If you are a new contact lens wearer, you might wonder whether hard or soft lenses are the better choice for you. Soft lenses are the most popular type of contact lenses in Oakville and around the world because they are comfortable and convenient, while staying in place, even during sports or other activities. If you have a tricky prescription or are prone to eye infections, you might find gas permeable (GP) or “hard” contacts a better value.
Why Choose GP Contact Lenses In Oakville?
Both types of contacts can easily correct eye conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), blurred vision (astigmatism), or age-related problems (presbyopia), but hard contacts offer special advantages for astigmatism and other conditions.
- Astigmatism is a condition in which multiple points of light enter the eye to cause blurring. Rigid GP lenses mold the tear film on the front of the eye into a spherical shape that corrects the condition. In contrast, soft lenses cannot correct astigmatism unless they have a special curvature manufactured into the front of the lens. If the “toric” lens rotates when you blink you can have blurry vision for a moment, while the lens adjusts.
- In cases of high astigmatism, a special lenses known as “bitoric” offers multiple back surface curves in each meridian of the contact for better vision and a better fit. Recent studies published in Optometry (The Journal of the American Optometric Association) confirmed that 75% of study participants said their astigmatic vision was better with GP lenses. Though only 10% wore GP lenses before the study, 60% changed to them after the study.
- GP contacts are also better if you need bifocals to manage your near and far vision, or if you are a heavy computer user, or if you need the larger diameter scleral lenses if you have irregular corneas or hard-to-fit eyes. Aside from providing better vision, many wearers of contact lenses in Oakville reports that hard GP lenses cause fewer eye problems and fewer infections.
- In addition to offering clearer vision for many people, hard, or gas permeable, lenses can last for two or three years if your prescription remains the same. Modern GP lenses work well for sports as they offer better eye protection and crisper vision.
Choose Oakville’s Top Provider For Contact Lenses
Sanger Contact Lens Centre offers a full range of gas permeable contacts, made right on site. When you are considering contact lenses in Oakville, call us today at 905-845-4446 or contact us via our website form to set up an appointment.