Mission Vision is committed to helping you maintain good eye health through our high-quality vision correction options. Our contact lenses, in particular, are gaining popularity because of the many visual benefits they provide. They also come available in different types, with each one designed to address specific needs. Let your trusted eye care center talk about them in detail for your understanding.
Rigid Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses
The first contact lenses were made of a hard plastic referred to as the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). While they provided sharper vision, their rigidity often caused visual discomfort to contact lens users. They were also incapable of letting oxygen through, potentially compromising eyes’ health.
Fortunately, gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses were developed during the late 1970’s. They are still made of inflexible plastic, ensuring you’ll have crisp eyesight. What makes them different from PMMA lenses is that they contain silicone, which allows oxygen and other gases to enter your eyes. This way, your corneas are kept moisturized and healthy.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Most contact lenses are 14 mm wide. Scleral contact lenses, on the other hand, have diameters ranging from 14.2 to 24 mm. Their large size makes them more stable and secure than the regular ones. This reduces their risk of accidental dislodgement, making you feel more at ease. As they rest steadily on your cornea, they induce less sensation and so maintain your visual comfort.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses are uniquely engineered for those who have “hard-to-fit” eyes, which usually develop when you have astigmatism, dry eyes, and keratoconus. One great example is hybrid lenses. They have a hard center and a soft lens skirt, combining the best features and benefits of rigid and soft GPs.
With Halloween just around the corner, you may be thinking about wearing cosmetic contact lenses. Before buying a pair, visit your optometrist for an eye assessment. We’ll inspect if the cosmetic lenses are safe to use, and provide instructions on their proper usage and care.
Apart from contact lenses, we also offer high-quality eyeglasses and LASIK co-management services. To learn more about our vision correction options, call us at (210) 315-5559 or complete our form to request an appointment. We serve San Antonio and nearby TX areas.