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Hard Contact Lenses

13 Oct

Hard Contact Lenses

Hard contact lenses are rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts made of a flexible plastic material typically silicon. They are stiffer than conventional lenses yet their lightweight materials help eyes to receive more oxygen. these lenses are larger than PMMA lenses and cover more of your eye. They are more comfortable and stay on your eyes more securely compared to the older variety.

Hard contact lenses are used to correct common vision issues known as refractive errors. Refractive errors occur when the shape of your eye prevents incoming light from focusing correctly on the retina. The retina is a layer of light-sensitive tissue in the back of your eye.There are several types of refractive errors that can be corrected by wearing RGP hard contact lenses, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Hard contact lenses have several advantages compared to soft contact lenses including providing sharper, clearer vision, more resistance to protein and lipid buildup, Durability, less expensive, and better option for astigmatism. However, it usually takes longer to adjust to wearing hard contact lenses and they may not be as comfortable as soft lenses.

There are some safety tips while using hard contact lenses in order to lower the risk of an eye infection and increase their durability.

  1. Daily cleaning
  2. avoid using tap water for cleaning
  3. Avoid using saliva for cleaning
  4. Clean your hands before touching your contact lenses
  5. avoid wearing your contact lenses while swimmingor bathing.
  6. Replace contact lens cases regularly.
  7. Don’t sleep in your lenses

Tips for inserting a hard contact lens 

  1. Always insert the same contact lens first.
  2. Wash your hand thoroughly and dry them properly before touching the lenses
  3. Remove your contact lens from its case and set it on your dominant hand’s index finger.
  4. Look for any tears, rips, or debris on the lens.
  5. Rinse the lens with a saline solution that is clear.
  6. Hold your upper eyelid towards your eyebrow with your non-dominant hand’s middle finger to prevent your eyelashes from getting in the way.
  7. Pull your lower eyelid down with your dominant hand’s middle finger.
  8. Slowly bring the RGP lens toward your eye and gently place it on the cornea of your eye, while looking straight ahead.
  9. Blink multiple times to ensure the lens stays in its correct location, this also allows tears to flow under the lens adding a cushion of comfort.

Tips for removing a hard contact lens

There are two different methods for removing hard contact lenses. Please make sure to wash and dry your hands properly before trying each one of them.

The blink method:

  • Look straight ahead
  • Open your eyes
  • Firmly pull the skin on the outer corners of your eyes with your middle finger
  • Slowly close your eyelids and you might feel the eyelid catching the edge of the lens
  • Blink slowly until your lens emerges.
  • Be prepared to catch your lens with a clean white towel or tissue.

The two-finger method:

  • Hold your upper eyelid against your eyebrow with your non-dominant hand’s middle finger to prevent your eyelashes from getting in the way.
  • Pull your lower eyelid down with your dominant hand’s middle finger.
  • Gently pull your eyelids together, forcing the lens to come out, starting at the outer corner of your eye and moving toward your nose.
  • Place your RGP lens in a clear storage case filled with fresh saline solution after you’ve removed it.