Soft Lenses, Gas Permeable, Daily Disposable, Bifocals.....

Above is just a short list of the types of contact lenses available today. At Oldbury & Cruickshank, we have a special interest in contact lenses, this enables us to select the right sort of lens to suit your eyes and your lifestyle. There are many different types of lenses currently available, each with benefits for particular people. It is important to be aware that contact lenses can also cause eye problems, it is therefore very important that they are fitted properly initially and that they are checked regularly

At Oldbury & Cruickshank, we put particular importance on regular aftercare for all our contact lens wearers. Following is a brief guide to the more common types of Contact lenses.

Soft Lenses

By far the most common type of contact lens currently fitted is the soft lens, and most soft lenses fitted are of the disposable type. Soft lenses are usualy comfortable straight away, which makes them particularly useful for occasional wear e.g. for sports and social wear as well as regular all day wear. Most lenses are replaced either 2 weekly or daily, although some are replaced every month. More frequent replacement can help in maintaining comfort and the health of your eyes.

Silicone hydrogel is the latest "buzz" word in contact lenses. The are the most healthy material available today. As our optometrists to tell you more.

Gas Permeable Lenses

Gas permeable lenses are developed from what used to be called hard lenses. These were made of perspex, were good optically and were fairly resistant to deposits and poor handling. However they allowed minimal oxygen through to the front of the eye, resulting in poor comfort and blurred vision when the lenses were removed. Gas permeable materials allow oxygen through to the eye, giving better comfort and less eye problems. They still require an adaption time during which they may be a little uncomfortable, however once the adaption is achieved, these lenses can be very comfortable to use.

Bifocals

Around the age of 45 your eyes lose their ability to focus on close up objects. So if you already need eyewear for distance vision, you`re faced with the choice of either separate glasses for reading or spectacles that combine both near and distance lenses (eg. bifocals).

But the idea of bifocal glasses probably wont hold much appeal to someone who is used to contact lenses. Fortunately theres now a viable alternative - multifocal contact lenses. Available in Gas Permeables and soft disposable forms, multifocal contact lenses are very different from their spectacle counterpart.  They rely on the central part of the lens giving a focus for both near and far vision. This allowing for simutaneous close and distance vision in all directions of gaze.

Although not everyone is suitable for contact lenses, why not call us for further information. We can arrange a contact lens trial, subject to clinical suitability.

Progressive Dailies

There is now available a daily disposable version of the successful Monthly Progressive Contact lens from CIBA. Designed for the occassional user wanting to do without glasses for reading and distance for those special occasions.

Importance of Aftercare

As a final comment, wearing of contact lenses is not without possible problems. Luckily these are rare, but ulcers such as this do happen. This is mostly due to poor patient compliance with the solutions (where needed) and patients avoiding returning for regular aftercare.

Please do handle and care for your contact lenses as you have been advised, and dont skimp on using the care products properely. IT REALLY IS WORTH IT.

Sports wear for eyes

Glasses are great at home and in the office, but when it comes to sports do you suffer from them steaming up and slipping down your nose at a vital moment? Why restrict your performance and miss out on all the fun? You would not play tennis with a badminton racket or wear golfing clothes to the gym so why should eyewear be different. Cycling is one activity where glasses can be the practical option. A fly in the eye on a cycle ride isn't terribly pleasant so glasses can be ideal. But what if its sunny? Don't fancy a pair of flip up shades over your glasses or re-active lenses can leave you in the dark? Why compromise? Pop in some daily disposables contact lenses and wear your favourite shades over the top.

The problem is we either perceive ourselves as a glasses wearer or a contact lens wearer. Why restrict yourself when glasses and contact lenses make a great team! Choose the type of eyewear most suitable for the occasion. Choosing contact lenses for sport isn't just more convenient, its safer and can improve your peripheral awareness and thus your performance. Look good, have fun and win  the ultimate high!!

Fear of the unknown

If you have considered wearing contact lenses for sport, what has put you off? Like many people you probably don't fancy putting something in your eye or cleaning and storing the lenses. But things have changed! Just like cumbersome wooden tennis rackets have been replaced by lightweight graphites, hard uncomfortable contact lenses have been replaced by ultra thin soft lenses. There is also a great range of disposables on the market so you wont need any bulky extras. Whats more when you visit Oldbury and Cruickshank to get a prescription for contacts you`ll be shown how to insert and remove the lenses and given ample opportunity to try them out until you feel completely confident. If you are over 45 and wear bifocals, progressive contact lenses contain no lines and segmented vision zones. Instead they provide seamless vision at all distances and allow your eyes to focus naturally. You wont suffer from vision jumps and they will improve your peripheral vision.

Choosing the right lenses

Contact lenses are ideal for both long and shortsighted vision correction. They are instantly comfortable. If it weren't for the fact that they improve your vision, you wouldn't know you were wearing them. There are even contact lenses for astigmatism. If you have been told you can`t have contact lenses because you have astigmatism, now is the time to ask again.  

These days most contact lenses are disposable so when you have finished exercising you can put them away and reach for your glasses.