The Latest Contact Lens Technology
When people talk about the latest contact lens technology, they may be talking about the lens material or the lens design. It could be argued that the latest contact lens technology actually combines the newest material with the newest design. Whatever your definition is, you’ll be happy to know that manufacturers have been working hard to perfect their contact lenses and bring you the latest contact lens technology, even if you have astigmatism.
Astigmatismis a condition in which the cornea (the front of the eye) or the lens (which is located behind the colored part of the eye) is not perfectly round, so that images are not focused on the retina and vision is blurry. Often people who have astigmatism also have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Long ago, the latest contact lens technology was spherical contact lenses, which did not correct astigmatism. Today, however, there are numerous types of lenses – called toric lenses – that correct astigmatism well. In soft lenses, the latest contact lens technology for astigmatism is a toric design made from silicone hydrogel material.
Toric contact lenses are more complex than spherical lenses because they include a prescription to correct astigmatism and a different prescription to correctmyopia or hyperopia. They may have front-surfaces curves and back-surface curves, and they have to fit properly for the best vision. For the healthiest lens-wearing experience, many eye doctors prescribe toric lenses in silicone hydrogel material, which allows up to six times more oxygen to reach the cornea than conventional hydrogel lenses. That’s a definite health advantage, particularly for people with strong prescriptions, which require thicker lenses, or for those who like to wear their lenses for 12 hours or more. Keeping your eyes healthy while providing the best vision possible is what the latest contact lens technology is all about.