Contact Lenses For The First Time On A Daily, Monthly Or Annual Basis?

The less time it can be worn, the better. There is no doubt that if the daily throwing is better than the monthly throwing is better than the quarterly throwing, the shorter the time, the lower the probability of microbial infection, which can maximize the health of the eye surface

Silicon hydrogel is not necessarily the best. This is a relatively objective fact. Personally, I suggest you try it and finally choose the one that suits you. At present, there is a very unified conclusion on the market: silicon hydrogel is better than hydrogel because of its higher oxygen permeability.

Personally, I don't think this statement is very accurate.

First, let's talk about the contact lens material. The current silicon hydrogel is more biocompatible, especially in terms of increasing oxygen permeability. Oxygen permeability is an inherent characteristic of contact lenses, which can transmit oxygen from the atmosphere to the cornea. We should remember that each contact lens is a barrier for oxygen to enter the eyes and may lead to hypoxia, which is the cause of clinical problems, such as corneal edema, corneal neovascularization, corneal acidosis, loss of corneal transparency, and epithelial keratoplasty. Because the oxygen permeability of traditional hydrogel lenses is relatively low, the minimum oxygen demand of cornea cannot be met under the condition of eyelid re closure. In order to solve the potential clinical problems caused by the bottom oxygen permeability of traditional hydrogel lenses during overnight wear, a new hydrogel lens material containing organosiloxane in its polymer has been developed.

The oxygen permeability (Dk) of silicon hydrogel lenses is about 5-10 times that of traditional hydrogel materials, which is a new favorite of contact lens materials.
Hydrogel contact lenses

Hydrogel lenses are made of gel like water containing plastic called hydrogel, which is the "man of the moment" before the silicon hydrogel is marketed. The lens is very thin and flexible, which can perfectly fit the surface. Hydrogel lenses were introduced in the early 1970s, which made contact lenses more popular due to improved comfort and ease of use. The only bad thing is that you will begin to feel uncomfortable and dry when the water gradually evaporates after wearing it for several hours.

Advantages: excellent comfort and durability, high biocompatibility with human eyes

Disadvantages: low oxygen permeability, uncomfortable after wearing for several hours, and less elastic than silicon hydrogel

Silicon hydrogel contact lenses

Silicon hydrogel lenses are more porous than ordinary hydrogel lenses, allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea. Launched in 2002, the combination of hydrogel and organosilicon enables to increase oxygen permeability, even if the amount of water is small. This higher oxygen transmission rate reduces the risk of oxygen deficiency in the eyes. It is the best choice for people who need to wear invisible for a long time.

Advantages: high oxygen permeability reduces hypoxia related symptoms and can be worn for a long time.
Disadvantages: more contact lens deposits are accumulated, which is not suitable for people with silicone intolerance.

Most optometrists and ophthalmologists agree that the most obvious benefit of silicon hydrogel lenses is that they reduce the oxygen deficiency related problems associated with soft lenses made of conventional hydrogel materials. For example, red eyes, discomfort and severe keratitis related to contact lenses caused by wearing contact lenses for a long time are reduced. However, silicon hydrogel lenses have not completely solved the problem of discomfort of contact lenses. In fact, some people may experience more lens presence when wearing silicon hydrogel lenses than when wearing ordinary hydrogel lenses, that is, discomfort, foreign body feeling. 

Thanks for reading 

Sophie Yang

004@mikeeyewear.com