With the help of a qualified vision professional you can easily consider your options for soft contact lenses. The Mayo Clinic points out that soft contact lenses are a great option for the active individual. This is due to their ability to stay in place better than gas permeable lenses. Soft contacts come in three varieties: daily wear, single use and extended wear. Each variety has pros and cons that you can discuss with your eye care professional. Price, care and special eye conditions can help make the decision as to which variety of soft lenses is right for you.
Step 1
Schedule and complete an eye exam, including a scan of your eyeball to allow for proper contact construction. This is sometimes included in the basic eye exam, but consult your clinic before arriving. This eye scan measures the surface area of the eyeball, as if to create a mold for constructing the lens.
Step 2
Request the price for daily wear, single use and extended use contact lenses. You will likely find that single use contact lenses are the most expensive of the three choices, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Consider the care and usage guidelines for single use contact lenses. As the name implies, a new pair is worn every day and removed before bed at night. No additional cleaning solution or eye drops are needed with this type of lens.
Step 4
Consider daily wear contact lenses. These can be worn every day for about one week to four weeks. The longer the lens can be worn, the stiffer the lens may be, says the Mayo Clinic. Daily cleansing is required to remove bacteria and prevent eye infection.
Step 5
Consider the care of extended wear contact lenses. These can be worn for up to seven days straight. These lenses allow oxygen to permeate the cornea even when sleeping, unlike other forms of soft lenses. It is still not recommended that these lenses be worn extensively without removing and cleaning them.
Step 6
Based on the variety of soft lens you have selected, discuss with your doctor the differences in each brand. Sometimes there is minimal difference besides price. Some lens brands have the option to change the eye color. Selecting a brand is a personal choice and has little bearing on the efficacy of the vision correction.
Step 7
Purchase your new soft contact lens. It may be wise to start with a small package to try them out for several days. Some brands and types may be more irritating to some users.
Tips and Warnings
- Report any unusual or uncomfortable side effects of using the lenses. Possible effects can include eye redness, dryness and discomfort. These effects can be a sign that a different lens would be more appropriate.
