10 tips for choosing eye lenses

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Air Optix

Acuvue

Pure Vision

Proclear

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Adria

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Butterfly

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If you decide to change your glasses to contact lenses, then your first step is to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. With the help of specialized equipment, he will tell you the main parameters that you need to focus on when choosing.

The ophthalmologist determines:

• eye diameter,
• radius of curvature,
• axis,
• diopters.

These parameters must be reported to the consultant in the optical store. Additionally, you can consult with an ophthalmologist on all emerging issues related to the use of lenses, their care, proper storage, wearing mode, etc.

Why is it so important to choose contact lenses that are best suited for specific eye parameters? It's all about comfort while wearing. Too small a radius of curvature complicates the access of oxygen and compresses the cornea, resulting in hypoxia. If it turned out to be more than necessary, the product will not fit snugly, as if “dangling”, causing discomfort.

The first thing you need to decide when choosing contact lenses is the problem that they must solve. Depending on this, there are:

Classic. The most common group of contact lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists in 65% of cases. They have only one optical zone, selected individually (taking into account the state of your vision). Classic lenses are used only to correct refractive pathologies: myopia or hyperopia, regardless of the patient's age.

Multifocal. They have several zones that differ in optical power. This allows you to see objects located at close, intermediate and far distances. Usually they are prescribed when reaching 40-45 years, since it is at this age that a decrease in the elasticity of the lens is observed. The largest number of optical zones is 3. Multifocal lenses are the best choice for age-related visual impairments.

To correct astigmatism. The main feature that distinguishes them from classic and multifocal lenses is their spherical shape. It has different optical powers horizontally and vertically. This allows you to correct astigmatism along the desired meridian and additionally correct refractive pathologies (nearsightedness / farsightedness). To decide which toric lenses to choose, you need to take into account additional criteria: the middle axis for clarity of vision and the cylinder that compensates for distortion.

The next step is to choose the material from which your contact lenses will be made. The comfort of wearing them and the need for addiction depend on this.

Soft. They are made from hydrogels and silicone gels. Main advantages: they allow much more oxygen to pass to the cornea of ​​the eye, they are comfortable to wear and easy to put on. Typically, soft contact lenses are prescribed for farsightedness, nearsightedness and moderate astigmatism.

Rigid. Their basis is dense silicone. Rigid lenses are not very convenient, but in a number of situations they are indispensable (for example, with age-related farsightedness, keratoconus, severe astigmatism). Their advantage is durability. Rigid lenses increase visual acuity due to the fact that they always retain their original shape.

Another advantage of rigid lenses is the extended range of diopters: from -25 to +25. Among the minuses, it is worth mentioning the long adaptation (it can take up to a week) and the complexity of the choice. Due to the need to fully conform to the shape of the cornea, such products are often made individually according to the personal parameters of the client.

You choose which contact lenses to buy: one-day or with a planned wearing period, which can range from 14 days to 1 year (depending on the type). Ophthalmologists recommend buying products with daily replacement, because they are very thin, imperceptible, and they do not require special care.

It is one-day lenses that should be chosen for a child, a person with a tendency to allergies, sensitive corneas or dry keratitis. Such products are indispensable for holidays and business trips. Their only but important drawback is their high cost.

If your financial resources are limited, opt for scheduled replacement lenses. Keep in mind that they need systematic cleaning and disinfection, otherwise plaque will form on their surface. If you are looking for the best option in terms of price-quality ratio, then we recommend choosing lenses for 1 month.

Another criterion that is important to consider when buying is the mode of use. Some lenses will need to be removed at bedtime, while others can be used at night (continuous wear is limited to 7 and 30 days).

Colored lenses whose diopters are 0 are often called decorative. They are used for cosmetic purposes to change the color of your eyes. Often used by artists, professional makeup artists and models. Today they are available to anyone who wants to experiment with their appearance and try unusual looks.

How to change eye color for people with poor eyesight? Very easy, because many companies offer tinted contact lenses with diopters. For example, optics from Korean brands are able to completely block the natural brown color. To decide which products are better to choose, you should study the reviews with photos. As a rule, the website of the company or supplier has pictures on models from Korea with dark eyes. Types of decorative lenses:

Tinted. They are used to enhance the natural color of the eyes. Make it brighter, more visible and attractive. Usually they are chosen by owners of light eyes, since the matrix of tinted lenses is only slightly tinted, and the natural color of the iris can be seen through it.

colored. They radically change the color of the eyes: from black to light blue, from gray to dark brown, etc. Judging by the reviews, the iris does not shine through the matrix of such contact lenses. On the surface of the products there is a pattern that imitates the iris and gives the eyes a natural look.

With pattern. Usually they are chosen for photo shoots or themed parties. Lenses with a pattern imitate cat eyes, and are also used to create images of vampires, witches, etc. The only drawback is low oxygen permeability, so it is recommended to wear them no more than 5 hours a day.

