When people need corrective lenses they can either do nothing or choose from a few methods of correction. Some people get eye surgery to correct their vision. This is often too risky or too expensive for some people and so the choice between glasses and contacts comes into play. If you choose glasses, the decision generally becomes one of fashion; which do I enjoy wearing the most? However, contacts can be a little tricky and there are few things you should know about the differences between them.
Choosing the Right Contacts
Hard Contacts
Not all contacts are created equal. There are many brands out there that, on occasion, specialize for certain types of wearers. When choosing contacts you need to know which you can wear. This depends on your eyes. Some people can only wear hard contacts which are made from polymers. These are more rigid than the other contacts, but generally offer the same level of vision correction. Some people report that these are harder to get used to because of their rigidity.
Soft Contacts
Soft contact lenses are one of the most commonly used contacts today. They are made from a softer, more flexible material and tend to be disposable. There are many levels of disposability of these contacts, typically ranging from daily disposable (one time use) to monthly (dispose after 4 weeks and daily cleaning). The benefit to daily disposables is that you don’t need to clean them; you use a fresh pair every day.
The type of vision correction you need as well as things like how much, if any, astigmatism you have helps determine the type of lens you need. Speaking with your ophthalmologist will help you choose a brand and type of contact that is best suited for your eyes. If you get contacts that need to be cleaned daily they can also give you advice on which cleaners are best for your contacts.
