Contact Lens News & Info

With over 31 million people wearing contact lenses in the United States alone, it is obvious that contact lenses are the number one choice for many people with vision correction needs. After all, contacts provide close to natural sight, and there are so many different lenses available for a wide variety of needs and preferences.

The flexibility and convenience that contact lenses provide are leading more and more people to contacts as science provides us with greater options in contact lens wear. And because there are so many options, it is important to discuss the matter fully with an eyecare professional, who will consider your overall vision problems, the health of your eyes, and your specific visual needs and motivations. So don't forget to ask your doctor about contact lenses; they may fit your lifestyle just right.

The ultimate contact lens guide
by ROSALIND RYAN, femail.co.uk

ontact lenses are booming in popularity - nearly three million people in the UK are wearing them and this number looks set to keep on growing.

New advances in technology mean people who could not previously wear lenses can now spurn their spectacles in favour of contacts.

And scientists are even promising lenses that could be worn for up to two years before needing to be replaced - removing the daily grind of having to clean and sterilise your contacts.

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Researchers from the Texas Tech University have found that coating contact lenses in selenium - a mineral found in fish, meat and nuts - prevents bacteria from forming, protecting the eye from infection for up to two years.

Unfortunately these lenses are still being developed, but there are a range of contact lenses already available that could be perfect for your needs.

Read our beginners guide to getting contact lenses below and then follow the links at the bottom of the page for common contact lens mistakes and how to correct them.

How can I tell if I need contact lenses?

Before you can tell if you are right for contacts, you need to have your eyes tested by a properly qualified optician - also known as an optometrist.

Optometrists who have qualified as contact lens specialists will have the initials DCLP after their name, standing for a Diploma in Contact Lens Practice.

In addition to testing the strength of your eyes - the common test where you read letters from a chart - the eye examination will determine the health of your eyes and your eyelids, and the quality of your tears, essential for lubricating the surface of your eye.

The curvature - the way the eye 'bends' - and diameter of the cornea at the front of your eye will also be measured, along with the size of your pupils and the position of your eyelids. Using all this information, the optician will then make a decision about the most suitable lenses for your needs.

Whatever lenses you are given, experts recommend having an eye test every year to make sure you are still wearing the right strength for your needs. Most opticians will not dispense new contact lenses unless your prescription is up-to-date.

What type of lenses are available?

The most old fashioned lenses are hard contact lenses made from perspex. Although they last for a long time, oxygen cannot pass through them to reach the eye so users can only wear them for a short period of time.

Hard lenses have now largely been replaced with rigid gas permeable lenses. These lenses are made from a plastic-like material, but have tiny holes in to allow oxygen to pass through to the eye. They may be more suitable for someone with a high degree of astigmatism - an irregularly shaped cornea - as they can correct more serious problems.

Soft contact lenses are the most popular type of contact lenses. Figures from the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers show soft lenses now account for 40 per cent of the market.

Soft lenses are made from a gel-like plastic that have a high water content. They easily allow oxygen to reach the eye and because they are so supple, can mould easily to the shape of the eyeball.

Because the lenses have a high water content, they also tend to be larger and thinner than gas permeable lenses. The Eyecare Trust says users can get used to leaving them in all day within just one week of having them fitted.

The latest development in contact lenses is disposable lenses. These are soft lenses that come sealed in their own sterile containers, virtually eliminating the need for a cleansing and sterilising routine.

Disposable lenses can be worn on a weekly or monthly basis, so you throw them away at the end of this period, or even on a daily basis. This means you open a fresh pack every day.

The final option available is extended wear lenses. Although most contact lenses are worn on a daily basis i.e. you take them out at the end of the day, some lenses allow you to sleep in them. These extended wear lenses can be worn for up to one month before you need to take them out and clean them or dispose of them.

You can also buy fun coloured contact lenses. These lenses are not prescription lenses so they will not improve your eyesight, but they can change the colour of your eyes or give you a funky 'animal eyeball' look!