Soft contact lenses are thin and flexible plastic, which fit easily to your eyes. Due to their thin and flexible nature, they mold easily to the shape of your eye. Soft contact lenses are made of flexible material. They are made of water-containing materials designed for comfort and ease of use. Soft eye lenses help retain moisture and allow oxygen to flow through to the cornea of the eyes. These lenses are a comfortable but more fragile type of contact lens, yet they help to maintain the overall health of the eye. Soft contact lenses can be disposable and non-disposable.
Soft eye lenses are made of hydrogels, which are flexible plastics that combine water into their design for extra hydration. These contact lenses are also made from hydrophilic (water-attracting) soft polymers. Most often silicone hydrogel, which allows oxygen to pass through to the eye.
Silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen through to the eye than “regular” hydrogels and also dehydrate less when worn for longer durations. They’re thought to be the most advanced soft lenses available.
Soft contact lenses are perfect for occasional wear. They hardly dislodge from the eye, which makes them suitable for sports, etc.
Soft contact lenses not only offer a versatile and comfortable option for vision correction, but there are more to know than you think. This article breaks down everything you need to know—from materials used for making soft lenses to comfort and fitting tips, ensuring safe usage. We’ll explore their cost, popular brands, and care instructions while weighing in on expert opinions, potential risks, and their environmental impact. Plus, we’ll touch on the latest trends, legal considerations, and alternatives to help you make informed choices about this essential vision solution.
Materials Used for Soft Lenses
Soft lenses are made of hydrogel materials (low-DK materials) and silicone hydrogel materials (high-DK materials). These types of materials help to correct different refractive errors. They also provide soft, flexible, absorbent plastic that remains soft when hydrated with solution or water but hardens when dry. Soft contact lenses have different materials. Newer, softer, and breathable contact lenses have silicone hydrogel materials as their make-up.
Hydrogels are made from polymers that are water-absorbing, which allows high water content within the lenses, increasing hydration, and maintaining a moist environment on the eye. They are popular and used by many; why? Because of their nature and affordability. They enable good vision and are comfortable to wear.
Silicone hydrogels are advanced materials that combine silicone with hydrogels, allowing more oxygen to the cornea or the outer surface of the eye. The distinctive merit is that silicone hydrogels promote healthier eyes and decrease the risk of corneal complications compared to hydrogels. They improved resistance to deposits and are more comfortable for longer periods of use. They are mostly prescribed by your eye doctor than the standard hydrogel lenses.
Types
Extended-wear contact lenses
Manufacturers design them for wearers to use over a longer period of time. You can wear them overnight and continuously for up to 30 days. However, though they can be worn overnight, they still need to be washed and disinfected weekly. Your eye doctor can check your eyes and suggest how long you can wear them. This is because the period of wearing it differs for people and also the specific type of lens. After any scheduled removal, sleep without lenses at least for a night to give your eyes rest. Extended wearing of contact can significantly increase the risk of corneal infection.
Daily Wear contact lenses
Just as the name goes, these lenses are to be used daily. They are the cheapest type of soft contact lens. Most people wear daily contact lenses during the day and remove them at night. They are stored in contact solution and reused in the morning. They should be disposed of and replaced with new pairs on a regular basis. Replacement of this type of lens depends on the particular type of lenses and also the advice of your eye doctor.
Disposable wear contact lenses
This type of contact lens is worn and replaced daily. There is a lower risk of infection, and it provides enough comfort to the wearer. This lens is best for people with allergies and those prone to protein deposits on their lenses. Most disposable lenses are meant to be used during the day and be removed at night. They can be replaced on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. In case of irritation or issue, contact your eye doctor for advice.
Toric Soft Contact Lens is used to correct astigmatism.
Bifocal Soft Contact Lens helps to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Multifocal soft contact lenses: used to correct eye defects like astigmatism and also adapt to physical changes to the eyes.
