk problems. Proper cleaning and maintenance are critical, as contact lenses come into direct contact with the eyes. Remember: always wash your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing your contact lenses.
Tap water is not sterile, so always use saline solution to rub your lenses and proper cleaning products to clean both the lenses and the storage case. Replace your lens case monthly. Keep the opening of the cleaning solution sterile and avoid direct contact with your fingers or lenses. Never use expired cleaning solutions. After removing your contact lenses, immediately clean and disinfect them before placing them in the storage case.
Always maintain hygiene when handling contact lenses, and be sure to store them in a suitable container with proper lens solution. The solution should be replaced after every use to ensure sterility. Multifunctional solutions can be used for both cleaning and storing your lenses. Be sure to use the correct cleaning products for your specific lenses to avoid harmful chemical reactions.
How long should you wear contact lenses? What’s best for your eyes?
Contact lenses should not be worn for an entire day. Your eyes need rest and fresh air. Experts generally recommend not wearing contact lenses for more than eight hours.
However, there are no strict rules, as wear time depends on the individual’s needs, the type of contact lens, and the lens quality. Always follow the wear time, cleaning instructions, and product expiration dates to avoid irritating your eyes. Additionally, check the oxygen permeability of the lenses before purchasing, as this is crucial in determining how long they can be worn. Oxygen permeability is measured by the Dk value, which varies based on the material and is also influenced by temperature. Consult your optometrist for advice.
Extended-wear lenses are designed for consumers who are allergic to cleaning solutions. Consult your optometrist to see if extended-wear lenses are suitable for you, as they are worn continuously day and night for up to 30 days without needing to be removed for cleaning and disinfecting.
If your eyes become inflamed, irritated, or painful, remove the contact lenses and switch to glasses. Similarly, if you have a fever or cold, wear glasses instead. During recovery, ask your doctor if you can continue wearing the same pair of contact lenses, or if it's safer to discard them, especially if you use monthly or semi-annual lenses.
Dry eyes or eye fatigue when wearing contact lenses
While contact lenses offer freedom and flexibility, many wearers experience the common issue of dry eyes. Artificial tears can help alleviate this problem, but not all eye drops are suitable. Consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist to find the best type of artificial tears for your contact lenses and the appropriate usage frequency and dosage. Temporarily switching to glasses can also relieve dry eyes, such as after a full day of work in the office. In the evening, you can remove your contact lenses and place them in disinfecting solution, and switch to glasses.
Teamwork: It’s not a choice between glasses or contact lenses, but the combination of both
Our research at ZEISS shows that more and more contact lens wearers also enjoy using glasses, often owning multiple pairs with different prescriptions. Did you know? ZEISS offers glasses lenses specifically designed for contact lens wearers, allowing them to relax their eyes after removing contact lenses. ZEISS EnergizeMe glasses lenses provide more benefits than regular glasses for contact lens wearers. These lenses are specially designed for the visual habits of contact lens wearers in the digital age.
Sports, swimming, vacation – daily disposable lenses are a great alternative for glasses wearers in specific situations
Glasses wearers can switch to daily disposable lenses when needed, such as during vacation or sports. Once again, optometrists are happy to help first-time or occasional contact lens users choose the most suitable lenses.
Contact lens wearers also need sunglasses. Make sure your chosen contact lenses have UV protection to safeguard your corneas and inner eyes from harmful UV rays. However, UV protection provided by contact lenses alone is not enough, as lenses only cover part of the eye. Therefore, contact lens wearers should also wear sunglasses.
Colored contact lenses for special occasions
Colored contact lenses are popular among consumers, whether or not they have a prescription. Want to draw attention with striking blue eyes at a special event? Or perhaps match your green eyes perfectly with a stunning evening dress? Or even sport evil cat eyes for a Halloween costume? Contact lenses can do it all. Be bold and try it out! Sometimes, eyes speak louder than words.
Just like clear lenses, colored contact lenses require the same care: proper cleaning products are essential to ensure eye health.
Wearing contact lenses overnight – what do the experts say?
Everyone has a few sleepless nights! Sometimes, we may even forget we’re still wearing contact lenses. Where should you place your contact lenses during an all-night party? In such cases, daily disposable lenses are your best option. Before inserting them, of course, you should still thoroughly clean your hands to avoid infections.
However, dust and loss are not the main issues with daily lenses. Since they are discarded after use, no disinfection is needed. Afterwards, simply switch to stylish glasses with ultra-thin lenses and you'll be the center of attention. This is the perfect combination of glasses and contact lenses!
Modern vision in a digital world – how has the digital age changed our vision?
Quickly checking emails or WhatsApp messages, watching YouTube videos, chatting with friends online, or reading on a tablet. Smartphones, e-readers, and other digital devices are now as much a part of daily life as handbags, newspapers, or car keys. However, they also present challenges for our eyes. We tend to use these devices at shorter distances than when reading books, forcing our eyes to switch between near and far vision more frequently than ever before.
Modern vision in the digital age puts significant strain on our eyes, and contact lens wearers are no exception. Glasses may provide perfect relaxation! Extended use of smartphones, tablets, or similar devices can cause eye strain or fatigue. ZEISS EnergizeMe glasses lenses, designed specifically for contact lens wearers, use special technology to help them easily read both print and digital media, reducing digital eye strain.
Progressive contact lenses – combining multiple prescriptions in one lens
Presbyopia is a natural part of aging, requiring lenses that provide clear vision for near, far, and intermediate distances. Progressive contact lenses, or multifocal lenses, are an excellent solution for correcting presbyopia in contact lens wearers.
There are various methods to correct presbyopia in contact lens wearers. The simplest solution is to use distance contact lenses combined with reading glasses. Alternatively, monovision correction can be used, where one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for distance vision, with the brain adjusting to the difference. However, this may slightly affect depth perception, and the difference in prescription between the two eyes should not be too great.
Progressive contact lenses, on the other hand, integrate both near and distance vision prescriptions into one lens, ensuring both eyes work together for clear vision. These lenses come in different designs, with near and distance prescriptions arranged in concentric rings or alternating zones. Over time, your brain will adjust, allowing you to naturally focus on both near and far objects.
Important note: always try them out and seek expert advice, as not everyone can adapt to these lenses.
