Contact lens material
The material of contact lenses plays a crucial role in the wearing time of contact lenses and their tolerability.
Rigid gas permeable (hard) contact lenses
Rigid, hard contact lenses are made from modern plastics that offer high long-term compatibility while also allowing good oxygen supply.
These lenses float freely on the tear film and cover a smaller area of the cornea than soft contact lenses. They are typically worn for 12 months – sometimes longer.
Due to modern materials, it is advisable to replace contact lenses according to the manufacturer's recommendations, as the oxygen-permeable materials become rough with use. This wear and tear impairs both wearing comfort and vision.
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made from a flexible, water-absorbing material such as hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. They are characterized by their high flexibility and comfortable fit, as they easily adapt to the shape of the cornea.
The advantages that soft contact lenses offer in terms of wearing comfort and adaptability can also have disadvantages:
If soft contact lenses are not properly fitted, they can dry out and change their position on the cornea over time – this can damage the cornea and restrict oxygen flow. This often goes unnoticed, but can cause red eyes, frequent inflammation, a scratchy feeling while wearing the lenses, or difficulty removing them.
Since deposits accumulate more quickly on soft contact lenses compared to rigid gas permeable lenses, regular care or daily replacement (in the case of daily lenses) is essential to maintain eye health.
Soft contact lenses - hydrogel
Hydrogel contact lenses consist of roughly equal parts hydrophilic polymer and water. Their high moisture content provides exceptional initial comfort. The more water the lens contains, the better the oxygen permeability.
This can be problematic for people with dry eyes and affect wearing comfort.
Soft contact lenses - silicone hydrogel
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses have a low water content but offer higher oxygen permeability, making them well-suited for dry eyes and sports activities.
They allow for long wearing times throughout the day and provide the eyes with sufficient oxygen, provided that a very good fit is ensured through adjustment and checks, even after several hours.
Contact lens material
The material of contact lenses plays a crucial role in the wearing time of contact lenses and their tolerability.
Rigid gas permeable (hard) contact lenses
Rigid, hard contact lenses are made from modern plastics that offer high long-term compatibility while also allowing good oxygen supply.
These lenses float freely on the tear film and, due to their small size and the lubrication by tear fluid, can be worn for 12 months or longer, while covering only a small area of the cornea.
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made from a flexible, water-containing material such as hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. They are characterized by their high flexibility and comfortable fit, as they easily adapt to the shape of the cornea. Because deposits accumulate more quickly on soft contact lenses compared to rigid gas permeable lenses, regular cleaning is essential to maintain eye health.
Soft contact lenses - hydrogel
Hydrogel contact lenses consist of roughly equal parts hydrophilic polymer and water. Their high moisture content provides exceptional initial comfort. The more water the lens contains, the better the oxygen permeability.
One disadvantage of these lenses, however, is that they are not suitable for very long wearing times and can be problematic for people with dry eyes. This is due to the rapid evaporation of the liquid film, which causes the lens to absorb the lost moisture from the eye's fluid.
Soft contact lenses - silicone hydrogel
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses have a low water content but offer higher oxygen permeability, making them ideal for dry eyes and sports activities.
They allow for over 14 hours of wear per day and provide the eyes with sufficient oxygen.
Soft contact lenses - hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that can store a particularly large amount of water and release it to the eye.
This makes hyaluronic acid contact lenses particularly well-suited for people with dry eyes. The hyaluronic acid retains moisture, thus providing long-lasting hydration for the eyes. With each blink, a small amount of hyaluronic acid is released, which seems ideal for long hours at the computer, dry indoor air, or similar stresses.
