Prescription Contact Lenses: Everything You Need to Know

Prescription contact lenses, which are placed directly on the cornea, correct refractive errors just like eyeglasses. They are a safe and effective way to correct vision and can be an excellent alternative to glasses when used carefully and under proper medical supervision. In some cases, prescription contact lenses are a medical necessity.  

They are used to correct the same problems that glasses correct, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia. Eye doctors always recommend that all patients keep a backup pair of lenses.

Types of Intraocular Lenses for Cataracts

Cataracts cause your vision to become cloudy and distorted, making it impossible to see clearly. During cataract surgery, your eye’s natural lens is surgically removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Many manufacturers produce cataract surgery lenses. In general, there are four main types of IOLs that can be implanted during surgery, although each manufacturer uses different materials and has its own specific features. The four main types are:  

• Monofocal IOLs  

• Toric IOLs (for astigmatism)  

• Multifocal IOLs  

• Light-adjustable IOLs  

The Best Types of Intraocular Lenses

Your natural eye lens adapts to incoming light and helps focus images onto the retina. Then, a group of light-sensitive cells sends signals to your brain to form an image, allowing you to see. When a cataract develops over this lens, your vision becomes cloudy and distorted, and colors may appear dull and washed out.  

The only way to improve vision affected by cataracts is cataract extraction surgery.

Monofocal IOLs are considered the standard intraocular lenses and are often included in the overall cost of surgery, depending on your insurance coverage. The power of the IOL used during cataract surgery is chosen based on your specific refractive needs.  

As the name suggests, a monofocal lens has a single focal point and provides one fixed focusing power—typically optimized for either distance, intermediate, or near vision.

Because of this, you will likely still need to wear glasses or contact lenses for reading or computer use. People who need astigmatism correction will most likely need to wear glasses at all times after cataract surgery if they choose a standard (non‑toric) IOL.

Types of Prescription Contact Lenses | Best Lenses for Sensitive Eyes

There are many types of contact lenses, and the right type depends on the condition of your eyes. Your ophthalmologist will help you choose between the following types:

1. Soft Contact Lenses

These are the most commonly prescribed lenses. They are flexible and allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are four main categories of soft lenses (such as daily disposable, biweekly, monthly, and extended wear), each with different replacement schedules and wearing times.

2. Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses

Also known as “rigid” or “hard” lenses, they are made of plastic combined with silicone. They allow oxygen from the air to pass through the lens to the cornea, which is why they are called “gas permeable” lenses. They provide very sharp vision and are especially useful in certain refractive errors and corneal irregularities.

Do Contact Lenses Cause Blindness?

The cornea is the clear outer layer at the front of the eye. It protects the eye and helps focus light onto the back of the eye, allowing you to see clearly. While contact lenses rarely damage the cornea directly, sleeping in lenses that are not specifically designed for extended wear significantly increases the risk of corneal infection or even a corneal ulcer, both of which can threaten vision if not treated promptly.

Benefits and Risks of Prescription Contact Lenses

Pros:  

• Provide a wider field of view than glasses and do not fog up.  

• Can offer better visual quality in some refractive errors and irregular corneas.  

• More convenient for sports and many daily activities.  

Cons:  

• Require strict hygiene and regular cleaning and disinfection.  

• Increase the risk of eye infections compared to glasses if misused.  

• Can contribute to dry eye, irritation, or allergic reactions in some users.  

My Experience with Prescription Lenses

Around two to three years ago, when I was about forty, I noticed that I could no longer see things clearly when my daughter held my phone or objects close to my face.

I had to push them out to about 40 cm (roughly 16 inches) before I could see them clearly. I realized it was time to start using corrective lenses for presbyopia (age‑related farsightedness).

I have mild myopia, so even with mild presbyopia, I can simply take off my distance glasses when I need to see something clearly up close (about 20–30 cm away), especially small print like medication labels or instructions. This allowed me to manage without progressive (multifocal) lenses for a while.

