Contact lenses are the safest, most comfortable and accurate method of vision correction. Their key advantage is the ability to use at almost any age. We studied user reviews and are ready to tell you how to choose the right contact lenses for your eyes.
Content:
Selection options
What criteria need to be considered when choosing contact lenses?
If you decide to change glasses to contact lenses, then your first step is to write to an ophthalmologist for a consultation. He with the help of specialized equipment will tell you the basic parameters that you need to focus on when choosing.
The ophthalmologist determines:
- eye diameter
- radius of curvature,
- axis,
- dioptries.
These parameters must inform the consultant in the optical store. Additionally, with an ophthalmologist, you can consult on all issues arising from the use of lenses, care for them, proper storage, mode of wearing, etc.
Types of lenses
Determine the type of contact lensesThe first thing you need to decide when choosing contact lenses is a problem that they have to solve. Depending on this emit:
Classic
The most common group of contact lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists in 65% of cases. They have only one optical zone, selected individually (taking into account the state of your vision). Classic lenses are used only for the correction of refractive abnormalities: myopia or hyperopia, regardless of the patient's age.
Multifocal
They have several zones that differ in optical power. This allows you to see objects located at close, intermediate and far distance. Usually they are appointed when they reach 40-45 years, because it is at this age that a decrease in the elasticity of the lens is observed. The largest number of optical zones is 3. Multifocal lenses are the best choice for age-related visual impairment.
For the correction of astigmatism
The main feature that distinguishes them from classical and multifocal lenses is the spherocylindrical shape. It has various optical powers horizontally and vertically. This allows you to correct astigmatism for the desired meridian and to additionally correct the pathology of refraction (myopia / hyperopia).
Hardness level
Soft or hard lenses?
The next step is to choose the material from which your contact lenses will be made. On this depends on the comfort of their wearing and the need for addiction.
Soft
They are made from hydrogels and silicone gels. Main advantages: much more oxygen is passed to the cornea, comfortable to wear and easy to put on. Usually, soft contact lenses are prescribed for hyperopia, nearsightedness and moderate astigmatism.
Tough
Their basis is dense silicone. Hard lenses are not very convenient, but in some situations they are indispensable (for example, with age-long-sightedness, keratoconus, strong astigmatism). Their advantage is durability. Visual acuity hard lenses increase due to the fact that they always retain their original shape.
Wearing mode
How long can I wear lenses?You choose which contact lenses to buy: one-day or with a planned wearing period, which can range from 14 days to 1 year (depending on the type). Ophthalmologists recommend buying one-day lenses, because they are very thin, imperceptible, and they do not require special care.Their only, but important drawback is the high cost.
If your financial options are limited, stop on the lenses of a scheduled replacement. Keep in mind that they need systematic cleaning and disinfection, otherwise a patina will form on their surface. If you are looking for the best option in terms of price-quality ratio, then we recommend choosing lenses for 1 month.
Another criterion that is important to consider when buying is the mode of use. Some lenses will need to be removed before bedtime, while others can be used at night (continuous wear period is limited to 7 and 30 days).
Color contact lenses
Change eye color in 1 minute
Colored lenses, the dioptries of which are equal to 0, are often called decorative. They are used for cosmetic purposes to change the shade of their eyes. Often used by artists, professional makeup artists and models. Today they are available to everyone who wants to experiment with their appearance and try unusual images.
Types of decorative lenses:
Shading
They are used to enhance the natural color of the eyes. Make it more vivid, visible and attractive. Usually they are chosen by the owners of bright eyes, since the matrix of tinted lenses is only slightly dyed, and through it the natural color of the iris can be seen.
Colored
Eye color changes radically: from black to light blue, from gray to dark brown, etc. Judging by the reviews, the iris does not shine through the matrix of such contact lenses. On the surface of the products there is a pattern that imitates the iris and gives the eyes a natural look.
With pattern
Usually they are chosen for photo shoots or themed parties. The lenses with a pattern imitate cat eyes, and are also used in creating images of vampires, witches, etc. The only drawback is low oxygen permeability, so it is recommended to wear them no more than 5 hours a day.
Humidity
Determine the hydrophilicity index
The comfort of wearing contact lenses depends on the level of humidity (hydrophilicity). The higher this indicator, the better for your eyesight. The level of hydrophilicity is indicated on the package and usually ranges from 38 to 78%.
Well-moistened contact lenses do not cause discomfort, irritation and redness. When choosing products for round-the-clock use, make sure that they have a high hydrophilicity index.
For a child
How to choose contact lenses for a child?
Modern lenses give children complete freedom of action, which is especially important for their full development. They do not narrow the angle of view, and therefore do not affect the clarity and brightness of the image, unlike standard glasses.
Use contact lenses can be 10-12 years. The main thing is to explain to the child how to put them on, take off and store them correctly. The best choice for children will be one-day lenses, characterized by high hygiene and safety.
From 14-15 years old you can switch to products with a prolonged period of validity: for 14 or 30 days. At this age, the child can independently take care of the lenses, so there will be no problems with their use.
Cost of
How much are high quality lenses?The price range for one-day contact lenses varies from 20 to 150 rubles per pack. The cheapest, but at the same time quality products offered by the company Soflens Daily Disposale from Bausch & Lomb. Packed in 30 pcs. from this brand will cost you 600 rubles.
The price of lenses planned socks will be slightly lower. For example, two-week products will cost 75 rubles. for 1 pc. One-month lenses cost from 65 to 600 rubles. for 1 pc.If you decide to stop the choice on semi-annual products, then they will cost you at least 210 rubles. for 1 pc.
Decorative lenses are more expensive. Depending on the brand and intensity of shade, their price will be from 350 to 1,500 rubles. The cost of lenses with a pattern reaches 2,000 rubles. and higher.
Where can one buy
Decide on the optics storeYou can choose and buy contact lenses in the network optics store, specialized vending machine (lens) or online store. It is strongly not recommended to buy them in questionable places, because your state of vision depends on it.
If you take lenses for the first time, it is better to buy them in one of the usual optical stores. Prices are a bit higher, but you can talk with a consultant and get his opinion about a certain company.
Those who take contact lenses is not the first time and knows which products are perfect, we recommend to place an order in the online store or use a vending machine. Unfortunately, the network of lenses is small, so you can only find them in large cities.
The brand
Choose a brandLenses for vision correction are represented by many Russian and foreign companies. Among the most famous brand manufacturers:
Air optix
Excellent lenses, the key advantage of which is high breathability. This means that they do not cause discomfort or the effect of “sand in the eyes”, even with long use.
Acuvue
The most common lenses in Russia produced by the Johnson & Johnson brand. They ensure the maintenance of the required level of moisture, even with prolonged wear. Both colorless and decorative lenses of this brand are on sale.
PureVision
The feature that distinguishes the hydrogel contact lenses of this company is a rich blue tint. It absolutely does not affect the state of your vision, but they look very beautiful and unusual.
Proclear
Contact lenses of this brand are very thin, do not interfere with air circulation and therefore are as comfortable as possible to wear. The best choice for those who began to use them recently. Proclear's unique lens coating keeps them moist for a long time.
Biofinity
Expensive, but high-quality lenses, ideal for people with sensitive eyes. They let in air without creating discomfort when wearing. Judging by the reviews, they are easily put on and removed.
Other brands that offer quality contact lenses are Adria, Maxima, Butterfly, Soflens and Contact Day. Products of these brands you can buy without fear. It provides a more accurate vision correction and is distinguished by increased comfort in use.
