Contact Lens Type Summary

Contact lenses are much safer today they were in the last couple of decades but they are still not completely without risk and there are definite advantages and disadvantages to some of the different types of contact lenses available.

When you search for contact lens types online you will typically find numerous pages with a large number of commercial brands and very specific types of contact lenses. The chart below is intended to be a very high level summary of the basic contact lens types available today with a brief description of some of the primary advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Type of Contact Lenses	Advantages	Disadvantages
Rigid gas permeable (RGP - semi-hard)	Easy to care for Good for astigmatism Few infections or allergic infections	Can slip off the center of vision more easily than soft contacts Most people need to adjust to them by increasing wearing time
Soft Lenses (daily wear)	Stay in place better than hard lenses Can be disposable Can be worn infrequently without adjustment time	Vision may not be as sharp, depending on correction May be uncomfortable for patients with dry eyes
Astigmatic Soft Lenses	Allow people with astigmatism to wear soft contacts	These are tight lenses and often do not move much on the eye Some eye car professionals recommend a rigid, semipermeable lens
Soft Lenses (extended wear)	Less handling due to non removal, therefore less potential for contamination from hands	Periodic cleaning or disposal is necessary Risk of complications is higher

Soft contact lenses are also available in many colors. Enhancement tint contact lenses are used more to enhance existing eye color and Opaque tinted contact lenses are color tints that dramatically change your eye color.

Additional site references for contact lenses and our recommended suppliers:

Color Contacts : Bifocal Contacts

Corrective Contact Lens - Ortho-K... Corrective contact lens, or corrective contacts, can provide temporary compensation for nearsightedness. [Additional Contact Lens Articles...]

This article is for informational purposes only. For additional information regarding the latest advancements in this area, consult with a qualified eye care specialist. Any and all materials provided on this web site are for information purposes only. Have your eyes examined regularly and always follow your eye care professional's instructions for the proper use and care of your contact lenses.