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Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A.
1207 North Scott St.
Wilmington, DE 19806
Ph / (302) 652-3353
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Contact Lenses – Optometrist Serving Wilmington, Delaware: Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A.
For more than thirty years, contact lenses have been an option for those who want the versatility, depth perception, and peripheral vision lacking in traditional eyeglasses. Available in hard and soft varieties, contact lenses are thin prescription-grade discs that fit over the cornea to dramatically improve vision. If you are sick of your glasses and want to try contact lenses to improve your vision, contact our experienced optometrist, Dr. Dennis Mirra at our office in Wilmington, Delaware.
Contact lenses not only improve the vision of healthy eyes, they are also used to help correct the vision of those with keratoconus—a degenerative corneal disorder. Less invasive than refractive surgeries and more convenient than glasses, contact lenses offer a practical, comfortable, and easy way to correct vision.
Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are available in two types. Each has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage that soft contact lenses have over hard lenses is the ease at which you can switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses. With soft lenses, you can wear eye glasses for a few days, then return to contact lenses and feel no loss in comfort. Conversely, switching from inflexible hard contact lenses to eyeglasses and back can be an uncomfortable experience for most. The optometrist at Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware will discuss your options and help you choose an option that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are thin, flexible discs that absorb water, which allows them to sit comfortably in the eye for extended periods of time. Advancements in technology allow new generations of soft contacts to be infused with more moisture, ensuring a more comfortable fit when worn for extended periods of time. The thin structure is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The thinness allows a more comfortable fit; however, it also increases the likelihood that the lens will tear during handling.
Most brands of soft contact lenses are disposable, meaning that you wear them for as long as the box advises—1 day to 2 weeks—and toss them away, replacing them with a new pair. Some brands even allow you to wear the contacts overnight while you sleep, though you should not do this unless directed due to an increased risk of damage to your corneas that may hinder your vision. Though not a replacement for sunglasses, many brands of soft contact lenses have a UV blocker built in to the lens to help prevent UV rays from damaging your eyes.
Hard Contact Lenses
Hard contact lenses are made of rigid, gas permeable plastic, which allows air to flow freely into and out of the eye, a huge improvement from previous generations of hard contact lenses. These contact lenses are also called RGP lenses, or Rigid Gas Permeable lenses. RGP lenses hold on to their shape and hug the cornea. Since RGP lenses do not contain water, they do not absorb possible irritants from the hands or proteins that naturally occur in the eye. For this reason, a single pair of hard contact lenses can last several years. Hard contacts can also be custom made to correct a variety of eye and vision problems.
Contact Lens-related Infections
Infections can occur with improper handing of the contact lenses. It is important the lenses do not come into contact with cosmetic-type chemicals including make up, hairspray, etc. Always use the appropriate cleaning solutions and lens rewetting drops. Contact with water—whether from swimming in the ocean or from tap water in the shower—can limit the life of the lens and introduce new bacteria to the eye. Smoking not only hurts your lungs, it also dries out your eyes, which can make wearing contact lenses an uncomfortable experience. Always practice good hygiene and storage to keep your contact lenses—and eyes—infection-free.
Keratitis is a common infection related to wearing contact lenses. Though rare, there have been cases of the fungal form of keratitis—fusarium keratitis—report in contact lens wearers. Symptoms include blurry vision, tearing, light sensitivity, and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Always practice good hygiene and storage to keep your contact lenses—and eyes—infection-free.
Contact the Optometrists at Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware
For more information about contact lenses contact the optometrists at Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware. Our knowledgeable optometrist, Dr. Mirra will help you find the best type and brand of contact lens that fits your lifestyle.