About Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses are available to correct almost every vision problem for patients of all ages.  Contact lenses are becoming an increasingly safe method of treating vision.  We fit a wide variety of lens types including toric contact lenses to correct for astigmatism, bifocal and progressive contact lenses for patients who need reading glasses, contacts for corneal conditions such as keratoconus, and the newest generation silicone hydrogel contact lenses which allow healthier levels of oxygen to the eye.

Gas Permeable contact lenses are made of a rigid plastic material.  They provide clear vision and are more durable than soft contact lenses but have a longer initial adjustment period.  They can correct for large amounts of astigmatism and can be used to treat corneal irregularities in conditions such as keratoconus. 

Soft contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular.  There are many brands of soft contact lenses, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  The newest soft contact lenses are made of a material called silicone hydrogel.  These contact lenses allow much more oxygen to the cornea than previous generation lenses and provide the healthiest option for contact lens wearers.  Examples of these lenses are the Bausch & Lomb Purevision, the Ciba Vision O2 Optix, and the Focus Night & Day.  The Acuvue Oasys is a silicone hydrogel lens that even offers protection from ultraviolet radiation. 

Wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time may lead to potential problems.  Even though the newer generation contact lenses allow more healthy levels of oxygen to the eye, the occurrence of infections is higher with overnight wear in any type of lens.  The eye doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care therefore recommend that patients avoid overnight wear of their contact lenses.  Improper cleaning and disinfecting of contact lenses can also result in bacterial or fungal infections.  It is always a good idea to wear contact lenses only for the recommended amount of time, clean and disinfect lenses daily with the cleaning solutions recommended by your doctor, and replace contact lens cases every few months.  

Dry eye syndrome is among the most common reasons why patients discontinue contact lens wear.  Dry eyes can become worse with seasonal allergies, increasing age, computer use, and other environmental factors.  There are a number of treatments for patients with dry eyes who want to get back into contact lens wear.  These options include new contact lens materials, medicated eye drops, oral supplements, and tear duct occlusion.