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Contact Lenses

What are the different types of Contact Lenses?

There are two general categories of contact lenses – soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP). All contact lenses require a valid prescription.

• Soft Contact Lenses
• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses
• Extended Wear Contact Lenses
• Disposable (Replacement Schedule) Contact Lenses

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Soft contact lenses may be easier to adjust to and are more comfortable than rigid gas permeable lenses. Newer soft lens materials include silicone-hydrogels to provide more oxygen to your eye while you wear your lenses.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPs) are more durable and resistant to deposit buildup, and generally give a clearer, crisper vision. They tend to be less expensive over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft contact lenses. They are easier to handle and less likely to tear. However, they are not as comfortable initially as soft contacts and it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing RGPs, compared to several days for soft contacts.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses are available for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights or up to 30 days. Extended wear contact lenses are usually soft contact lenses. They are made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are also a very few rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. Length of continuous wear depends on lens type and your eye care professional’s evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. It’s important for the eyes to have a rest without lenses for at least one night following each scheduled removal.

Disposable (Replacement Schedule) Contact Lenses

The majority of soft contact lens wearers are prescribed some type of frequent replacement schedule. “Disposable,” as defined by the FDA, means used once and discarded. With a true daily wear disposable schedule, a brand new pair of lenses is used each day.

For more information on Contact Lenses, click here.

About Crystalens®

Crystalens® is an
accommodating intraocular
lens that, unlike a standard
IOL, can treat both a person’s cataracts and presbyopia- loss of near and intermediate vision.

Crystalens not only treats your cataracts (a clouding or hardening of your lens), but can also reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses. It does so by recreating accommodation similar to your eye’s natural lens.

Crystalens is designed to allow the optic, or the central circular part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as you constantly change focus on images around you. Crystalens flexes as you focus your vision.

To learn more about this product, visit www.crystalens.com.

In the United States, on average over 8000 cataract procedures are performed a day. The cataract procedure is quick, simple and allows for relatively fast healing.

This safe and painless procedure typically starts with eye numbing drops and a micro seal being made at the edge of the cornea. The natural lens is gently washed away and Crystalens is implanted. Crystalens can be implanted quickly and without sensation. Most patients return for a follow-up visit with the physician the day after surgery.