Cosmetic soft contact lenses can be used for accessory purposes to change one’s look, like in movies, Halloween, cosplay, etc.; they are used to change the color of the eyes.
Comfort
Soft contact lenses provide maximum comfort over glasses and rigid contact lenses. It fits the shape of the eyes for maximum comfort to the wearer, especially first-time wearers.
One of their major functions is that they enhance vision. Cn correct different vision issues, and there are different soft contact lenses for each eye defect. They meet your particular need, ensuring clear and perfect vision. They provide enhanced peripheral vision that glasses cannot provide.
Uses of soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are used for comfort and also to avoid wearing glasses. They can be used to correct eye defects like farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
According to the Nation Library of Medicine, “While soft, corneal RPG, and hybrid contact lens platforms have been the object of previous reviews, multifocal scleral-supported contact lenses have been recently used for presbyopia correction.”
They can be used in cases of astigmatism where glasses cannot provide adequate vision. Soft contact lenses can be used after cataract or refractive surgery if under- or over-correction happens. In some cases of eye disease of the cornea, soft contact lenses can be used as bandage lenses to help the cornea reduce the pain and also in healing.
Fitting
Soft contact lenses can make you feel uncomfortable when they are not properly fitted or even cause severe complications to the eyes. One can have contact lens intolerance when they wear improperly fitted lenses for a long time. Some symptoms of an improperly fitted contact lens include irritation, pain, and discomfort.
Regular wearing of unfitted soft contact lens can cause corneal ulcers, eye infection, loss of vision in serious cases, corneal abrasion, eye redness and irritation etc. In soft contact lens fitting, your pupils will be measured by the eye doctor with an automated device.
For a soft contact lens to be fitted, there will be corneal coverage. The cornea should be covered with a lens in primary look and all positions of gaze. This helps to prevent desiccation of an exposed cornea leading to epithelial staining. Astigmatic patients can have abnormally-shaped corneas and need to measure the curvature of the cornea by their eye doctor.
It must be dynamic-fitting too. There should be an exchange of tears by the lens to help metabolic waste from the cornea be removed. Though soft contact lenses play little role in corneal oxygenation. There is little effect of the tear pump of soft contact lenses compared to rigid contact lenses. This is important in managing soft contact lens patients. The eye doctor should avoid increasing lens movement to alleviate hypoxic signs in the hydrogel lens users.
In alignment, the soft contact lenses have to align with the cornea and the conjunctiva and not the indent conjunctiva. The presence of indentation shows stagnation of tears and decreased oxygen supply to the limbus.
The discomfort from the lenses is an indication that your soft contact lenses are not well fitted and should be discussed with your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will conduct an eye exam to know the cause of the discomfort.
Safety Consideration
To prevent running the risk of infection by soft contact wearers such as corneal abrasion, eye irritation, or even conjunctivitis, safety considerations have to be in place. Corneal ulcers are a common eye infection, which are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. These complications can be prevented by daily care of the contact lenses and the eyes.
Some of the safety considerations include:
- Wash and disinfect your lenses properly. Read and adhere to instructions on the product label when using contact lens solutions. This is to avoid eye injury. It is important if a hydrogen peroxide solution was recommended by your eye doctor.
- In extended soft contact lenses, replace the contact lens storage cases at least every 3 months or as directed by your eye doctor. For contact lens solutions that have hydrogen peroxide, always use the new contact lens case that comes with each box and adhere to all instructions attached to or inside the packing.
- Always remove contacts before you swim.
- Always throw away all the used solution after each use, and add fresh solution to your contact lens case.
- Never transfer contact lens solution to another container. The container can be contaminated, which damages your eyes.
- Never overlook any symptoms like eye infection or irritation that can be linked to using contact lenses.
- Don’t sleep with your contact lenses except as prescribed by your eye doctor. Wearing lenses during bedtime can increase the risk of infection. This can also reduce the amount of oxygen to the eye, thereby stressing the cornea.
- Report severe eye issues associated with your lenses to your eye doctor.
