Apart from eyeglasses and LASIK eye surgery, Guilford Eye Center also offers contact lenses as an effective way to correct vision problems. They provide improved visual clarity and comfort. They are also convenient to use. They are often classified according to their material, wearing time or replacement schedule. We discuss our options in detail here:
According to Their Material
The first contact lenses were made of a hard, transparent plastic known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). While they provided excellent optics, they did not allow oxygen to pass through. Fortunately, the 1970s saw the introduction of soft contact lenses that contained hydrogels for improved visual comfort.
In 1978, rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses (RGP) were developed. Similar to PMMA lenses, they consisted of non-pliable materials, but the main difference was that RGPs were porous, allowing oxygen to enter the eyes. Hybrid contact lenses came out around this time as well, featuring a hard center and soft lens skirt, which combined the premier features of both hard and soft contact lenses.
According to Their Wearing Time
Contact lenses designed to be removed and cleaned every night are called daily wear lenses. This was the standard until 1979. With the introduction of extended wear lenses, you can now leave your contacts in even while sleeping. They can usually be worn for seven consecutive days without removing them.
According to Their Replacement Schedule
Your reliable eye care center offers contact lenses with different replacement schedules to suit your lifestyle. Daily disposables are contact lenses meant to be used only once. Frequent replacement contact lenses, on the other hand, are supposed to be discarded after a certain number of weeks or months. Lastly, traditional lenses may be reused for six months or even longer.
We also provide specialized contact lenses to accommodate specific eye care needs. To learn which type is best for you, call us at (336) 387-6777. You may also complete our form to request an appointment. We provide eye care to patients from High Point and the surrounding North Carolina communities.
