Contact lenses are small pieces of complex plastic that are placed directly over the cornea and can correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Also can be used for cosmetic purpose
Please remember that professional advice is required to determine the contact lenses prescription. This includes the lens type, material, size, curvature and power. We will also give you professional advice on contact lens care and maintenance to ensure your eyes stay healthy and seeing well.
The main types of contact lenses available today are:
- Soft lenses
- Rigid gas permeable lenses
- Ortho-k lenses
- Scleral or mini-scleral lenses
- Hybrid lenses
- Cosmetic or coloured lenses
- Bandage contact lenses
Different types of prosthesis are available to treat different problems
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses
Rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP lenses) are made from hard, durable plastics that transmit oxygen.
RGP lenses take a little longer to adapt to compared to soft lenses. They offer excellent optics, particularly for astigmatic (oval-shaped) or irregular corneas. They are particularly good lenses for conditions such as keratoconus and for post-corneal graft lens fitting.
Ortho-k contact lenses
Ortho-k or orthokeratology lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses that are worn overnight to correct mild to moderate short-sightedness and mild astigmatism. These lenses reshape the cornea or front surface of the eye and are taken out on waking, allowing people to be free of optical correction during the day.
There is some evidence that ortho-k can reduce the progression of short-sightedness. For this reason, ortho-k is gaining some popularity in use with children who are shortsighted. There is a great deal of current research in this developing area.
Scleral or mini-scleral lenses
Scleral or mini-scleral lenses are special purpose rigid gas permeable lenses. These lenses are larger than standard RGP lenses with the edge of the lens resting on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Scleral or mini-scleral lenses have had somewhat of a revival of late. They are used primarily for eyes with irregular corneas such as in keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration. Their larger diameter can result in better comfort than small diameter RGP lenses. As they hold a reservoir of fluid behind the lens, they can also be used to help people with severe dry eye disease, such as in Sjogren’s syndrome, Steven’s Johnson syndrome or neurotrophic corneal disease
Hybrid contact lenses
Hybrid lenses consist of a rigid gas permeable lens in the centre with a soft lens skirt surrounding the central zone. They aim to provide the excellent optics of RGP lenses with the improved comfort or easier adaptation of a soft lens. They are used primarily for conditions such as keratoconus where the corneal shape is irregular.
Cosmetic or coloured lenses
Coloured contact lenses are available to change or enhance the colour of your eyes. These are available for dark and light coloured eyes in a range of colours. They are available with or without optical correction. Coloured contact lenses are available in daily, monthly disposable and soft conventional designs.
Bandage contact lenses
Contact lenses can also be used in certain cases where damage to the cornea or front surface of the eye causes pain. High oxygen silicon hydrogel disposable contact lenses are generally used here and can help the cornea to heal as well as significantly reducing eye pain. Bandage contact lenses may be used in conditions such as recurrent corneal erosion, corneal abrasion or bullous keratopathy.