When it comes to figuring out what type of contact lens is ideal for you-there is no shortage of options to consider. A person must decide between daily or extended-wear lenses, hard or soft lenses, and in some cases, which color lens best fits their personality. Purchasing contact lenses should be done with care, caution, and a clear understanding of the many options. The following tips will help you choose the contact lenses that accommodate your needs and lifestyle best.

Hard lenses or Soft?

One of the first decisions you'll want to make is whether you want hard or soft contact lenses. Approximately 90% of people who wear contacts opt for soft lenses. Hard lenses are typically the preferred lens for people who have astigmatism, or a medical condition that results in protein deposits forming on the contact lens.

Once you've made the decision to wear hard lenses or soft, other decisions remain. There is a plethora of contact lens categories-in terms of how often they need to be replaced, as well as how they accomplish vision correction.

To help you understand which option will be best for you, it's important to learn about each option.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses. These lenses are designed to worn continuously-even overnight. They will need to be removed once a week for cleaning purposes. While it sounds convenient to not have to hassle with daily maintenance, there are many eye care professionals who frown upon this option. The reason being, keeping contacts in your eyes for extended periods of time, especially overnight, it significantly reduces the amount of oxygen to the eyes. Why is this important? Reduced oxygen to your eyes makes your eyes more prone to corneal infection and other infections.

Daily Wear Lenses. These are the most common lenses, and are also typically the most affordable. Daily wear lenses need to be removed and disinfected on a daily basis. They will also need to be replaced on a certain schedule. Depending on the brand and type of lens, the replacement schedule can vary.

Disposable Lenses. Of course, the decisions don't stop there. There are lenses that need to be replaced weekly, monthly, or daily disposables. If you are looking for a low-maintenance lens, daily disposables could be your best option because these lenses get replaced after each day's use, so no daily maintenance is required. The downfall is that they are more expensive. Disposables that are replaced weekly or monthly will need the same regular maintenance as daily wear lenses. Overall, disposables tend to be an ideal option for people with allergies or conditions that result in protein deposits.

Color contact lenses. Wearing contacts doesn't have to be a negative thing. In fact, people who wear contacts have a convenient opportunity to alter the color of their eyes. Colored contacts can provide a dramatic or subtle color change-depending on your preference.

Naturally, you will want to consult with your eye care professional to select the best contact lens for vision correction. However, there is a wide variety of options out there-so take the time to understand your options to find the type that, not only corrects your vision, but also fits best into your lifestyle.

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