Cost of Prescription Lenses for Myopia and Low Vision

The price of prescription contact lenses depends on several factors, including the lens prescription itself, the lens type, where you purchase them, and how often they need to be replaced.

In general, lenses used to correct astigmatism (toric lenses) are more expensive than standard soft lenses that only correct myopia or hyperopia. Colored lenses also tend to cost more than clear lenses or lightly tinted lenses (which simply help you see the lens in its case or find it if it drops). Colored lenses can be 70% to 80% more expensive than non‑colored lenses.

Lenses may seem expensive, especially if they are replaced daily or every two weeks, depending on their type. However, buying them in bulk often gives you a good discount.

Gas permeable (GP) contact lenses, which are custom‑made for each patient according to a prescription, are more expensive than standard soft lenses because they are not mass produced. Despite their higher upfront cost, one pair of GP lenses can often last an entire year with proper care.

Prescription contact lenses specifically fitted by an eye doctor are much more expensive than conventional, over‑the‑counter cosmetic lenses. The “best” medical lenses are those that are most appropriate for your eye condition—not necessarily the most or least expensive.

Water Content in Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are usually available in three main categories based on water content:  

• Low‑water lenses, which contain less than 40% water  

• Mid‑water lenses, which contain about 50–60% water  

• High‑water lenses, which contain more than 60% water  

The choice depends on corneal health, tear film quality, and wearer comfort.

Medical Uses of Lenses

Imaging and optical technologies play a crucial role in the medical and bioanalytical fields, as they improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Advanced lenses and optical systems enable physicians and scientists to obtain accurate measurements and closely monitor patients’ health—whether in diagnostic devices, operating microscopes, endoscopes, or other medical imaging equipment.

Is It Harmful to Wear Contact Lenses Every Day? | How Many Hours per Day?

In general, prescription contact lenses can be safely worn for about 14 to 16 hours per day, as long as your eyes remain comfortable and your doctor has approved this wearing schedule.

Are Prescription Contact Lenses Harmful to the Eyes?

Almost all complications are related to poor hygiene and improper care, but it is still true that contact lenses carry a higher risk than eyeglasses. Neglecting proper lens care can cause irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and other uncomfortable eye problems. In severe cases, it can lead to corneal infections.

Does Sleeping in Contact Lenses Cause Blindness?

Sleeping in lenses that are designed only for daily wear can lead to infections, corneal ulcers, and other serious eye conditions that may cause permanent vision loss. Contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea—the clear front surface of your eye—and this reduction becomes more pronounced when the eye is closed during sleep.

How to Choose Prescription Eyeglass Lenses

The type of refractive error you have determines the shape of the corrective lens you need:

– If you are nearsighted (myopic), you need a concave lens (curved inward) to diverge light rays.  

– If you are farsighted (hyperopic), you need a convex lens (curved outward) to converge light rays.  

– If you have astigmatism, your cornea has an irregular shape, so your lenses are ground in a cylindrical form to correct different powers in different meridians of the eye.

How to Choose Contact Lenses

Choosing the best contact lenses depends on several factors, including your specific visual needs and your reasons for wanting to wear lenses.

– If you want the sharpest vision possible, gas permeable (GP) lenses are often the best choice and generally provide clearer vision than soft lenses, especially in cases of astigmatism or irregular corneas.  

– If you have astigmatism, toric lenses are usually preferred because they have special design features that correct the blurred vision caused by uneven corneal curvature—this is the most common type of astigmatism.  

– Soft contact lenses are the best option for people seeking immediate comfort because the eye adapts to them quickly, whereas GP lenses often require a longer adaptation period that may last several weeks.  

– If you do not want to deal with daily cleaning and disinfecting solutions, daily disposable lenses (single‑use lenses) are a convenient option.

