keeping your child seeing clearly

The Differences Between Soft And RGP Contacts

If you have been thinking about switching to contact lenses, at least some of the time, then you want to become educated on the different types of contacts you will have to choose from. Choosing the best contacts for your individual needs will ensure you get the most out of them and are completely satisfied with the experience. This article will provide you with knowledge on some of the types of contacts so you can determine the right ones for your needs.

Soft contacts

Soft contacts are the most common type. They are used to help correct vision caused by a wide array of conditions. These lenses are made with a special type of plastic mixed with water. The water in the contacts allows oxygen to make its way through the contacts and to the cornea of your eye.

The oxygen getting to this part of your eye is important for your comfort, as well as to avoid problems such as swelling, blurry vision, cloudy vision or other problems and discomfort.

Soft lenses are very flexible and this helps to make them quite easy to tolerate. They are also easy to care for. You will clean them by putting the solution on them and rubbing them with your clean fingers.

Rigid gas-permeable contacts

Rigid gas-permeable contacts are also commonly referred to as RGP contacts and they are not as flexible as the soft lenses are. They are made from a silicone material that also allows your eyes to get the necessary oxygen they need. Since they are a bit thicker than soft contacts, they can offer you sharper vision due to the way they stay right in place.

This type of contact is generally a good option for you if you happen to have astigmatism because they can actually help to reshape the eye. They are also a good choice for a person who is seriously nearsighted.

When you first start wearing these contacts, you will feel them in your eyes more than the soft lenses and they can be a bit irritating. The trick to getting used to wearing RGP contacts is to wear them every day. This will help your eyes and the insides of your eye lids to get comfortable with them in, even to the point where you can barely tell you have them in.

Now that you understand the differences between soft and RGP contacts, you can have an easier time coming to a decision on which ones are going to be the better choice for your needs. For more information contact an eye care professional like Whiteville Eye Associates.