Types of Contact Lenses

The terminology used for contact lenses can be a bit confusing. Below are explanations of some frequently used terms.

Daily Disposable

With daily disposable contact lenses, you can get the health and convenience benefits of lenses without the hassle of taking them out and cleaning them. These lenses are single-use, so you will always have a fresh pair to wear every day and are made out of soft materials.

Monthly or Two-Weekly Disposable

Like the name indicates, these lenses last for either a month or two weeks, which means after wearing them, you have to clean them, store them in a contact lens case ready to be worn again the next day. They are also made from soft materials.

Three-Monthly Disposable

Like monthly and two-weekly in many ways apart from the fact that they last for three months before you dispose of them. Often, more specialist prescriptions are available in this type.

Annual Replacement

Like the name suggests, these lenses are replaced yearly and are available in both soft and rigid lens materials. These have become much less popular since the launch of frequent replacement contact lenses during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Most optometrists and patients prefer frequent replacement contact lenses due to health and convenience benefits.

Extended Wear

These lenses can be worn day and night continuously for up to 30 days before you have to replace them. They are available in soft materials.

Spherical Contact Lenses

Spherical contact lenses have the same power throughout the lens and are used to correct long-sightedness (hyperopia) and short-sightedness (myopia).

Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses are for correcting astigmatism. Astigmatism is where the cornea, the front part of the eye, is not spherical (like a football) but is elliptical (like a rugby ball). The contact lens therefore has a different power in different directions of the lens. Toric lenses are available for long and short-sightedness and are available as multifocal too.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia and contain different power zones for near and far vision. Presbyopia is when the eye naturally loses the ability to focus at near objects and usually occurs in most people around their mid 40’s. Multifocal contact lenses are suitable for people who wear reading glasses, varifocals and bifocals, and are available in toric powers.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft Contact Lenses are made from water containing plastics called hydrogels and are also available in a much more advanced silicone hydrogel material, which allows a higher level of oxygen to get through to the cornea. This means they can be worn for longer periods of time without compromising the health of the cornea. Soft lenses are very popular as they are extremely comfortable, thin and pliable so they conform to the front surface of the eye. Soft contact lenses are available in daily, two-weekly, monthly, annual replacement as well as spherical, toric and multifocal powers.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses

RGP contact lenses are made from a rigid material and are therefore not as comfortable at first compared to soft contact lenses. They do however allow a high level of oxygen to get through the cornea, give extremely sharp vision and after you have adapted to them, are very comfortable to wear. They are available in spherical, toric and multifocal powers and are usually replaced annually.

Contact Lens Brands

As a truly independent group, we are able to supply you with contact lenses from just about any supplier in the world. Below are some of our most popular brands.