* Note: UV Protection contact lenses are not substitutes for protective UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, as they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. Patients are advised to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed and UV-blocking sunglasses for comprehensive UV protection.
General GP Contact Lenses
Many patients can wear both types of contact lenses, especially those with astigmatism and presbyopia, who will find that the firmer GP lenses provide clearer and crisper vision than soft lenses, but GP contact lenses may be the only option for clear vision for patients with keratoconus.
GP materials are a healthy lens option since they provide excellent oxygen transmission, allowing the eyes to breathe as the firmer GP materials hold the lens better, giving sharper vision; at the same time, GP lenses are easy to care for and last longer than soft lenses.
GP lenses may be a better choice if you prioritize better visual acuity, lens durability, less drying lens, and better deposit resistance over convenience, ease of adaptation, and comfort of soft lenses. For the best lens fit, consult an eye care professional on which contact lenses suit your needs and lifestyle.
Adaptation to GP lenses is different for every patient as it depends on the individual’s eye sensitivity; in general, most new patients or new GP contact lens wearers will experience the initial lens sensation (i.e., able to feel the contact lenses).
It is essential to follow the wearing schedule prescribed by your eye care professional, which usually involves gradually increasing the wearing time of the lenses over the first few days.
During the initial adaptation period, it is common to experience some mild symptoms such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and mild discomfort; these symptoms should improve over time as your eyes adjust to the lenses with the wearing experience return to normal.
It is vital to have regular follow-up appointments with your eye care professional during the adaptation period and beyond to ensure that your eyes are healthy and the lenses are well fit.
It is worth noting GP contact lenses were launched in 1979 after the soft lenses and have undergone significant development since their launch; the lenses have seen an increase in oxygen transmission while maintaining good wetting and deposit resistance and increased stability and durability without compromising corneal physiology. The state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques employed by laboratories like Oculus have resulted in the creation of GP lens designs that offer improved vision and comfort to users.
Sleeping in GP contact lenses is not recommended as it risks eye infections and causes other serious complications which may lead to vision loss unless specifically prescribed by an eye care professional for overnight wear such as Ortho-K lenses.
It is generally not advisable to wear contact lenses to swim as water and bacteria can trap between the lens and the eye, which may increase the risk of eye infections or other serious eye complications, and the lenses can be dislodged from the eye during swimming, which may cause inconveniences and extra costs for lens/es replacement.
Night GP
Myopia Control Contact Lenses, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Contact Lenses
Ortho-K is a non-surgical, temporary method of correcting refractive errors in the eye, primarily used to slow down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness).
Ortho-K is a specially designed Gas Permeable (GP) contact lens for overnight wear that gently reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, by temporarily correcting the refractive error. Ortho-K lenses are designed to allow oxygen to reach your eyes while you sleep. The oxygen permeability of the lenses ensures that an adequate amount of oxygen reaches the cornea, even when the lenses are worn during sleep. This is important for maintaining the health and integrity of the cornea, as the cornea relies on oxygen from the surrounding air rather than blood vessels to stay healthy. The lenses are removed the next morning, and the reshaped cornea retains its new shape throughout the day, resulting in clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Ortho-K is considered safe and effective for most patients as long as the patient follows the recommended wearing schedules and care instructions and attends all the scheduled follow-up visits with the eyecare professional. It is imperative to consult an eye care professional before starting Ortho-K treatment to determine if it is right for you.
Ortho-K is effective in slowing down myopia progression in children and teenagers, which can reduce the risk of developing high myopia and associated complications such as early cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, macular degeneration, and other potential sight-threatening conditions later in life. The earlier our children develop myopia, the higher the risk of them developing high myopia later on in life.
Ortho-K lenses may initially feel less comfortable than soft contact lenses for new wearers due to their firmer GP materials. However, most patients will experience a significant improvement in comfort within the first week of use as their eyes adapt to the lenses.
Ortho-K lenses are easy to adapt since the patient wears the lens when sleeping, and there is minimum lens sensation.
Ortho-K treatment can be a good option for certain people to correct and control myopia (short-sightedness) progression; often a good option for people who do not want to have LASIK/other types of refractive surgery, and who prefer the convenience and freedom from glasses or contact lenses during the day/waking hours to improve their lifestyle.
The effects of Ortho-K are temporary and require ongoing overnight wear to maintain. The reshaped cornea can be retained for 1 to 2 days, with some patients experiencing clear vision for up to several weeks. The length of time that the corrected vision lasts varies among individuals; ultimately the patient will revert to their initial cornea curvature.
The recommended Ortho-K lens replacement schedule is one year, depending on the lens conditions and any necessary prescription adjustments.
Ortho-K can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients of different ages, including children and teenagers between 6 – 18 years old and adults who experience myopia progression.
The ideal age for starting Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) treatment depends on several factors, including:
- The onset age of myopia: Children who develop myopia at a younger age are more likely to have higher degrees of myopia later in life, which can increase their risk of developing vision-threatening conditions; therefore, early intervention with Ortho-K may help slow down the progression of myopia and reduce the risk of developing high myopia.
- The degree of myopia: Children with moderate to high myopia may benefit more from Ortho-K treatment than those with mild myopia.
- The rate of myopia progression: Children with rapidly progressing myopia may benefit from early intervention with Ortho-K to slow down the rate of progression.
- The ability to manage lens care: Ortho-K lenses require regular cleaning and disinfection, and children may need parental supervision to ensure proper lens care.
- The level of maturity: Children who mature enough to follow the recommended lens-wearing schedule and care instructions may be better candidates for Ortho-K treatment.
