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Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contacts are the most popular type of contact lenses today. Many different types of soft contacts are available, and it is important to talk to your eye care practitioner about what kind may be best suited to your vision requirements. A brief description of the many varieties is discussed a little further down this page.

Soft contacts offer many advantages. They typically provide greater comfort and require a shorter period for the eyes to become adjusted to their use. Disposable soft lenses are popular because cleaning and care is much easier than regular daily wear or extended wear contacts. However, soft contacts can tear more easily and usually require a little more care than gas permeable contact lenses.  

Extended wear lenses must be replaced more frequently than daily wear contacts. Extended wear contacts usually cause few if any complications; however, it is extremely important to remove these contact lenses at the first sign of a problem. As with any contact lens, if there are problems and the lens is not removed from the eye, increased risk of serious complications or infections is present. All soft contacts must be properly cleaned and cared for to avoid problems.

Learning to insert and remove soft contacts takes time and patience. Make sure you allow as much time as is required to learn these procedures. Refer to the contact lens FAQs page for suggestions.

Varieties of Soft Contacts

Soft Daily Wear Contacts - These contacts are worn during waking hours and removed before bedtime. They typically last 6 months to 2 years, depending on maintaining excellent cleaning procedures.

Soft Extended Wear Contacts - These are worn overnight, for up to one week. Extended wear contacts need to be replaced more often than daily wear contacts, i.e. every 6 - 8 months.

Soft Disposable Contacts - These lenses can be worn as daily wear or extended wear. This type of soft contact is designed to be disposed of after a certain period of time (check brand instructions). There are daily, weekly and monthly disposable lenses.

Soft Toric Contacts - These are soft contacts that correct vision based on an individual's particular astigmatism. Toric refers to the shape and engineering of the lens. These types of soft lenses are available in daily wear, extended wear and planned replacement. 

Bifocal Soft Contacts - Bifocal contacts provide correction for both distance and near vision problems. Advances in manufacturing have made these lenses a good choice to for those with bifocal needs; however, they do not work perfectly for everyone requiring both distance and near sightedness. Talk to your eye care practitioner to determine if you are a good candidate for bifocal contacts. The cost of these types of contacts can vary greatly, from an average of about $29.00 to $80.00, depending on the type and brand. These contacts are available in daily wear, extended wear and disposable types. 

Soft Colored Contacts - Soft colored contacts offer all the advantages of soft lenses, with the added benefit that you can enhance or change your eye color. Many colors are available in soft colored contacts, including hazel, blue, green, aqua, honey, and even a variety of special effects lenses!

Mono-vision Soft Contacts - These contacts are prescribed for people needing help both with distance and close up. Typically, the more dominant eye is fitted with the distance prescription and the non-dominant eye is fitted with the near prescription. In effect, these contacts enable the use of one eye to read and the other eye for distance. While this system does not work for everyone, in some cases it can be more successful than bifocal contacts.

The wide selection of soft contact lenses can be confusing for those considering their use. Speak to a qualified optometrist before making a decision about which lenses are right for you. Proper fitting of soft contacts by a professional is imperative to successful use.

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