Types of Contact Lenses

There are two general categories of contact lenses – soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP). All contact lenses require a valid prescription.

Soft Contact Lenses
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses
Extended Wear Contact Lenses
Disposable (Replacement Schedule) Contact Lenses
Decorative (Plano) Contact Lenses

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Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Soft contact lenses may be easier to adjust to and are more comfortable than rigid gas permeable lenses. Newer soft lens materials include silicone-hydrogels to provide more oxygen to your eye while you wear your lenses.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPs) are more durable and resistant to deposit buildup, and generally give a clearer, crisper vision. They tend to be less expensive over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft contact lenses. They are easier to handle and less likely to tear. However, they are not as comfortable initially as soft contacts and it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing RGPs, compared to several days for soft contacts.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses are available for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights or up to 30 days. Extended wear contact lenses are usually soft contact lenses. They are made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are also a very few rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. Length of continuous wear depends on lens type and your eye care professional’s evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. It’s important for the eyes to have a rest without lenses for at least one night following each scheduled removal.

Disposable (Replacement Schedule) Contact Lenses

The majority of soft contact lens wearers are prescribed some type of frequent replacement schedule. “Disposable,” as defined by the FDA, means used once and discarded. With a true daily wear disposable schedule, a brand new pair of lenses is used each day.

Some soft contact lenses are referred to as “disposable” by contact lens sellers, but actually, they are for frequent/planned replacement. With extended wear lenses, the lenses may be worn continuously for the prescribed wearing period (for example, 7 days to 30 days) and then thrown away. When you remove your lenses, make sure to clean and disinfect them properly before reinserting.

Decorative (Plano) Contact Lenses – Colored lenses

Some contact lenses do not correct vision and are intended solely to change the appearance of the eye. These are sometimes called plano, zero-powered or non-corrective lenses.

For example, they can temporarily change a brown-eyed person’s eye color to blue, or make a person’s eyes look “weird” by portraying Halloween themes. Even though these decorative lenses don’t correct vision, they’re regulated by the FDA, just like corrective contact lenses. They also carry the same risks to the eye. These risks include:

If you’re considering getting decorative contact lenses, you should:

• get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional
• get a valid prescription that includes the brand and lens dimensions
• follow directions for cleaning, disinfection, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye care professional for follow-up eye exams

What are the best places to buy contact lenses online:

AClens – a full-service, direct delivery contact lens supply company. Currently, AClens ship lenses to all 50 US states as well as Europe, South America and the Far East.

• All major brands and contact lenses at 50-70% below retail.
  All contact lenses dispensed by AC Lens are the exact lenses prescribed by your doctor. They’re delivered to you in safe, sealed containers direct from the manufacturer.
• No membership fees.
  AClens low prices are available to ALL customers.
• 30-day money back guarantee.
  Items may be returned within 30 days of purchase provided they are unopened, undamaged and in original condition. Defective lenses can be exchanged for the same product if the manufacturer confirms the defect.
• Free online consultation with Optometrists.
  This service is entirely free of charge and is available to both customers and other visitors from the online community.

Contact lenses brands available at AClens:
Acuvue, Air Optix, Bausch & Lomb, Biomedics, Boston, Ciba Vision, Focus, Frequency, Freshlook, Proclear, Purevision, Soflens
Types of contact lenses: Daily Disposable, 1-2 Week Disposable, 1-3 Month Disposable, Conventional (Vial), Toric, RGP (Oxygen Permeable), Colored and Tinted, Bifocal