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Contact Lens

What are Contact Lenses?

If you have refractive errors and want clear vision without needing glasses, you may want to consider wearing contact lenses. Contact lenses are thin, clear discs that you place on the surface of your eye to correct refractive errors.

Refractive errors are caused by the shape of your eye affecting its ability to refract light. Contact lenses correct refractive errors by adjusting how light enters your eye. 

However, they also move with your eye to provide a more natural field of vision. Contact lenses require a prescription and personal fitting to ensure they are safe and most effective for your vision.

What Types of Contact Lenses are Available?

Several kinds of contact lenses are available. The most common type is soft contact lenses, which many patients find comfortable and easy to wear.

What kind of contact lenses you’ll wear will depend on your lifestyle, activities, and visual needs. Daily disposable contact lenses are often best if you want to wear contact lenses that do not require much maintenance or upkeep. 

These contact lenses are worn once before being disposed of daily. They do not require a case to carry them around in, as you take them out and throw them away each time. They are also an excellent choice if you have allergies or sensitive eyes.

Bi-weekly contact lenses are contacts you can wear for up to two weeks before you have to replace them. These contact lenses require more maintenance, as you must remove them and store them in a contact case with solution daily.

Monthly contact lenses are another popular option for contact lens wearers. These contact lenses are worn for a month before you dispose of them.

They also require maintenance, as you must take them out and keep them in a contact lens case daily when you’re not wearing them.

Extended wear contact lenses are contacts that you can wear for an extended time. These contacts can be worn continuously, including while asleep, for up to 7 days. 

However, these contact lenses have a higher risk of eye infection, meaning they require close monitoring by your eye doctor at Wooster Eye Center.

If you have astigmatism, your ophthalmologist may recommend toric contact lenses. These contacts are designed for patients with astigmatism.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is irregular in shape, leading to distorted vision. Toric contact lenses ensure patients with astigmatism can see clearly.

As many kinds of contact lenses are available, talk to your eye doctor to determine which type may be best for your visual needs and lifestyle.