Soft or Hard Contacts? Dailies or Disposables? Ask Our Expert Eye Doctor Near Vienna, VA

Confused About Contacts? We Break It Down Here!

Our eye doctor near Vienna, VA, knows that finding the right type of contact lenses can be challenging, especially with the wide variety of options available in today’s market. However, contact lenses are NOT “one size fits all.” When you visit Visual Health Doctors of Optometry, we take the time to find the right contact lenses that are optimal for both your unique set of eyes AND your lifestyle. We also make sure our patients understand the relevant – and sometimes confusing – vocabulary associated with the different types of contact lenses.

Below we share some of our patients’ most commonly asked questions:
 

What Are Gas Permeable Contacts?

According to our eye doctor near Vienna, VA, while we used to refer to contacts as “hard” or “soft,” the rigid materials used in today’s hard contacts are now much more porous, which allows a much greater oxygen flow to your cornea. This type of contact is often recommended for people with certain eye conditions, such as astigmatism. You might also see rigid gas permeable contacts referred to as “RGP.”
 

Which Soft Contacts Are Right for Me?

Soft contacts are the most preferred type of contact lenses, says our eye doctor near Vienna, VA. That’s because they are more comfortable to wear and are available to suit a variety of budgets as well. Soft contacts are usually characterized by the length of time they are worn, but even differentiating between these soft contacts can be challenging. For example, “daily wear” means that the lenses are designed to be worn only during waking hours, not overnight. But “daily disposable contact lenses” describes lenses you wear only one time and then discard. Our Vienna eye doctor also prescribes disposable contact lenses that last a week, two weeks, or even a month.
 

Can I Sleep in My Contacts?

Patients often ask our eye doctor near Vienna, VA, about “extended wear” contacts, which are approved for overnight use. While sleeping in contacts is associated with a much higher risk of eye infections, extended wear contacts have become more popular due to newer materials that are thinner and more “breathable” than previous versions.
 

Get Started with a Contact Lens Exam from Our Eye Doctor Near Vienna, VA

Our knowledgeable eye care team will help guide your decision about what type of vision correction will work best for you. We can do your comprehensive contact lens exam and fit you for contacts – all in the SAME day!