Contact Lenses
Alderwood Vision Source in Lynnwood offers many options for contact lenses.
There are several reasons why you might prefer contact lenses to standard eyewear: a glasses-free look, hassle-free vision correction, wearing non-prescription sunwear and goggles, or the convenience of not having to worry about misplacing your glasses. If you have a high prescription or astigmatism, contact lenses may provide more enhanced vision correction than glasses. Today, you can even replace your bifocal glasses with multifocal contact lenses.
Your eye care provider can recommend the best contact lenses for you based on a complete eye examination and a review of your visual needs both at work and play. Since most people can wear more than one type of lens, it’s important to know what the choices are and the advantages and disadvantages to each.
Soft Lenses
These lenses are comfortable to wear and must be replaced monthly, bi-weekly or daily depending on the type you choose. Soft lenses are often recommended for sports because they fit closer to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge. They can provide correction for most prescriptions including astigmatism. Today, with the introduction of newer materials like silicone hydrogels, which allow more oxygen to the eye, patients find it easier than ever to wear soft lenses comfortably.
Multifocal Lenses
In both soft and GP designs, multifocal lenses offer patients both distance and near vision correction similar to a pair of bifocal glasses.
Gas-Permeable (GP) Lenses
Made of moderately flexible plastics, GP lenses offer sharp vision and correct most vision problems. They are more durable than soft contact lenses and can be easier to handle and care for but require a longer adaptation period and consistent wear to maintain adaptation.
Orthokeratology Lenses
Orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K) are an alternative to traditional contact lenses or glasses. These lenses are designed to reshape the cornea of your eye overnight, providing clear vision without the need for corrective eyewear during the day. With Ortho-K, you can enjoy improved visual acuity without surgery, and without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses are a type of specialty lens that are larger in diameter than traditional soft or gas permeable contact lenses. They cover the entire cornea and rest on the white of the eye (the sclera), creating a space between the lens and the cornea that is filled with fluid. This design provides several benefits, including improved comfort for people with sensitive or irregularly shaped corneas, as well as better vision for those with certain eye conditions such as keratoconus. Scleral lenses are custom-fitted for each individual and can be worn for extended periods of time. They require special care and fitting, so it is important to consult with an experienced eye care professional to determine if scleral lenses are right for you.
Regardless of the type of contact lenses you wear, an annual eye exam is recommended to ensure the continued good health of your eyes. Schedule an appointment for an assessment and advice at Alderwood Vision Source in Lynnwood, and we will be in touch with you shortly.
