What is the Difference Between Hard Lenses and Soft Contact Lenses?

Our eye health has worsened over the years, all thanks to our increased screen time. We have our eyes glued to the screens like never before and vision problems have become unavoidable. Eyeglasses and contact lenses serve as a corrective measure and you can select one depending on the preferences.

Contact lenses serve as sophisticated and comfortable eyewear and lens wearers have a wide range of options to explore. Before giving yourself the best lenses it is better to be informed about the major differences between hard contact lenses and soft contact lenses.

Soft contact lenses 

Soft contact lenses are the most comfortable form of lenses. As the name suggests, soft lenses are made of a soft biocompatible material called hydrogel. Soft lenses have longer retention and are easy to handle when compared to hard lenses. 

These lenses allow oxygen to the cornea due to the flexibility and hydrophilic nature of the lenses. They help in correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age-related vision loss), and astigmatism (blurred vision). 

Pros 

• Provides oxygenation to the cornea and low to no risk of corneal deformation
• Offers better comfort
• Takes less time to get used to
• Big in size and are stable
• Low risk of impact

Cons 

• They get contaminated easily
• Higher risk of infection and allergies
• Less durability and might require frequent replacements
• More expensive than hard contact lenses
• Decreased gas permeability

Hard contact lenses 

Most of these lenses are made of gas-permeable materials. Hard contact lenses are rigid and hard offering a crisp and clear vision. They are not as flexible as soft lenses, however, they allow more oxygen to the cornea and are breathable when compared to soft lenses. Hard lenses are the most ideal and comfortable lenses for people with dry eyes owing to their breathability.

Hard lenses are available as conventional hard contact lenses and gas-permeable lenses. Like soft lenses, hard lenses are used to correct refractive errors and astigmatism. Hard lenses are also known to slow down the development of myopia in lens wearers.

Pros 

• High durability
• Easy to handle and maintain
• Better shape retention
• Lower risk of eye infections and allergies
• Offer crisp and clear vision
• High oxygen-permeability
• Inexpensive when compared to soft lenses

Cons 

• Slight initial discomfort
• Takes days or weeks to get habituated to hard contact lenses
• Smaller in diameter and tend to fall out more easily
• Dirt and debris easily accumulates under the lens
• Unstable and dislodges easily
• Tend to get scratches
• These lenses need to be consistently worn

Picking the right lenses 

There are various factors one must consider before making the decision and this includes eye condition, lifestyle, budget, and personal preference and it is always ideal to consider an ophthalmologist’s advice. You can also check a selection of contact lenses here www.contactlenses.co.uk.

Tips to handle the lens – The right way 

• Practice good hygiene before handling the lenses
• Use the ideal contact lens solution and refrain from using soap solution
• Clean and rinse the lens as suggested in the user manual
• Ensure minimal to no exposure of cosmetics on the lenses
• It is recommended to remove the lenses before swimming and intense sports
• Over-the-counter use of contact lenses without doctor’s advice should be avoided
• Prompt maintenance and replacement of the lens is vital

Originally posted 2021-07-02 00:30:41.