Cost
According to Warby Parker, the cost of disposable contact lenses is about $200 to $1,000 each year, or $15 to $85 per month for regular users if both eyes are bought. The range differs and is broad because it comprises different types of contact lenses for different kinds of vision correction.
Buying soft contact lenses requires spending money often over time. It can be uneasy when tracking the cost of contact lenses each month, year, or even day if you are buying boxes. The cost of contact lenses depends mostly on visual need and prescription. On average, daily contacts cost about $50-$75 each month and about $600-$900 per year. Daily contacts cost a bit higher than other contacts due to their comfort. There is no need to buy contact solution cases for storage. A fresh pair of contacts each day reduces the irritation.
Biweekly contacts cost about $20 to $35 per month and $270 to $360 per year. Monthly contacts cost approximately $15 to $25 per month, $180 to $300 per year.
Contact lenses for astigmatism cost about 30 to $120 per month and about $300 to $800 per year. Contact lenses for Presbyopia cost approximately $30 to $120 per month, $300 to $800 per year.
Different factors determine the cost of contact lenses. These include the type of vision correction, brand, frequency of use, your eye prescription strength, etc. Therefore, the amount you spend on soft contact lenses depends on how often you want to replace them.
Manufacturers can offer discounts on their products to those buying a large quantity at once. Unlike glass lenses, contact lenses have a limited lifespan; don’t be carried away with the quantity discounts. However, don’t get carried away with quantity discounts; around four years. Always check the expiration month and date.
Popular Brands
You have different contacts of reputable brands to choose from. Deciding which brand and contacts depends on your specific vision needs. Your vision needs can change over time; therefore, regular eye exams by your eye doctor is a good idea.
Don’t relent to visit and check out the options mentioned in this post if you don’t find a certain brand of contacts that isn’t perfect for you. To choose the right brand, schedule a contact lens fitting with your eye doctor. A comprehensive examination will be done to know your vision correction needs and overall eye health.
Some reputable brands include:
- Kiama Costmetics
- Acuvue
- Alcon
- Bausch + Lomb
- CooperVision
- comfi
- Biofinity
- Air Optix
- Dailies
- Alcon
- Waldo
- Dailies
Care Instructions
Cleaning your lenses is important to prevent eye infection and eye sores. Cleaning of the lenses removes bacteria and harmful chemicals.
- Always wash, rinse, and dry your hands with a towel before touching your contact lenses. Traces of soaps, perfume, etc. shouldn’t be used around your eyes.
- Wash your lens case daily with solution.
- Follow the cleaning directions of your contact lenses.
- Don’t sleep with your contact lens.
- Wear your contact lenses before you put on eye makeup.
- Visit your eye doctor once or twice a year to check your lenses.
- Remove your contact before swimming or showering. This will prevent infections.
Reliable Advantages
Soft contact lenses are a better alternative to eyeglasses to correct eye defects. It provides different advantages, especially comfort to the wearers. Let’s check out the advantages of soft contact lenses to help you understand why they are a better option for you.
- They enhance comfort. It gives you comfort and a better option to correct your eye defect.
- They provide a natural appearance.
- They provide clear and obstructed vision.
- Provides corrective options for various vision issues.
- It enhances vision stability.
- Shortsighted people who wear contact lenses will have the advantage of better vision. This is because the images appear larger with contact lenses.
- Soft contact lenses help reduce irritation from smoke.
Expert Opinions
Soft contact lenses are specifically designed to prioritize comfort, making them a popular choice among contact lens wearers. These lenses are made from a flexible and breathable material that allows for a comfortable wearing experience throughout the day.
One of the key advantages of soft contact lenses is their ability to conform to the shape of the eye. They are made from a hydrophilic material that contains a significant amount of water, which helps to keep the lenses moist and comfortable. This high water content ensures that the lenses remain soft and pliable, reducing the risk of irritation or discomfort.
