Contact lenses can be used to correct various vision defects. These compact visual aids are available in both hard and soft forms. How do the two types of lenses differ from each other and how do you find the right contact lenses?
Comfortable fit after a short adjustment period
Hard contact lenses have a stable shape and, due to their oxygen and gas permeability, are very well tolerated. Hard lenses can also be used to compensate for complicated refractive errors such as severe astigmatism. Before fitting contact lenses, an examination of the eyes should first be carried out by an ophthalmologist or a certified optician, during which the exact visual impairment is determined.
Depending on the vision problem to be corrected, the appropriate contact lenses are then selected. Hard lenses have a smaller diameter compared to soft contact lenses. With every eye movement, they slide back and forth on the cornea and can cause an unusual feeling at the beginning. After wearing them several times, the lenses are usually barely noticeable. Even for sensitive people, they are no longer perceived as a foreign body in the eye after a certain adjustment period.
Contact lenses are often superior to glasses
Soft contact lenses are characterized by their high water content and silicone content. The combination of both materials achieves the high flexibility typical of soft lenses. Since flexible lenses adapt to the shape of the cornea, they are less suitable for correcting major refractive errors, but they are more comfortable to wear than hard lenses. Soft lenses have a larger diameter than the cornea and cannot slip in the eye. Wearing contact lenses does not change one's outward appearance. In many situations, lenses are clearly superior to glasses as a visual aid and are more comfortable to wear. Experts recommend having an initial fitting of contact lenses performed by an ophthalmologist. In an ophthalmologist's practice, the eyes are first examined and the required visual acuity is determined. An ophthalmologist can advocate wearing contact lenses or recommend glasses as an alternative. In addition to determining visual acuity, an ophthalmological examination also includes measuring the surface of the cornea. The specialist can tell from the condition of the tear film whether the patient can wear contact lenses or not. Hard and soft lenses are available in various versions as daily lenses, monthly lenses, or disposable lenses.
Avoid hygiene errors and wearing them for too long
When choosing suitable contact lenses, it depends on whether they are to be worn all day, only for a few hours, or only occasionally for sports or going out. High-quality hard and soft brand-name contact lenses and suitable care products are available at Fielmann. The optician chain's service also includes regular free follow-up checks. Further information about the offers and the website can be found on the internet. Disposable lenses must be disposed of after a single use and replaced with a new pair, while monthly lenses can be used for up to 30 days. To prevent inflammation and infections in the eyes, contact lenses must be cleaned carefully after wearing. Most contact lens problems arise from hygiene errors or wearing them for too long. Before inserting contact lenses, hands must be washed thoroughly. The container in which the lenses are stored must be cleaned and dried immediately after each use and disinfected at regular intervals. Care solutions cannot be used multiple times.