- Other eye health considerations: Ortho-K may not be suitable for children with certain eye conditions or abnormalities; an eye care professional needs to assess whether Ortho-K is a safe and effective treatment option.
It is imperative to consult an eye care professional to determine if Ortho-K is a suitable treatment option and to receive guidance on lens fitting, wearing schedule, and care instructions.
Ortho-K may be particularly beneficial for individuals who have:
- Anyone with myopia below power -6.00D and astigmatism below -2.00D
- Children and teenagers with myopia progression
- Young adults who are still experiencing changes in their prescription
- Individuals who are active in hobbies where eyewear is not practical
- Athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and people with active lifestyles who do not want to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day
- Individuals whose profession/occupation is not conducive to wearing eyewear
- Those who are looking for a non-surgical alternative to correct their vision
- Anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day
Day GP
Myopia Control Contact Lenses, MYOFOCAL DAY GP Contact Lenses
Myopia Control DAY GP contact lenses help children and adult slow down myopia progression (short-sightedness).
Myopia-control DAY GP contact lenses work specifically with peripheral defocus lens design (myopia treatment zone) to control myopia progression in tandem to correct myopia (correction zone) and reduce axial length elongation with its peripheral defocus design, thus achieving effective myopia control.
The advantages include:
- Myopia Control: Slow down myopia progression in children with far and near vision corrective treatment to control myopia by slowing down eyeball elongation
- High Power Correction: MYOFOCAL DAY GP lenses are suitable for the majority of patients as it helps to correct up to -20.00D (2000 degrees)
- High Oxygen: Made from high oxygen permeability GP lens material (Dk level 100) to ensure good eye health
- Daytime wearing: A non-surgical vision correction treatment, which you wear during the day just like the regular GP contact lenses, and yet enjoy the benefits of myopia control and comes with UV Protection* that blocks 99% UVA and UVB to prevent transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea.
- Hassle-free from glasses: Hassle-free from wearing glasses for daytime activities and offering a clearer vision for better visual performances.
- A non-surgical vision correction treatment.
- Myopia is progressing aggressively
- Resistance to overnight wear Ortho-K lenses
- High degree of myopia and astigmatism
Each treatment option has its advantages, and the ideal treatment option depends on the patient’s preference, lifestyle requirements, and professional advice by the eye care professional on your suitability. It is imperative to consult with an eye care professional to determine which treatment option is right for you.
Multifocal
Multifocal GP Contact Lenses
Multifocal Gas Permeable (GP) contact lenses are specially designed to correct presbyopia, a common age-related condition when your eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on near objects due to the aging of the eye muscle that controls the lenses in the eyes.
Multifocal GP contact lenses are designed with different zones to correct for both near and distance vision, allowing individuals to see clearly at varying distances without managing various visual aids. These lenses can benefit individuals who have an active lifestyle or those work in environments that require clear vision at differing distances.
Multifocal GP contact lenses can be very effective in addressing presbyopia, an age-related condition that occurs when the natural lens inside the eye loses its ability to focus on near objects, making it difficult to read or see an object up close.
Multifocal GP contact lenses help to provide clear vision at multiple distances by incorporating different prescriptions into the same lens, allowing the wearer to see clearly at all distances without reading glasses or other visual aids. A range of multifocal GP lens options is available to cater to the diverse needs of patients.
Research studies have shown that multifocal GP contact lenses are highly effective in improving near and distant vision for people with presbyopia; however, like any contact lens, multifocal GP lenses may not be suitable for everyone. Consult an eye care professional to help determine if these lenses suit you based on your eye health needs and vision requirements.
Toric multifocal GP contact lenses are available for individuals with astigmatism, which can provide clear vision at any distances (near, mid, far) while correcting astigmatism.
Reading glasses: Reading glasses are a simple and affordable option for addressing presbyopia, but they may be inconvenient for some people to carry around and may not be suitable for people who need to be glasses-free due to the nature of their job requirements, hobbies, and preference for convenience. GP multifocal contact lenses offer clear vision at varying distances without separate reading glasses.
Progressive lenses: Progressive lenses are glasses lenses that provide clear vision at multiple distances, including near, intermediate, and distance vision. Nevertheless, some people may find it difficult to adjust to the changes in vision between the different areas of the lens, and progressive lenses can be expensive. GP multifocal contact lenses can offer similar benefits to progressive lenses but in a more convenient and discreet form.
Refractive surgery: Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, can be an effective long-term solution for presbyopia, but it is not suitable for everyone, and there are risks and potential complications associated with any surgical procedure. GP multifocal contact lenses are a non-invasive and reversible option for addressing presbyopia.
Soft contact lenses: GP multifocal contact lenses can provide clearer vision and better contrast sensitivity than soft multifocal lenses, but they may not be as comfortable to wear. Soft multifocal lenses may be more convenient and easier to adapt to for some people, but they may not provide the same level of visual acuity as GP lenses. Thus, the best option depends on each individual’s specific eye health needs and lifestyle requirements, so it’s crucial to consult an eye care professional to determine the most suitable treatment plan.
Adapting to multifocal contact lenses is comparable to bifocal or progressive spectacle lenses adaptation when the patient wears contact lenses for the first time, and they will be able to feel the lenses for a few days.
It may take some time for the eyes to adjust to the different prescriptions within the lens; most people can adapt to multifocal contact lenses and enjoy clear vision at multiple distances with patience and a proper wearing schedule as instructed by the eyecare professional.
It is imperative to work closely with an eye professional to ensure that the contact lenses are well-fitted and that any issues or concerns are addressed during the adaptation process.
Comfort can vary from person to person, but many individuals find multifocal GP lenses comfortable for effective vision correction.