Additionally, soft contact lenses provide a smooth and cushioned surface that gently rests on the eye.
Soft contact lenses enhance comfort by reducing irritation and friction caused by eye movement and blinking. They provide excellent vision quality and clarity. They are beneficial for individuals who engage in sports or other physical activities and have active lifestyles.
Soft contact lenses provide convenience and are easy to use; the insertion and removal is a simple process and can be mastered with little or no assistance.
They are a better choice for people with different vision issues, as they have different types that handle particular needs. There are soft contact lenses suitable for any eye defect.
While soft contact lenses provide numerous benefits, they also have negative attributes to look out for before deciding if they are a better option for you.
Soft contact can cause discomfort and eye dryness. This mostly occurs when a person with dry eye spends much time in an environment with low humidity. This can lead to irritation, redness, and a gritty feeling in the eyes.
They are more prone to bacterial and fungal infections than other contact lenses. Poor hygiene and lens care practices can increase the risk of developing eye infections, such as keratitis.
Soft contact lenses are made of a material that allows less oxygen to reach the cornea than RGP contact lenses. This can cause the cornea to become less healthy over time and may result in corneal swelling or other complications.
Soft contact lenses require careful use to prevent damage. They are very delicate and can easily tear compared to rigid gas-permeable lenses.
They are more costly than other types of lenses, especially lenses such as toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses for presbyopia.
It is important to hear from your eye doctor as you discuss these potential disadvantages to know if soft contact lenses are the best option for your specific needs and lifestyle.
Potential risk factors.
There are many risk factors associated with wearing soft contact lenses. These risk factors include dry eyes, infections, irritation and discomfort, corneal ulcers, corneal edema, etc.
Microbial keratitis
This infection is a severe risk of wearing soft contact lenses. This is one of the most serious potential complications from contact lens wearing. This risk depends on the contact lens cleaning, type of lens, and frequency of use.
Inflammatory Conditions
Wearing soft contact lenses can put the wearer at risk of inflammation. Risk factors for corneal infiltrative events linked to contact lenses include lens material, age, wear modality, hygiene practice, duration of wear, and overnight wear.
Papillary Conjunctivitis
The use of soft lenses, especially silicone hydrogel lenses, has been a risk factor for contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis. Symptoms associated with this are pruritus, erythema, upper palpebral conjunctiva, and mucoid discharge. The wearer may develop lens intolerance.
Discomfort and Dryness
Discomfort and dryness can be caused by decreased oxygen flow to the cornea when using a soft contact lens. Contact lenses limit the quantity of oxygen reaching the eyes. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and a gritty sensation.
Environmental Impact of Soft Contact Lenses.
As a wearer of contact lenses, your actions towards environmental impact make a significant difference. Your habits or choices contribute to environmental friendliness or affect it negatively. Here are some things to do when using contact lenses.
There should be proper disposal. Disposing of your contact lenses into the trash or flushing them can lead to microplastic pollution, thereby harming aquatic ecosystems. The correct way to dispose of them is by local recycling.
Reduce your frequency of use of contact lenses. Alternating between contacts and traditional glasses is a better approach to achieve this. Wear glasses for particular activities; extend the lifespan of your lenses, thereby reducing waste and usage. This can be economical too.
Support brands rather than prioritize sustainability. Brands like Kiama Costmestics invest in eco-friendly materials and support recycling initiatives.
Alternatives
Hybrid Lenses
A hybrid contact lens is a combination of soft contact and hard contact lenses. Hybrid contacts have a center made from rigid gas-permeable plastic surrounded by a soft lens material. This hybrid design combines the comfort of soft lenses with the sharp optics of GP contact. However, hybrid lenses are costlier than either soft or GP lenses, and fitting is time-consuming and always tougher.
Extended wear contact lenses
Extended wear contact lenses are available for overnight or continuous wear, which ranges from one to six nights or up to 30 days. These extended-wear contact lenses are mostly soft contact lenses.