If you are over 40 and have presbyopia, bifocal or multifocal contact lenses may reduce or eliminate your need for reading glasses. Gas permeable or daily disposable lenses are often better for people with allergies because they accumulate fewer deposits.

Most people who need vision correction can wear contact lenses, but certain conditions may prevent their use, such as severe dry eye, recurrent eye infections, uncontrolled allergies, or some corneal diseases. Your eye doctor will determine whether you are a good candidate.

Sleeping with Prescription Contact Lenses

In general, prescription contact lenses can be worn safely for 14 to 16 hours a day. However, doctors recommend removing them before sleep because wearing lenses with your eyes closed reduces oxygen flow to the cornea, which leads to dryness and increases the risk of infection, eye inflammation, or even corneal abrasions caused by severe dryness.

It is preferable to remove your lenses one to two hours before going to bed. Daily‑wear lenses should never be used for overnight wear; misuse over time can damage the cornea and may threaten your vision in the long term.

People who wear any type of lens overnight have a higher risk of developing corneal infections. These infections are often related to poor disinfection and inadequate lens care. Long‑term misuse can eventually make you intolerant to contact lenses altogether.

Gas permeable lenses can scratch the cornea if the fit is not correct or if they are worn during sleep, and they are more likely to decenter or dislodge from the cornea. GP lenses, in particular, have a reputation for popping out of the eye, although modern designs have reduced this risk even during intense physical activity.

That said, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some types of lenses for extended and overnight wear. The maximum approved continuous wear time is up to 30 days, although many eye doctors still recommend removing them at least once a week. It is essential to consult your ophthalmologist about these options and whether they are appropriate for your eyes.

Shelf Life and Replacement Schedule of Prescription Contact Lenses

Dispose of your lenses according to the replacement schedule recommended by your eye doctor (daily, biweekly, monthly, etc.). Remove your lenses and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any eye pain, light sensitivity, redness that lasts more than two days, or any abnormal eye discharge.

Proper lens care starts with seeing an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to determine the most suitable lens type for you and to discuss all available options based on your eye health and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my contact lens solution?

Contact lenses usually provide crisper vision because they sit directly on the eye, giving you a wider field of view and better focus than eyeglass lenses. They are not affected by bad weather conditions like fog or rain in the way glasses are. However, they require more care and carry a higher risk of complications if misused.

How often should I change my contact lens solution?

Contact lens solution should be changed every time you store your lenses—ideally every day. If the lenses remain unused in the case after soaking, the solution should still be replaced every 3–4 days and should not be left unchanged for more than 7 days. The more frequently the solution is changed, the cleaner and safer the lenses are. If possible, change the solution daily.

Do photochromic (color‑changing) lenses lose their tint over time?

Most plastic photochromic lenses gradually lose some of their ability to change color after about two years of regular use, depending on exposure to UV light and manufacturing quality.

How do I choose the right color for cosmetic contact lenses?

If you have a cool skin tone, blue or violet‑tinted lenses usually look most natural and flattering. For warm skin tones, honey, brown, or green lenses often blend more naturally while still giving a striking look. You should also consider your hair color—blondes tend to suit blue, green, or light brown lenses very well.

What is the difference between medical and cosmetic contact lenses?

The main difference is that medical (prescription) contact lenses are designed to correct vision and are made to specific optical standards and parameters. They tend to be more rigid or structurally stable and are intended for regular or long‑term use. Cosmetic (decorative) lenses are primarily for changing eye color and are often worn for shorter periods. They come in a wide variety of colors and designs and may or may not include vision correction. Both types, however, must be properly fitted and prescribed by an eye care professional to be safe.

Whatever vision problems or eye conditions you may have, this delicate organ requires a thorough examination and an appropriate treatment plan by a skilled ophthalmologist using effective medical tools and technologies.  

Whatever eye disease or refractive error you are dealing with, you can book an appointment at Batal Specialized Medical Complex to undergo a full eye examination and start addressing your eye problems—no matter how complex they may be.