Contact Lens
Contact lenses are transparent lenses that are positioned at the center of the black portion of the eye, the Cornea. Contact lenses are suitable alternative for people not interested in wearing glasses due to cosmetic, occupational or recreative needs or those with corneal irregularities where Speciality contact lenses give better vision than regular spectacle lenses. We, at Shakthi Eye Care Centre offer leading contact lenses brands along with guidance from the Best Speciality Contact Lens Doctors in Chennai to ensure you get the most suitable vision correction options.There are different types of contact lenses available in the market but not all have the same indications.
1. Soft Contact Lenses
These are the most commonly used lenses and are made from soft, flexible materials. For simple refractive errors without significant astigmatism, soft contact lenses are adequate. If the astigmatism is more than 1 diopter of astigmatism, soft lenses may not be suitable.
A. Daily Disposable Lenses - One-time use; discarded at the end of the day
- • No cleaning needed
- • Comfortable for sensitive eyes
- • Lower risk of infection as there is no protein build up
- • Great for occasional use
B. Bi-weekly & Monthly Lenses - Reusable for 2 weeks or 1 month
- • More economical than daily lenses
- • Available in more power ranges (including high minus/plus)
- • Good for regular wear
C. Extended-Wear Lenses
These are available in the market for overnight use. Since there is a high risk of infection when a contact lens is used while sleeping they are generally not encouraged.
2. Toric Lenses - for Astigmatism
Regular lenses are not suitable for people with astigmatism. These lenses are designed specially to correct cylindrical power upto 2.5 diopters to give clearer vision for people with astigmatism
Benefits:
• More stable vision
• Available in daily, monthly, and extended-wear options
• Custom options available for high astigmatism
3. Multifocal / Bifocal Contact Lenses
After the age of 40, the near vision declines and this is called Presbyopia. After the age of 40, correction for distance as well as for near vision is needed. Bifocal contact lenses are useful in this age group
Benefits:
- Clear distance, intermediate, and near vision
- Reduces need for reading glasses
- Available in soft and RGP materials
4. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
These are made up of hard material but with good oxygen permeability. Useful for people with irregular cornea or with those high astigmatism where fitting the regular soft contact lens is not possible. They can correct upto 4 diopters of astigmatism. Moreover the chances of allergic response is less in RGP lenses compared to soft lenses.
5. Special types of contact lenses - Scleral Lenses / Rose K lenses/ Kerasoft lenses
The above mentioned lenses are useful for people with basic refractive errors and to some extent with high astigmatism. But in some with distorted cornea as in keratoconus , corneal scar following injury or healed infection, post corneal transplant surgeries, post LASIK etc, special types of lenses are necessary to get good vision.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are large diameter lenses that rests on the white part of the eye, the Sclera. They are used for variety of conditions like corneal irregularities or in severe dry eye patients as they have a water filled vault in front of the cornea. They give good comfort despite rigid material.
Rose K Lenses
Rose K lenses are custom made lenses that have computer aided posterior lens curves and are very useful for patients with keratoconus.
Kerasoft Lenses
KeraSoft is soft and silicone hydrogel contact lensdesigned to manage irregular corneas including Keratoconus. They are marketed as an alternative to rigid gaspermeable lenses, offering improved comfort and longer wearing times.
How to Use Your Contact Lenses Safely?
- Always handle the lenses with clean, washed hands.
- Clean and rinse the lenses every time after removal. Store them in lens solution when not in use.
- Do not reuse the lens solution. It must be replaced every day.
- The case must be cleaned regularly with warm water at least twice in a week.
- It is advisable to apply cosmetics after inserting the lens.
- If the contact lens develops deposits, enzyme tablets may be used for their removal.
- Always remove the contact lens before sleeping.
- Wear time up to 14 hours is the permissible duration per day.
- Eye medications are not to be applied while the lenses are being worn except for select tear substitutes used for dry eyes.
- Consult your Ophthalmologist immediately in case of pain, redness, or decrease in vision, as contact lens related infections can sometimes cause permanent vision problems.
