Many types of contact lenses are available. The type of contacts you use depends on your particular situation. Your eye doctor will be able to help choose from the following types of lenses.
Contact Lens Materials
Gas-permeable lenses: These lenses are also known as "RGPs." There are newer rigid or "hard" lenses made of plastics combined with other materials, such as silicone and fluoropolymers, which allow oxygen in the air to pass directly through the lens. For this reason, they are called "gas permeable."
Soft contact lenses: These lenses are made of plastic materials that incorporate water. The water makes them soft and flexible, as well as allowing oxygen to reach the cornea. More than 75% of contact lens wearers in the United States use soft lenses.
Hybrid contact lenses: Get the best of both worlds– the crisp, clear vision of a rigid lens with the all-day comfort of a soft lens. Hybrid lenses (SynergEyes®) provide you with the superior optics of a gas permeable lens combined with the comfort of a soft lens.
Contact Lens Wearing Schedule Modality
Extended Wear: made of material designed to last 2 – 4 weeks.
Daily Disposable: removed daily and discarded. Although generally more expensive, this type carry a minimal infection risk and provide you with fresh lenses every day.
Planned Replacement: need to be removed every night before bedtime and disinfected with a special contact lens solution overnight. They may either last from several weeks 6 months.
Contact Lens Correction Types
Spherical: correct nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) . They are available in rigid, soft and hybrid materials.
Toric: correct astigmatism. They are available in rigid, soft and hybrid materials.
Multifocal: correct presbyopia. They are available in rigid, soft and hybrid materials.
Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Opaque or Enhancing: either change or enhance the natural color or appearance of your eyes. They are available in soft material, as non-prescription, spherical or toric.