Contact lenses

• Soft lenses are the most common. Most people find them comfortable from the start.
• Daily disposable lenses are worn once and thrown away, so there is no cleaning and less risk of infection.
• Rigid gas permeable lenses are firmer. They can give very sharp vision and are often used for irregular corneas.
• Toric lenses correct astigmatism.
• Multifocal lenses help you see both near and far.
• Overnight reshaping lenses are worn while you sleep to gently reshape the cornea, so you can see during the day without lenses.
• Specialty lenses, such as larger scleral lenses, help people with certain eye conditions.

Your eye doctor will recommend lenses based on your eyes, your prescription and the way you live.

A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam plus some extra steps. Your eye doctor will measure the surface of your eye, check your tears, and try lenses on your eyes to check the fit. You will learn how to put lenses in, take them out and keep them clean. You will usually have a follow-up visit to make sure the lenses fit well and your eyes stay healthy.

A contact lens prescription is different from a glasses prescription. It includes the lens type and size, and it expires, so you will need regular checkups to renew it. These checkups also look for early signs of problems before you feel them.

Good habits help prevent most contact lens problems:

• Wash and dry your hands before you touch your lenses.
• Don’t sleep or nap in your lenses unless your eye doctor says it is safe for your type.
• Keep all water away from your lenses and case. Never rinse or store them in tap water, and never use saliva.
• Take your lenses out before swimming, showering or using a hot tub.
• Use fresh solution every time. Don’t top off old solution, and use only the solution your eye doctor recommends.
• Rub and rinse your lenses as your eye doctor shows you, even if the solution says “no rub.”
• Rinse your case with solution, let it air-dry upside down, and replace it at least every three months.
• Replace your lenses on schedule. Never wear them longer than they are meant to be worn.
• Keep a pair of up-to-date glasses as a backup.

If your eyes feel uncomfortable, take your lenses out. Don’t wear them again until your eyes feel normal, and call your eye doctor if they don’t get better. A red, painful eye while wearing lenses can be a sign of a serious infection that needs care the same day.