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Contact Lenses
Contact
lenses can virtually correct almost any optical problems
and in some cases it is the only solution. Basically,
there are hard (gas permeable) and soft contacts. The
majority of patients are fit with soft so we will begin
our discus sion here. Soft contacts can be divided into
those types that correct farsightedness (Hyperopia),
nearsightedness (Myopia), or those that correct
farsightedness and astigmatism or nearsightedness and
astigmatism. Each of these four categories is available
as a traditional (annual replacement) or as a
disposable/ frequently replaced lens.
When
possible, our office always recommends disposable
lenses. The majority of contact lens related problems
has to do with the lens deposits. Throwing the lenses
away solves this problem. Currently, lenses can be
replaced daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and
quarterly. Our office prefers anything with a #1 on it:
one day, one week, or one month. I feel any other
wearing schedule becomes too burdensome for the patient
to track. Some patients prefer to sleep overnight with
the lenses while other patients prefer to remove the
lenses prior to bedtime. There is a slightly higher
infection rate with lenses that are worn overnight. With
proper patient education and selection I do not have any
significant difference between complications from
wearing the lenses overnight versus daily removal.
However, if a patient is non-compliant and abuses their
lenses by over wearing them then the overnight patient
will probably run into problems faster and these
problems are usually more complicated.
New lens
materials are becoming available that will extend
continuous overnight wear from 7 days to 30 days. 30 day
lenses will give patients convenience that may persuade
some patients to re-consider laser therapy. Gas
Permeable lenses are also available as a daily or
overnight wear lens. This is the type of lens used of
orthokeratology (a specialized method of fitting contact
lenses to flatten the cornea and restore normal eyesight
to the patient) Keratoconic and other corneal
aberrations, or patients that have extreme astigmatism.
Mainstream patients also select this modality. The
advantages of the firm lens are less overall cost, less
“drying” problems and for much crisper optics. The
initial adaptation to the rigid lens is its biggest
drawback. The other negative for this lens is, it
occasionally blinks out and dust can get behind the
lenses, which causes considerable discomfort.
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