The World of Contact Lenses

A large portion of patients have no or only a small amount of astigmatism.  For these patients a spherical contact lens is the right choice.  These are available in daily, bi-weekly and monthly disposable versions.  

Many patients have astigmatism in their prescriptions.  Astigmatism refers to the oblong shape to the cornea.  This 'bumpiness' to the cornea must be factored into the patient's contact lens prescription when it reaches a certain amount.  These lenses are commonly refered to as 'toric' contact lenses.  They are availabe in daily and monthly options.

Hard contact lenses were the first contact lenses that were available to the public.  Originally, they were made out glass and then very rigid plastics.  Modern 'hard' contact lenses are made out of various polymers that provide more flexibility to the lenses and more oxygen to the cornea.

Anyone can be fit in a RGP lens, but they are commonly used for patients with very high prescriptions, irregular corneal surface and other corneal diseases.  They are also used in a process called 'ortho K'; which is a technque used to reduce nearsightedness in a patient by changing the corneal curvature over time.

Soft contact lenses are available in a wide varieties of colors to enhance or completely change the color of a patient's eye.

A wide variety of bifocal contact lenses are available for patients who need to have both their distance and near vision corrected.  Soft bifocal contact lenses are available in daily and monthly disposable options.  Bifocal options are also available in RGP varieties as well.

Scleral contact lenses are very large rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses used in patients with various corneal conditions, ranging from keratoconus to severe dry eye.  Due to their large size they are able to compensate for severe corneal irregularities and provide clear vision to patients who can not wear other types of contact lenses or can not obtain clear vision through glasses.