Contact lenses are not always a uniform material. Many incorporate dyes, UV protection and other compounds that increase the value and usefulness of the lens to the wearer. Simple tinting is an option for those who want to alter their natural eye color. Blue, brown, green and even mirrored lenses (sometimes lenses that have actual [...]

Eyeglasses are great for some people. Laser surgery works for many. But millions now enjoy the comfort, ease of use and sharp optics given by contemporary contact lenses. Because of the way the eye and visual system work, it’s relatively straightforward today to design contact lenses that correct most vision problems. Manufacturing techniques have been [...]

Every choice carries benefits and risks. Weighing them can be tricky. But the pros and cons of buying contact lenses versus having laser surgery can be boiled down to a few simple guidelines. Any decision made between getting contacts or laser surgery on your eyes should be made in consultation with your eye care professional, [...]

What your contact lenses are made of affects how they wear in many senses of the word, including how long they last, your comfort and their health impact. For many years contact lenses were made of glass. Today, fewer than 1% are, with the other 99% made from various types of plastic. The choices are [...]

Contemporary contact lenses are comfortable, long-lasting (unless by design, as in disposables) and very safe. Yet, there are some risks and limitations in wearing them and knowing what those are can help you choose the type that’s best for you. Of course, any such decision should be made in consultation with your eye care professional. [...]

Contact lenses are first and foremost a practical device. But there’s no reason they can’t also be a fashion statement, a way to alter your natural attributes to suit your fancy. The types of contact lenses that make that possible fall into four categories: Visibility tints are typically a light blue or green cast infused [...]

Modern contacts are manufactured to extremely high standards. Millions wear them daily and for years without health problems or even discomfort. Still, about 4% of all contact lens users experience some type of health issue at some point. Risks of wearing contact lenses, while very low, are not zero. Your odds can be improved by [...]

For many years after their introduction contact lenses were able to easily correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, but nothing else. Changing the point at which light rays focus is a fairly straightforward task, though it does require careful crafting of the lens. But correcting some forms of astigmatism still required wearing glasses. Toric contact lenses ultimately [...]

One of the most important factors in eye health is continual exposure to air. Oxygen helps keep all tissues healthy and the eyes are no exception. But all contact lenses reduce the oxygen that contacts the eyes somewhat, some more than others. In the past, that ‘somewhat’ was substantial. That’s why rigid gas permeable (RGP) [...]

Disposable contacts were first introduced in 1987. Since then they have become one of the most popular options for contact lens wearers. They’re comfortable, safe and come in a variety of different types. Disposables are designed to be worn and discarded either daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. But it’s important to keep in mind a [...]