Standard Disposable Contact Lenses

Standard disposable contact lenses are very common and are usually made to be replaced on a two week basis.  People who do the best in these lenses take them out on a regular basis to give their eyes a rest.  They also have a nice pair of glasses and replace their contact lenses when they're supposed to. 

People who come in with eye infections from their contact lenses are typically those who overwear their contact lenses.  Either they wear them from the time they get up until the time they go to bed or they sleep in them on a regular basis.  Often they don't have an acceptable pair of glasses and don't replace their lenses when they're supposed to.

The most popular brands of standard disposable contact lenses are Biofinity, Purevision 2, Acuvue Oasys,  Air Optix, and Proclear.  We carry many other excellent brands.

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Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses are quickly becoming the most popular lenses.  These lenses breath more oxygen and so they can be worn for longer periods of time with less risk of infection and less eye redness.  Some are approved for sleeping in and others are not, based on their oxygen permeability.

The most common silicone hydrogel contact lenses to sleep in breath 4 to 6 times more oxygen than standard disposable contact lenses.  These are approved by the FDA for 30 day continuous wear, although many patients choose to take them out regularly.  These are the healthiest lenses for your eyes.  The only brand we feel comfortable recommending for extended wear are Ciba Night & Day becasue they breath more oxygen than any other brand.  However, patients still get corneal ulcers with long-term use even in these lenses.  They are replaced on a 30 day basis.

The most popular silicone hydrogel lenses not approved for sleeping in are the Acuvue Oasys.  These lenses are very comfortable, but cause more eye inflammation than any other lens.  They are replaced every two weeks.

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Soft Toric Contact Lenses

Soft toric contact lenses are for people who have astigmatism.  So they help you have sharper vision.  Contrary to popular belief, almost all degrees of astigmatism can be corrected with soft toric contact lenses.  They are available in standard and silicone hydrogel materials. 

The most popular torics are B&L Soflens Toric, Biofinity Toric, and Frequency 55 toric.  There are many other excellent toric lenses we can fit you in.  

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Multifocal Contact Lenses

There are contact lens options for patients over 43 years old who would like to see distance and near without having to wear readers.  The most common method is monovision.  In monovision, the dominant eye is typically set for distance and the other eye for near.  The brain pays attention to the clear eye and ignores the blurred eye at any distance. 

Approximately 80% of patients find monovision acceptable.  We fine the lenses that give you the best chance for success.  If they seem acceptable to you, we have you try the lenses out in the real world.

The primary drawback to monovision is starbursts from headlights at night.  Most patients deal with it, but some patients need a pair of night driving glasses or a third contact lens for distance for their normally near eye. Some patients are unable to adapt to monovision.  The doctor can usually tell within a few minutes if monovision will work for you. 

Another contact lens option for these patients is multifocal contact lenses.  About 65% of patients who try this option find it acceptable.  A few patients prefer multifocals option to monovision.  The most successful brands of multifocal lenses are the Soflens Multifocal, Air Optix Multifocal. Frequency 55 Multifocal, Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia, and Proclear Multifocals.  We will try several brands until we find one that works the best for you. 

It is frustrating to lose your near vision. But if you are willing to accept a degree of compromise and imperfection, then we can likely improve the chance of multifocal contact lenses working for you. Expect the process to take some time and multiple visits. 

If you want to be able to see distance and near in contact lenses past age 43, you WILL get haloes or starbursts from headlights at night.  There is no way around that.  We can consider using glasses over the contact lenses at night to minimize that, but that's another pair of glasses.  

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We usually fit these contact lenses on patients who have irregular corneas for whom soft contact lenses don't provide adequate vision.  Irregular corneas can be caused by keratoconus, RK surgery, LASIK surgery, or corneal transplant.  The rigid lens provides a new refracting surface, negating the irregular corneal surface. 

Bitoric RGP lenses can also be very useful in patients who have very high amounts of irregular astigmatism. 

The downside of RGP lenses is that they are more uncomfortable at first, can pop out of the eye easily, can decenter easily, and get dust and other particles under them, causing irritation.  They are also more challenging to fit, therefore requiring more time and frequency of clinic visits. 

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Hybrid Contact Lenses

These are lenses that have a soft skirt, but are rigid in the center.  These provide the advantages of both soft and rigid lenses without the disadvantages.  This lens stays centered very well, debris cannot get underneath them, they are comfortable like a soft lens, and they correct irregular cornea like a rigid lens.  They are replaced every 6 months.  They are ideal for those patients that need RGP lenses but can't get an adequate fit with RGP lenses.  These lenses are available for keratoconic patients and patients who have irregular corneas from surgery.  They are also available as a multifocal.  It is very likely that in the future, they will be the preferred lens for corneal reshaping therapy.  

Synergeyes is the only company making hybrid contact lenses.  The primary downside is the expense of these lenses.  But for some patients it is well worth the cost.

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Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT)

For more information or to make an appointment call  480-812-2211  or e-mail us.

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