Contact Lenses
Alaska Vision Center offers many options for contact lenses
There are a number of reasons why you might prefer contact lenses over standard eye wear: a glasses-free look, hassle-free vision correction, wearing non-prescription sunglasses or goggles, or the convenience of not having to worry about misplacing your glasses. If you have a high prescription or astigmatism, contact lenses may provide better vision correction than glasses. Today, you can even replace your multi-focal glasses with multi-focal contact lenses.
Your eye care provider can recommend the best contact lenses for you based on a complete eye examination and a review of your visual needs both at work and play. Since most people can wear more than one type of contact lens, it’s important to know what your choices are and the advantages and disadvantages to each choice.
Soft Lenses
These lenses are comfortable to wear and must be replaced monthly, weekly or daily depending on the type recommended by your doctor. Soft lenses are often recommended for sports because they fit closer to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge. They can provide exceptional correction for most prescriptions including astigmatism. Today, with the introduction of newer materials like silicone hydrogels, which allow more oxygen to reach the eye, patients find it easier than ever to wear soft lenses comfortably.
Gas-Permeable (GP) Lenses
Made of moderately flexible plastics, GP lenses offer sharp vision and correct most vision problems. They are more durable than soft contact lenses and can be easier to handle and care for but require a longer adaptation period and consistent wear to maintain adaptation.
Multifocal Lenses
In both soft and GP designs, multi-focal lenses offer patients both distance and near vision correction just like a pair of bifocal glasses.
Color Contact Lenses
Enhance your eye color or even change it completely. Colored contact lenses are fun and come in a variety of colors for both light and dark eyes.
Silicone Hydrogels
Silicone hydrogels are soft contact lenses that have high oxygen permeability and are comparable to GP lenses.
Regardless of the type of contact lenses you wear, an annual eye exam is recommended to ensure the continued good health of your eyes. Schedule an appointment for an evaluation!