Extended-wear lenses are designed for continuous use and are made from silicone hydrogel materials that allow high levels of oxygen to pass through to the cornea. This high oxygen permeability makes it possible for some lenses to be worn safely for up to six nights—or in some FDA-approved cases, up to 30 days without removal … Continued
Biweekly and monthly soft contact lenses are reusable lenses that require daily cleaning and overnight disinfection. While they tend to be more economical than daily disposables, they demand strict compliance with hygiene practices to remain safe and effective (Fogt, Roth, & Gardner, 2024). Manufacturers typically recommend replacing biweekly lenses every 14 days and monthly lenses … Continued
At the end of each day, you throw away daily disposable lenses, designed for single use. They are the most convenient and hygienic soft lens option available. Because they don’t require cleaning solutions or storage, they greatly reduce the chance of contamination and lens-related infections (Rhee et al., 2022). These lenses are particularly helpful for … Continued
Soft contact lenses come in a variety of wearing schedules to meet different lifestyle and eye care needs. The most common options include: Daily disposables, which are worn once and discarded Biweekly or monthly lenses, which are reused with proper cleaning Extended-wear lenses, which can be worn overnight for several days depending on material and … Continued
Emerging combination lenses are designed to correct both presbyopia and astigmatism. These toric multifocal lenses integrate the stabilizing elements of toric lenses with the multiple focal zones found in multifocal lenses. This combination allows aging patients with astigmatism to see clearly at all distances—without needing reading glasses. Proper alignment of both the cylindrical axis and … Continued
Multifocal contact lenses are designed for patients with presbyopia, a common age-related condition that affects the ability to see up close. These lenses allow patients to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances without the need for reading glasses (Gurnani & Kaur, 2023). There are two main design types: Aspheric transitions, which offer a … Continued
Toric contact lenses are designed specifically to correct astigmatism, a condition where the cornea has an irregular shape more like a football than a basketball. These lenses correct both spherical and cylindrical refractive errors to provide sharp, stable vision (Harthan & Man, 2022). To ensure clear vision, toric lenses use stabilization methods such as prism … Continued
Spherical soft contact lenses are the most frequently prescribed type of lens and are primarily used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). These lenses have a consistent curvature across the optical zone, providing even refractive power and stable vision. Their straightforward design makes them comfortable and simple to fit, especially for first-time users (Gurnani … Continued
Soft contact lenses are available in multiple designs to meet a wide range of patient needs. These lenses help correct different refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Understanding how each lens type functions allows eye care professionals to make more personalized choices for their patients. Lens selection depends on more than just … Continued
New innovations in soft contact lenses are enhancing not just how people see, but how comfortable and healthy their eyes feel. One major development is moisture-retaining surface treatments, which help combat dryness—especially useful for patients who use digital devices for long periods (Fogt et al., 2024). Some lenses now include blue light filtering technology to … Continued
The evolution of soft contact lens materials has significantly improved comfort and eye health. Early lenses were made of hydrogel, a water-absorbing polymer that stays soft on the eye and delivers oxygen through its water content. While initially comfortable, hydrogel lenses can become dry with prolonged use due to limited breathability (Gurnani & Kaur, 2023). … Continued
Many patients prefer soft contact lenses over rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses due to comfort. Soft lenses conform more naturally to the shape of the eye, making them more comfortable from the start and less noticeable during wear. In contrast, RGP lenses are stiffer, rest on the tear film, and often require a longer adaptation … Continued
Soft contact lenses are one of the most widely used options for correcting refractive errors. Their soft, flexible materials conform to the shape of the cornea, providing a natural and comfortable feel during wear. Because they are compatible with a wide range of prescriptions, they are commonly recommended for daily use. Their popularity stems from … Continued
We’ll be exploring the vital, and often underappreciated, connection between systemic nutrition and ocular surface health. As optometrists, we regularly encounter conditions like dry eye, non-healing corneal defects, and recurrent erosions — and while we often treat these with topical therapies, it’s critical to consider systemic factors, including nutrition and vitamin deficiency, that might be … Continued
Click to download and print the course. To get the most out of this course, we recommend completing it in an environment free from distractions. Platform Instructions If you prefer to print the course and test questions, the PDF version is located below. Download & Print Courses are now broken down into Lessons. You can … Continued
Click to download and print the course. To get the most out of this course, we recommend completing it in an environment free from distractions. Platform Instructions If you prefer to print the course and test questions, the PDF version is located below. Download & Print Courses are now broken down into Lessons. You can … Continued