Dear Reader,

As an alternative to prescription glasses, contact lenses not only correct vision, but also allow for peripheral vision and free wearers of fogged up, wet, and/or dirty eyeglasses; however, contact lenses have their own unique cons, too. Contact lenses have evolved over 50 years, and now are commonly available and accessible at a fairly reasonable cost. In addition, many insurance companies cover contact lenses (as well as prescription glasses).

Currently, two types of contact lenses are available:

Rigid gas-permeable (a.k.a. RGP, or oxygen permeable) RGP lenses are made from a strong, solid plastic that allows oxygen and other gases to reach the eye. They should not be confused with the original "hard contact lenses" that were originally developed more than 50 years ago and are now outdated and off the market. RGP lenses are custom made to fit the specific contours of one's eyes, which have to be measured in a comprehensive examination by an eye care provider (e.g., an ophthalmologist or optometrist). These lenses hold their shape better and allow for sharper, clearer vision than the more commonly worn soft contact lenses. More rigid than soft contacts, RGPs may take some getting used to by the wearer, but this feature may also help slow the further development of nearsightedness by keeping the eye from changing shape. RGP lenses are also less likely to absorb bacteria or protein deposits from the eye that can cause infection or irritation because they absorb less water. These lenses are meant to be worn daily, and are expected to last for a year, so they need to be carefully and regularly cleaned.

Soft contact lenses
Eighty-five percent of contact wearers use soft contact lenses. They are less expensive since they don't require custom fitting. Soft lenses also conform to the eye, rather than make the eye adjust to them (like the RGPs), so they don't take as long to get used to — although it can take some practice to put these "thin, floppy" lenses in the eyes. Some of these soft lenses can be worn daily for up to a year, and others come available in a disposable option — someone wears a set of lenses for a day (dailies), or a week or two (weeklies), then throws them out (without having to bother with a meticulous cleaning schedule) and starts using a new pair. (Of course, if one's lenses seem fine after one or two weeks, it may be hard to toss out what seem to be perfectly good lenses; however, the longer someone wears them beyond their designated time period, the greater the chance of developing an eye infection.) Soft contact lenses are usually more comfortable than RGP lenses, but they may not be able to correct all types of vision problems. Soft lenses tend to absorb stains and bacteria more easily than RGPs, which is why they are more frequently replaced with a fresh set, reducing the risk of eye complications and minimizing the need for cleaning. These lenses also offer an aesthetic alternative — different tinted colors. One's set of baby blues could be transformed to a pair of gorgeous greens (or brilliant browns, gracious grays, vampy violets, etc.).

Clearly, no one lens fits all. RGP lenses aren't always better than soft lenses, or vice versa. It's also impossible to judge how well a type of contact lens will work for you based solely on the percentage of water it contains. The length of time you can safely wear your lenses will also depend on the type of lens and the material from which it is made. Talk with your eye care provider about the benefits and disadvantages of the different types of lenses for you, considering your specific vision problems. Take into account your routines and lifestyle as well. Are you particular about cleaning your contacts on a daily basis, or would you rather pop your contacts into the trash after a 12- to 16-hour-day, or have a set of lenses to wear for an entire week, before going on to a brand new set? With expert advice, thought, and experience, you'll get a clearer picture.

Alice

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