Latest trends in contact lenses

Introduction to the latest trends in contact lenses

When you think about contact lenses, "trendy" may not be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, people have been wearing contacts for more than 130 years. The truth is that manufacturers are always on the lookout for ways to improve their products. As a result, today's contacts are more comfortable and easier to wear than earlier models.

Advanced material technologies

Many of the latest trends in contact lenses are based on advanced material technologies. If you slept through science class, advanced materials are substances capable of delivering better performance due to their enhanced properties. In the world of contacts, silicone hydrogel was one of the biggest advances in years.

Silicone hydrogel allows more oxygen to enter the cornea, making contacts more comfortable when worn for long periods. Think of the corneas as soccer goalies. They prevent dirt, dust, and other particles from entering your eyes, reducing the risk of irritation and injuries.[GU1]  Silicone hydrogel lenses also absorb more moisture than earlier lens types.

Previously, you had to choose between gas-permeable ("hard") and soft contact lenses. Hard contact lenses are extremely durable and more affordable than soft contacts. They also maintain their shape over time. Soft contacts are more comfortable than hard lenses, making it easier to get used to wearing them. Hybrid lenses give you the best of both worlds, combining a hard lens with a soft skirt. Thanks to advanced material technologies, you can enjoy the comfort of soft contact lenses and the durability of hard contact lenses all in one product.

Customization and personalization

These days, it's also possible to purchase custom contact lenses, making it easier to correct your vision even if you have astigmatism, presbyopia, or irregular corneas. Astigmatism is an abnormal curvature of your eye's lens or cornea. This curvature changes the way your eyes bend light, causing things to look blurry no matter how close or far away they are. One way to address this issue is to wear toric contact lenses, which have a different shape than regular contacts. This corrects refractive errors, making your world as clear as can be.

As you get older, it gets harder for your eyes to focus on nearby objects. In medical lingo, this is known as presbyopia. Although this sounds scary, it's a natural part of aging. It's also something that you can overcome with multifocal contact lenses. Multifocal contacts combine multiple powers into one lens, improving your near vision and your ability to see over long distances. As an added bonus, multifocal lenses make it possible to avoid bifocal glasses.

If you have irregular corneas, you may not be a good candidate for traditional contact lenses. Eye infections, eye surgery, corneal ulcers, and dry eye are among the most common causes of such irregularities. You may not be able to wear traditional contacts, but there's no need to despair. Hybrid contacts are ideal for people with minor corneal changes, while scleral lenses are designed to correct vision problems caused by severe changes. Also known as large-diameter gas-permeable lenses, scleral lenses cover the entire cornea, creating a smooth surface.

Innovative designs and technologies

Contacts may not be the most fascinating technological innovation ever, but it sure does have a positive impact on society. Thanks to the tireless efforts of chemists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and physicists, today's contact lenses are more comfortable than ever. You can even use contact lenses as a fashion statement, adding a little color to your life without blowing your paycheck on a new wardrobe.

Daily disposable and monthly/extended-wear lenses

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth (not really), you had to take out your contacts every night and let them soak in a disinfecting solution before you could wear them again. Now, there are daily disposables and contacts designed for extended wear. If you never remember to take out your contacts, or you just hate having to soak them and wear them again the next day, you can switch to a different type of lens.

Daily disposable contact lenses are extremely convenient, as you wear them once and then throw them away (always in the trash, never down the sink or toilet, please). Therefore, they're ideal for people who don’t want to worry about caring for their contact lenses. Wearing daily disposable contacts also reduces the risk of eye infections.

Monthly disposable contact lenses are more durable than daily disposables, and they also produce less waste.  They require nightly cleaning and soaking but tend to be less expensive than daily disposables.

Colored and cosmetic lenses

Want to change up your look? Try colored contact lenses.

Some companies even make lenses with natural-looking lenses or unique patterns, making it easy to experiment with new looks. Take a walk on the wild side with tiger-striped lenses, show off your patriotic side with contacts designed to look like American flags, or win the Halloween costume contest with "Patient Zero" lenses designed to make you look like a zombie. (Braiiiiiiiins.) Always have a prescription for whatever contacts you buy, and make sure they’re FDA-approved lenses. Digital eye strain relief lenses

Now that everyone spends a million hours a week staring at their computers, smartphones, and tablets, eye strain is a major problem. Eye strain may cause blurry vision, double vision, eye pain, itching, and light sensitivity, so it's in your best interests to address it immediately. Contacts made with silicone hydrogel are helpful for eye strain sufferers, as they relieve dry eyes. Some contact lenses are even capable of filtering out blue light, giving your eyes a much-needed rest. Sticking to changing your contacts on schedule can help a ton, too.

Future innovations and research

When it comes to the latest trends in contact lenses, the best is yet to come. Scientists are working hard to come up with new designs and find ways to use advanced materials to make contacts more affordable, more comfortable, and capable of correcting more vision problems.

Smart contact lenses

Smart lenses can't take the bar exam for you, but they may be able to monitor your eye health or detect serious medical problems. Researchers are experimenting with adding smart sensors to several types of contacts, making it possible to find out what's going on in your body without requiring you to undergo expensive or invasive tests.

For example, materials scientists have developed a smart contact that's capable of monitoring your glucose level. If you have diabetes, imagine how great it would be to keep track of your blood sugar without having to prick your finger several times per day. The same sensor also helps detect diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow inside the retinas. Untreated diabetic retinopathy increases the risk of vision loss, making early detection critical.

Drug-releasing contact lenses

Scientists are also working with 3D printers, nanoparticles, and other technologies to produce contact lenses capable of releasing medications. One company has already produced a lens that's soaked in ketotifen, a medication used to treat asthma. When combined with other medications, this drug may help reduce the frequency of asthma attacks.

Once manufacturers master the process of incorporating medications into contact lenses, it may be possible to use these lenses to treat dry eye syndrome or glaucoma. For example, instead of putting drops in your eyes several times per day, you may be able to purchase contacts that gradually release moisturizing solution.

Treat your eyes to the very best

Innovative designs, advanced materials, and customization options are just a few of the latest trends in contact lenses. In the future, you may even be able to wear smart contacts or drug-releasing contacts, making it easier to monitor your health and address serious medical problems. To explore the best options for your vision needs, consult an eye care professional in your community.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get colored contact lenses if I don't require vision correction?

Absolutely! Even if you have perfect vision, you can use colored contacts to try out new looks. That said, you'll still need an eye exam and a prescription from an eye care professional.

What are the benefits of silicone hydrogel contact lenses

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses absorb moisture, so they stay comfortable all day long. They also increase the amount of oxygen that reaches your corneas, preventing dryness and itching.

How do digital eye strain relief lenses work?

Digital eye strain relief lenses typically block out blue light, the part of the visible light spectrum that vibrates at the 380 to 500 nanometer range. The sun gives off blue light, but since you don't stare at the sun all day, blue light from computers and other digital devices is a much bigger concern.

Your eyes are amazing, but they fall a bit short when it comes to blocking out this type of light. Blue light exposure also causes eye strain, which can make it more difficult to focus on what you're doing. Wearing eye strain relief lenses is a good way to tackle this problem.