The contact lens is a clear disk that focuses light rays to make an image on the retina (light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye). There are a variety of types and models, including soft, hard, extended wear, daily disposable, and bifocal lenses.

Soft contacts are usually made of a water-absorbing material such as silicone hydrogel. Rigid gas-permeable lenses are firmer and less comfortable than soft contacts, but they are durable and correct more severe vision problems, such as substantial astigmatism.

Soft Contact Lenses

The vast majority of contact lens wearers in the world are prescribed soft lenses. These are primarily used on a planned or disposable basis, where a fresh pair is worn each day and discarded at the end of the wear period. Advanced silicone hydrogel materials have transformed the lens wearing experience in terms of both clinical performance and comfort.

While many hypoxia-related problems are currently resolved with second generation silicone hydrogel materials, a number of mechanical and surface material-related complications still exist. These include abrasions, eye infections and discomfort, surface deposits and poor lens clarity.

Hard contact lenses, also known as Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses, are made of a harder polymer than older versions that were made of PMMA, which caused the cornea to swell. RGP lenses are durable, allow for adequate oxygen to reach the cornea and provide sharp vision in those with misshapen corneas such as keratoconus. They require more specialized fitting processes and daily maintenance in-office and at home.

Hard Contact Lenses

Rigid gas permeable, or RGP, contact lenses are designed for people who require a more specialized lens solution than soft disposable contacts can offer. Those who need rigid contact lenses often have irregular corneas, high prescriptions or dry eyes and may have experienced complications from a previous eye surgery like radial keratotomy (RK) or laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

RGPs are primarily made of breathable polymer materials such as silicone hydrogel which allow more oxygen to reach the surface of the eye than traditional hard lenses. They also have a more durable design that can last up to two years and are typically less expensive than soft lenses in the long run.

However, hard lenses tend to have a longer period of time before they feel comfortable, require more maintenance and can increase your risk of developing a sight-threatening eye infection. Proper care is important for those who wear them, including daily cleaning and weekly polishing.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are large GP contacts that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera). Scleral lenses are beneficial for hard-to-fit eyes or those suffering from dry eyes, because they shield the sensitive front surface of your cornea. The extra space between the back of the lens and your cornea acts as a reservoir for tears, which keeps your eyes more comfortable.

We prescribe scleral contact lenses to help correct a number of vision issues, including keratoconus and other corneal irregularities that can’t be comfortably corrected with traditional soft or GP contacts. Because scleral lenses provide a new smooth refractive surface for your eye, they can correct a wide range of vision problems, including myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Your prescription will be determined during your exam and fitting. Your optometrist can tell you if a scleral lens will help you achieve your vision goals.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid gas permeable (oxygen-breathing) center with a soft lens “skirt” surrounding it. This allows patients to experience the crisp optics of a hard lens with the comfort of a soft lens. This new contact lens technology enables a wider range of people to benefit from this design.

Hybrid contacts are particularly helpful for those with astigmatism and corneal irregularities. Some hybrids, such as the UltraHealth FC by SynergEyes, are specifically designed to be worn by individuals who have flat corneas, which can develop after eye surgery like RK or similar refractive surgery.

These lenses are also a great fit for those who struggle with dry eye or who can’t wear regular soft contact lenses due to lenticular astigmatism. Your eye doctor will recommend the best lens for your needs. It’s important to clean your hybrid contact lenses daily with the recommended solution, which serves as a disinfectant and increases the comfort of the lens while also keeping the surface hydrated.