The level of humidity (hydrophilicity) determines the comfort of wearing contact lenses. The higher this figure, the better for your vision. The level of hydrophilicity is indicated on the packaging and usually ranges from 38 to 78%. Well-moistened contact lenses do not cause discomfort, irritation or redness. When choosing products for 24/7 use, make sure they are highly hydrophilic.

The second figure that you should pay attention to before buying is breathability. The higher this indicator, the lower the risk of hypoxia. The access of oxygen to the cornea is reflected in Dk/t and depends on the thickness of the material. It is desirable that this parameter be at least 80 units, but in reality there are lenses with 40 Dk / t. For eye comfort, it is recommended to choose a model with at least 24 Dk/t for occasional use and 87 Dk/t for extended wear.

Silicone hydrogel products work best. But due to the high oxygen permeability, deposits of proteins and fats accumulate on them faster. It is necessary to regularly rinse the material and fill it with a fresh solution so that the contact lenses serve the entire prescribed period.

Modern lenses give children complete freedom of action, which is especially important for their full development.They do not narrow the angle of view, and therefore do not affect the clarity and brightness of the image, unlike standard glasses.

You can use contact lenses from 10-12 years old. The best choice for children will be daily lenses, which are characterized by high levels of hygiene and safety. The child must learn to insert them into the eyes on their own, it is best to do this for the first time under the supervision of a specialist. It is also important to remind him of the need to regularly clean the products and replace the solution in the containers.

From the age of 14-15, you can switch to products with a prolonged period of action: for 14 or 30 days. At this age, the child can independently care for the lenses, so there will be no problems with their use. Teenagers who are already starting to make up should remember one elementary rule: you need to put on contact lenses before applying makeup, remove it after it is removed.

The price range for daily contact lenses varies from 230 to 400 rubles for a pack of 1-2 pieces. But most often they are sold in sets of 30, 90 or even 180 items. The cheapest, but high-quality kits are offered by Bausch & Lomb and Dailies (Alcon). A package with 30 lenses from these companies will cost about 800 rubles.

The price tag for planned wear products will be slightly lower. For example, a set of 6 two-week lenses costs an average of 1,500 rubles. For the same set, but with a monthly replacement, you will have to pay 1000-2000 rubles, depending on the company. Those who decide to opt for semi-annual products need to count on at least 400 rubles. for 1 piece

Colored lenses are more expensive, even if they are decorative (without diopters).Depending on the brand, wearing mode and shade intensity, the price of one pair will be from 400 to 1500 rubles. The cost of lenses with a pattern, as well as scleral and carnival models, starts from 1000 and reaches 4000 rubles.

You can choose and buy contact lenses in an optical network store, a specialized vending machine (lensomat) or an online store. We strongly do not recommend buying them in dubious places, because the state of your vision depends on it. You should not try to save money by ordering optics on unverified sites.

If contact lenses are suspiciously low in price, they may be counterfeit and only imitate brand name products. It is better to give preference to reliable suppliers and official stores of firms. Of course, when ordering online, the reviews of people who have already bought the product before are of great importance.

If this is your first time taking lenses, it is better to buy them in one of the usual optical stores. Their prices are slightly higher, but you can talk to a consultant and get his opinion about a particular company. For those who take contact lenses more than once and know which products are ideal, we recommend placing an order in an online store or using a vending machine. Unfortunately, the lensomat network is small, so you can only find them in large cities.

Lenses for vision correction are represented by many Russian and foreign companies. Online stores are dominated by products from Acuvue, Dailies (Alcon) and Bausch & Lomb. These are proven brands that produce contact lenses with different wearing periods for 10 years or more. The cost of goods is not very encouraging, so buyers often prefer lesser-known manufacturers. Also in recent years, famous brands have been competing with Korean companies OKVision, Neo Vision, Belmore Contact, DueBa and Dreamcon. Among the most famous manufacturers:

Air Optix. Excellent lenses, the key advantage of which is high breathability. This means that they do not cause discomfort or the effect of "sand in the eyes" even after prolonged use.

Acuvue. The most common lenses in Russia produced by the Johnson & Johnson brand. They ensure that the required level of hydration is maintained even with prolonged wear. Both colorless and decorative lenses of this brand are on sale.

Pure Vision. A feature that distinguishes the hydrogel contact lenses of this company is a rich blue tint. This does not affect the state of your vision at all, but they look very beautiful and unusual.

Proclear. Contact lenses of this brand are very thin, do not interfere with air circulation and therefore are as comfortable as possible to wear. The best choice for those who have just started using them. The unique coating of Proclear lenses keeps them moist for a long time.

Biofinity. Expensive, but high-quality lenses, ideal for people with sensitive eyes. They allow air to pass through without creating discomfort when worn. Judging by the reviews, they are easy to put on and take off.

Other brands offering quality contact lenses include Adria, Maxima, Butterfly, Soflens and Contact Day. You can buy products of these brands without fear. It provides more accurate vision correction and is characterized by increased comfort in use.