New technology makes contact lens more comfortable to wear

Contact lenses have come a long way since their early 18th century origins as glass tubes filled with water, capped by a microscopic lens. Today, millions of people across the UK use a diverse assortment of contact lens varieties, incorporating remarkably sophisticated features and suitable for almost all prescription strengths.

Thanks to advances in manufacturing techniques, modern soft lenses  allow plenty of oxygen to reach the eye’s surface. Impressive comfort levels mean they can typically be forgotten about after insertion, although their softer composition does result in shorter lifespans than traditional “harder” lenses.

Many people favour daily disposable lenses, which are worn once and then binned without requiring any ongoing maintenance. In tandem with a well-chosen pair of spectacles, these can be an ideal choice for people who prefer not to wear glasses in public but don’t need lenses all the time.

Monthly contact lenses provide a more affordable alternative to daily disposables, although they do entail a degree of regular cleaning. Lesley Cree Opticians can recommend the best option based on your lifestyle  and preferences.

Technological advances have allowed lens manufacturers to develop contact lenses suitable for almost every spectacle prescription, from toric lenses that fit astigmatic eyes through to multifocals capable of providing crystal-clear vision at varying distances.

Patients can obtain different prescription strengths for each eye, and some modern contacts even incorporate UV protection. Following the introduction of features previously found only in spectacle lenses, contacts now represent a genuine alternative to glasses.

Children can be fitted with contact lenses from the age of 10. That’s great for physically active youngsters, where tough spectacle frames with shatterproof lenses were previously the best option.

Indeed, contact lenses have now become an effective rival to sports eyewear for anyone regularly participating in physical exercise.

Lenses can also be advantageous in certain professions where spectacle wearing isn’t ideal, such as outdoor jobs or working in manufacturing facilities that require safety goggles to be worn.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of contact lens wear then please call in to the practice for a chat or to make an appointment.