Compare contact lenses types
There are different types of contact lenses available with slightly different purposes.
1-Day soft lenses
Single-use, daily wear lens that are designed to be worn for a single day, discarded at night, and replaced with a brand new pair.
- assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced
- typically no lens care is required
- great for active lifestyles
Daily-wear soft lenses
Made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
- more comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses
- very short adaptation period
- available in tints and bifocals
- great for active lifestyles
Extended-wear soft lenses
Available for overnight wear. Made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
- can usually be worn without interruption, even while sleeping, up to a maximum number of days
Frequent & planned replacement soft lenses
Soft daily or extended wear lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, normally every two weeks, monthly or quarterly.
- available in most prescriptions
- assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced
- spare lenses conveniently on hand
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP)
Made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes
- durable with a relatively long life (1-2 years)
- easy to put on and to care for
- vision may be sharper than with soft contact lenses
- available in tints (for handling purposes)
- daily-wear and extended-wear designs available
- planned replacement schedule also available