Information about Contact Lens

With so many different types of contact lenses on the market the choice of whether to opt for hard or soft contact lenses can at first seem a little daunting. The truth is that more often than not it's simply a matter of personal preference, with both hard and soft lenses each having their own distinct advantages.

Recent years have seen great strides made in the technology behind hard lenses, and rigid gas permeable lenses (otherwise known as RGP or oxygen permeable lenses) are the latest addition to the marketplace. RGP lenses allow more oxygen into the eye than soft lenses, helping to keep the eye healthy and making the lens more comfortable than previous hard lenses.

History of Contact Lens

The concept of contact lenses dates back to Leonardo da Vinci. The first lenses actually manufactured were large glass lenses that covered the entire eye. But with the introduction of soft lenses in the '70s, contact lenses became more affordable, convenient and comfortable. Not to mention more likely to stay put!

Today's soft contact lenses are inexpensive and often disposable, so most wearers can put in a clean new pair monthly, weekly, even daily. There are bifocal contacts, color-tinted lenses that intensify natural eye color, even contacts that correct astigmatism. Very simply, contact lenses are more popular than ever and getting better all the time.

• 1508 Leonardo da Vinci illustrates the concept of contact lenses
• 1823 British astronomer Sir John Herschel conceptualizes practical lens design
• 1887 First contact lens manufactured from glass, and fit to cover the entire eye
• 1939 Contact lenses first made from plastic
• 1948 Plastic contact lenses designed to cover only the eye's cornea
• 1971 Introduction of soft contact lenses
• 1978 Introduction of GP contact lenses
• 1981 FDA approval of new soft contact lenses for extended (overnight) wear
• 1986 Overnight wear of GP contact lenses becomes available
• 1987 Introduction of disposable soft contact lenses
• 1987 GP contacts available in next-generation fluorosilicone acrylate materials

Contact Lens Information

By their nature hard lenses are also much more durable than soft lenses, which means that providing they are well looked after they can last for years. Another plus is that their rigidity also makes them easier to handle and care for. It's also worth remembering that while the initial financial outlay for RGP lenses may strike you as high, if you work out the overall cost spread over the expected lifetime of your lenses, it's typically less than for soft lenses.

On the down side RGP lenses can initially be a little uncomfortable, taking a week or two before you become accustomed to them. Specialists recommended that RGP lenses are worn every day, whereas soft lenses can be worn comfortably on an occasional basis.

Soft contact lenses are made from up to 80 per cent water, so it isn't surprising that they tend to be more comfortable at first.

Perhaps the main deciding factor that pushes people towards soft lenses is the huge variety to choose from, which covers the spectrum from coloured lenses and daily disposable lenses (so there's no more cleaning) to extended wear lenses that can be worn for up to a week without removal. However soft contact lenses aren't suitable for every visual problem and certain forms of astigmatism and presbyopia may be better treated with hard lenses.

How to put contacts in eyes

• Wash and thoroughly dry hands
• Empty contact lens and storage fluid into hand
• Check contact lens for tears, particles or deposits
• Place contact lens on index finger tip with cup side up
• Verify contact lens is right side out
• Hold upper and lower eyelids apart with other hand
• Look up
• Place contact lens onto white part of eye
• Release lower eyelid, then upper eyelid
• Look down to position contact lens
• Close eye for a few seconds
• Add eye drops to lubricate lens, if necessary
• Repeat steps for other eye

What may at first seem difficult can become easy with a little practice.

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Contact Lens Information