Contact Lenses: Types and Their Pros and Cons

If you are thinking about adding contact lenses to your daily routine, there are several different options on the market. In our climate, the wind and low humidity can cause issues, like dry eyes, and potentially make it difficult for some contact wearers. Talk to your eye doctor about whether contact lenses would be a viable option for you.

Types of Contact Lenses

Daily Disposable Lenses
Daily disposable lenses allow patients to put in a fresh pair of contacts every morning and dispose of them at the end of the day.
They provide a high level of comfort and almost no upkeep as they do not require daily cleaning. These lenses are generally thinner and come packaged with surface lubricants that slowly wear off throughout the day. Ideal candidates for daily disposable lenses are children, athletes with an infrequent or inconsistent wearing schedule, and those having comfort issues with reusable lenses. Daily disposable lenses are the most commonly prescribed type in Europe, but they are quickly increasing in popularity in the US.


Planned Replacement Lenses

The majority of contact lenses prescribed in the US are planned replacement lenses – typically monthly or biweekly. Less frequent replacement helps keep costs down, but these lenses require more upkeep to maintain comfort and prevent infections. Advances in material technology have greatly improved the breathability of these lenses while maintaining comfort. Some brands are FDA approved for overnight (also called extended) wear because they are more permeable to oxygen. All still require some maintenance to disinfect and re-hydrate the lens. Your doctor will educate you on the best solution and care routine for your particular lens.


Multifocal lenses

Multifocal contact lenses help reduce dependence on reading glasses for the 40+ population. They provide distance and near focus and can be customized for your particular near demands. They also come in daily or planned replacement options.


Specialty Lenses

Advances in lens materials and manufacturing have led to new options for doctors treating specific eye diseases such as keratoconus, corneal transplants, severe dry eye, and more. These lenses are custom made to fit the particular shape of your eye or irregular prescription. Scleral or hybrid skirt lenses can provide visual acuity not achievable with off-the-shelf lenses or spectacles. They can also be used in severe cases of dry eye, such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, to protect the cornea while also correcting vision. At advanced eye care, we specialize in these custom lenses and utilize technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Corneal Topography to aid in the fitting process.

For help determining which type of contacts are best for you, schedule a contact lens fitting at Advanced Eye Care in Amarillo.

OCT scan of a scleral lens gently landing outside of the cornea

Topography of a normal cornea


Topography of an irregular cornea due to scarring.

By | 2019-06-13T14:13:30+00:00 April 15th, 2019|Contact Lenses|0 Comments