Contact lenses for high prescriptions

If your lens prescription looks like a math equation worthy of Sheldon Cooper's whiteboard, you might be wondering if you're destined to wear Coke-bottle glasses for the rest of your life. We have great news! There are actually several contacts for high prescriptions, so you may be able to wear contact lenses instead.

Here's why some lenses are better than others:

• Lens thickness and shape can affect fit, comfort, and visual accuracy.

• Breathable material makes thicker lenses comfortable.

• Some brands and products have limited power ranges.

• When you have a high prescription, it's even more important for your contact lenses to fit properly.

Finding the right contacts is like finding the right pair of jeans. You need to do a little research first. Stay tuned as we explain which types of contact lenses are ideal for users with strong prescriptions.

Can you get contacts if your prescription is high?

Outside the most extreme cases, you can still get contacts, even if your prescription is high. Whew. Now you can stop worrying! The best way to figure out what works best for your peepers is to see an eye care professional. If you already have a high-powered prescription, you can order contacts online.

What are the best lenses for high prescriptions?

Some brands and products are better for users with high prescriptions than others. When you meet with your eye care professional, ask plenty of questions to determine which lens type is right for your eyes.

These types of lenses are often beneficial for wearers with super-complex prescriptions:

• Silicone hydrogel lenses: The special material used to make these lenses allows more oxygen to reach the eye. Look for contacts with a high Dk rating (no, we don't mean Donkey Kong). Dk is a measure of oxygen permeability. The higher the Dk rating, the better a product is at helping oxygen reach your eye.

• Aspheric lenses: Aspheric lenses have a flatter curve than other contacts. For people with high lens prescriptions, this slight change improves clarity. It can also reduce the distortion that's so common with high-powered lens prescriptions. See? Change can be a good thing!

• Toric lenses: These lenses are ideal for users with severe astigmatism, a condition that causes the corneas to take on a football-shaped appearance. This slight change in shape causes blurry vision. Toric lenses come in strong prescriptions, and they also correct astigmatism, giving you a one-two punch of vision correction.

• Custom or made-to-order lenses: You know how custom gowns fit much better than gowns bought right off the rack? Contact lenses are the same way. Yes, millions of people wear "off-the-rack" lenses without any problems, but you may need a little extra attention if you have a high prescription. You can have custom versions made to match your unique prescription strength.

• Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses: The rigid material used to make RGP lenses maintains its shape, making them a great option for extremely high prescriptions. Just think of soft contacts as a pair of fleece sweatpants and RGP lenses as a tuxedo. They have the same purpose, but RGP lenses are structured and crisp.

• Colored contacts: If you're dying to land the lead role in your community theater's next production, consider getting colored contacts for a high prescription. Colored contacts are exactly what they sound like: Contact lenses that change your eye color. These lenses come in a wide range of colors, from vibrant violet to glowing green.

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Examples of contact lens products for strong prescriptions

1-800 Contacts wants everyone to enjoy comfortable contacts that work for their unique needs. Contacts for high prescriptions available on our website include:

• Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism. Acuvue Oasys soft contacts have UV blocking to protect your delicate eyes. These soft contact lenses last for 1 to 2 weeks with proper care.

• Biofinity XR toric. Biofinity XR toric lenses are made from comfilcon A, a water-loving material that keeps them flexible. They're monthly disposables, so you can wear them daily for up to 1 month before switching to a new pair. These lenses are made specifically for users with astigmatism.

• Air Optix HydraGlyde for astigmatism. Are you tired of dry, itchy eyes? Reach for a pair of these lenses. The HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix helps maintain surface moisture throughout the day. Air Optix HydraGlyde lenses for astigmatism are just the right shape to correct the abnormal curvature of your eye.

• Bausch + Lomb ULTRA. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA lenses have a high water content, so putting them in is almost like giving your eyes a much-needed bath. These monthly disposables are a great fit for busy wearers with high prescriptions.

What is the highest prescription contacts can go to?

Standard soft contacts are generally available up to -12.00 diopters. Sorry, we're so used to talking about contacts that we started spouting technical terms. A diopter is just a unit of measurement. It indicates how much a lens has to bend light to focus it. If you need something higher, custom lenses are your best bet.

Myopia and hyperopia can change the strength of your prescription, so your options depend on your vision issues. Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness. If you have it, distant objects appear blurry when you're not wearing corrective lenses.

Hyperopia is the technical term for farsightedness. It causes nearby objects to appear blurry. If you have myopia, you need more negative powers in your prescription to account for your nearsightedness. Hyperopia has the opposite effect. If you have it, you need more positive powers in your prescription to counteract your farsightedness.

What contacts are good for high myopia?

The right lens for myopia depends on the results of your eye exam. Some people benefit from RGP lenses, while others need scleral or multifocal lenses. Scleral lenses are similar to RGP lenses, but they cover more of the eye. Multifocal lenses have separate zones for distance and near vision.

 

Shop your favorite brand today

There you have it. Just because you have a high prescription doesn't mean you're stuck wearing glasses forever. 1-800 Contacts has multiple contacts for high prescriptions. Visit our website to find your prescribed brand.