Silicone Hydrogel Contacts

Silicone hydrogel contacts are the latest innovation in contact lenses. They are much more permeable than traditional hydrogel soft contact lenses. What this means is that more oxygen gets through the lens to the cornea of one’s eye, which means more comfort and longer use. Some silicone hydrogel contacts are worn for an entire month without ever taking them out.

How Do Silicone Hydrogel Lenses Work?
The hydrogel polymers in regular soft contact lenses work by allowing water through to the eye. The water carries oxygen that allows the eye to breathe, even when covered by contact lenses. However, the amount of oxygen the eye receives is restricted by how much can be transmitted through water. Silicone can be permeated by oxygen, meaning that hydrogel lenses made with silicone can carry oxygen to the eye both through the water they contain and directly.

What Are the Advantages of Silicone Hydrogel Lenses?
The main advantage of silicone hydrogel lenses is that they allow for the return of 30-day wear. Since the silicone hydrogel lenses carry so much more oxygen, up to seven times more than conventional soft contact lenses, wearers can keep the lenses in for around a month with limited danger of infection or other damage to the eye.

Since the lenses require less water, they are less likely to suffer from dehydration, resulting in more comfort for the wearer. Some wearers considering LASIK may find silicone hydrogel lenses to be a better alternative, since they do not require surgery.

What Else is There to Know About Silicone Hydrogel Lenses?
Patients who prefer to sleep in their lenses are perfect candidates for silicone hydrogel lenses. It is important to note that not all silicone hydrogel lenses are 30-day wear lenses. Other types of silicone hydrogels may be weekly replacement lenses or even daily wear lenses.

In addition, silicone hydrogel lenses may require a special order, since not all brands carry silicone hydrogels. Before trying silicone hydrogel lenses, you should consult your eye care professional. Let him know what your specific needs are with regard to overnight or extended wear contact lenses. He will be able to help you determine if silicone hydrogel lenses are right for you.