What to consider when buying your next Contact Lens
Want to have an alternative to your eyeglasses? Or are you thinking of buying your new pair of contact lenses? There are currently a lot of contact lens options to choose from in the market today. But the question is, are you buying good quality contact lenses? or are you just buying those brands because they’re priced cheaply?
Just remember that your eyes are very important!
Choose a good quality contact lens, and you’ll most likely enjoy a healthy contact lens experience and healthy eyes. However, choose a low-quality contact lens, and you might experience contact lens-related problems such as Corneal Hypoxia and Severe Dry Eye Syndrome.
Here are some things to consider in buying your contact lens:
1. Are they known worldwide?
Check if the contact lens given to you are internationally known.
This is because may world-renowned Contact Lens companies have dedicated themselves to research and development in creating the clearest, healthiest, and comfortable contact lenses possible.
Here are some world-renowned Contact Lens brands, and their website, that we have here in the Philippines and in our clinic:
Alcon - https://airoptix.myalcon.com/
Cooper Vision - https://coopervision.com.ph/
2. Check the Oxygen Transmissibility
How breathable do you think is the Contact Lens you're buying?
The Cornea is the transparent front most part of your eye. It needs oxygen and wearing poor quality contact lenses may lead to Corneal Hypoxia
The Cornea of your eyes is avascular, meaning it doesn't rely on your blood for its necessary nutrients, but through the aqueous humor behind it, and Oxygen from the front of it.
This is why it's essential to choose a contact lens with high oxygen transmissibility for a healthier Cornea. You can check Oxygen transmissibility by looking for the symbol "DK/t" on the box or on the contact lens's website.
A good example is Air Optix Night and Day with a Dk/t of 175, one of the highest oxygen transmissibility in the market.
Air Optix Night & Day has a Dk/t or Oxygen Transmissibility of 175
3. What is the distinctive feature of your current and future Contact Lenses?
When choosing your next contact lens, it good to know the unique features of the contact lenses you are using or about to use.
For example, Air Optix Aqua is proud of its Smartshiled technology, which helps protect the contact lens from irritants all month long. Another is the Hydraglyde moisture matrix technology, which attracts and maintains moisture on the contact lens's surface until the end of the day.
While Acuvue Vita has a key feature HYDRAMAX Technology, which is their own tech of maximizing and maintaining hydration throughout the lens, for lasting comfort.
While the Avaira Vitality by Cooper Vision, aside from its long-lasting comfort features, also has a Class 1 UV blocking capability. This feature helps block more than 90% UVA and 99% of UVB, offering greater protection for your eyes.
4. Do you need a Single Vision design or a Multifocal Design
Contact Lenses nowadays are designed to be used by people with Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Presbyopia. Aside from making your vision clear at far, there are contact lenses specially designed for Presbyopia people. These are people who are in their late 30's and above and are having difficulty both far and near. This can be an excellent alternative for reading glasses, bifocals, or Progressive Lenses.
An excellent example for Multifocal Lenses are Air Optix Aqua Multifocal and Proclear Multifocal. Both contact lenses have focus both at far and at near.
Do you have any other questions on buying your next contact lenses? leave them down on the comment section below!
About the author:
Dr Mark Paroli is a board certified Optometrist in the Philippines with special interest in Orthokeratology, Keratoconus lenses, and Ocular Prosthesis. He is an advocate of Myopia Control and Low Vision on children.