Contact lenses have come a long way from the first glass contact invented in the late 1800s. Back then, they were barely an idea circulating around. Today, they are one of the most advantageous vision correction options available. The technology to develop them has grown and evolved to provide several exceptional varieties. They have also become more specialized, especially for some specific eye conditions. 

When you are switching to contacts for the first time, it can seem quite daunting—but what new experience is not, right? However, you will usually receive guidance from your eye doctor on which ones are best for you. You could also choose one that will fit your lifestyle or fashion desires. 

So, how do you choose the right one for your eyes?

Types of Contacts

You first need to know the types of contact lenses available to choose from. Contact lenses come in three main categories, and the third is often a mixture of the first two. They are:

Soft Contact Lenses

These are the most common and most popular types of contact lenses. They are made from soft plastic mixed with water to make them more comfortable. The water in their composition allows more oxygen flow to the cornea. Oxygen is crucial for maintaining the health of your eyes. 

Soft contact lenses come in various forms. You can have the following:

• Daily or single-use contacts
• Several-day contacts
• Monthly contacts

Soft contact lenses can also come in different colors and designs. The color can help in three main ways: to help you spot the lens if it falls, improve your aesthetics, and change the color of your eyes.

Rigid Gas-permeable Lenses

These contact lenses are direct cousins of the first glass lenses from the 1800s. They are, however, not made from glass but from a special hard plastic or silicone. They usually take longer to adjust, but they offer crisper vision. 

Specialized Lenses

These groups of contact lenses may be a hybrid of the two main categories or have a different design from the standard soft or rigid lenses. Eye doctors use them to fix specific conditions like astigmatism or dry eyes. 

How Do You Choose?

Here are some ideas to help you decide which one to choose.

• How Long Will You Wear Them?

As mentioned earlier, some contacts are daily or single-use lenses, and you dispose of them at the end of the day. Due to the nature of your eye condition, others require overnight wear, like ortho-k lenses. Others, like some rigid lenses, may be worn continuously for several days. You can choose based on how often and long you need to wear them.

• How Sharp Do You Want Your Vision?

Some contact lenses offer sharper vision than others. Depending on your lifestyle or job, you may benefit more from sharp, crisp vision. Hybrid lenses combine the comfort of soft lenses with the vision of rigid lenses.

• How Much Are You Willing to Spend?

Some contacts tend to be more expensive than others. The hybrid lenses mentioned above tend to be more expensive than regular lenses. Other specialized lenses, like scleral lenses, are also more costly.

• What Is Your Eye Condition?

The eye condition you need to fix also dictates the types of lenses available to you. For instance, if you have astigmatism, you may only use rigid lenses. If you have myopia, your choices will be of a much wider range.

For more about the right contact lenses for your eyes