A Beginner's Guide to Oxygen Contact Lenses

Oxygen -- it's used by every part of the body, including the eye. If the eye does not receive the amount of oxygen it needs, the eye can suffer and the cornea can even become misshapen. This is why many people are seeking oxygen contact lenses, or contact lenses that allow oxygen to get to the cornea.

One type of contact lens that allows a good deal of oxygen to reach the eye are rigid gas permeable, or RGP contact lenses. This type of lenses are not as popular as soft lenses, but are often chosen by individuals who are concerned with the level of oxygen that is reaching the eye. Also, RGP lenses are durable and last a lot longer than soft lenses. If you are interested in this type of contact lens, make an appointment with your eye doctor, who can fit you properly and instruct you on their proper use and care.

If rigid gas permeable contacts just aren't for you, there are certain types of soft contact lenses that are designed to allow more oxygen to get through than their conventional counterparts. One of the newest offerings in the soft contact lens world is O2Optix Breathable Contact Lenses by Ciba Vision. These contacts are made with a modern silicone hydrogel material that allows oxygen to pass through the contact and reach the eye.

Ciba also offers a soft contact lens called Night and Day, which are breathable 30-day extended wear lenses. That means you can wear them for 30 days and nights -- without having to take them out! Like the O2Optix lenses, these are made with innovative silicone hydrogel and allow more oxygen to reach the eye than conventional soft contacts.

As the necessity of oxygen to the eye and the effects of oxygen deprivation are better understood, more and more contact lens manufacturers are developing breathable lenses. To learn what kind of oxygen contact lenses are best for your individual vision correction needs, visit your eye doctor. At an average contact lens fitting, your eyes will be examined and measured in detail. Your doctor will ask you questions, such as whether or not dry or irritated eyes are a problem for you. All the data collected will be analyzed, your prescription will be created and recommendations will be made regarding the ideal contact lens type for you.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Technorati Tags: contact lenses, A Beginner's Guide to Oxygen Contact Lenses, Oxygen Contact Lenses