While contact lenses have been regarded as an alternative to eyeglasses, it is customized to different kinds of lifestyles. If you are an active sports person working out, you would probably need a clear unobstructed vision. On the other hand, if you are a frequent traveler taking long haul flights across the globe, comfortable contacts are important to you. Maybe you are a busy bee working in a dynamic environment, customized contacts should be in your consideration. In this blog post, we will start to tell you about the high-quality types of contact lenses for different lifestyles.

1. Athletes: Performance and Protection on the Field

Some athletes might not know how absolutely crucial eyesight can be. If you cannot see the ball coming at you, you’ll miss it. If you cannot see your teammate alone in front of the net, you will not have sufficient time to shoot and pass him the ball in time. If you are a swimmer, and you cannot see the black line at the bottom of the pool, you will go back and forth and never finish your lap, let alone a race. Wearing eyeglasses on the field or in the water is not very practical, as they have a tendency to fog up, slide down your nose, or even break during physical activity. Here are some major advantages of contact lenses over glasses in the eyes of an athlete:

Sports-Specific Contact Lenses

These should be specially designed for various sports. For instance, UV-protective contact lenses are excellent for athletes who practice outdoor activities, such as mountain climbing or horse riding. Tinted contact lenses, which reduce glare and/or contraction, are also ideal for golfers and baseball players.

Daily Disposable Lenses

For everyday athletes, daily contact lenses are a great choice. The risk of infection is reduced because you’re inserting a fresh pair of lenses into your eyes each and every day. That means no dealing with cumbersome cleaning solutions or having to be extra careful not to get your solution into your eyes. For a swimmer or someone who engages in other water sports, there’s much less risk of infection from water seeping under the lens.

Comfort and Stability

High water-content lenses or lenses made of silicone hydrogel provide greater comfort with more oxygen permeability. These are vitally important for eye health when one is engaged in prolonged physical activity.

2. Travelers: Comfort and Convenience on the Go

There are several factors for a traveler to consider, either for work or for leisure:

  • Extended periods of time during air travel
  • Changes in climatic conditions
  • Irregular schedules

With all of these factors in mind, those who use contact lenses can be very easily disadvantaged.

Extended Wear Lenses

They can be worn all the time – including during sleep – for up to 30 days and nights in a row. These lenses are great for people on long-haul flights or others who don’t want to remove and clean lenses every day, but see your eye care provider before you start extended wear contacts.

Moisture-Retaining Lenses

Dry air in plane cabins and hotel rooms can be irritating to contact lens wearers, so a moisturizing solution or lenses that do not dry out easily are just the thing for travelers who find that their eyes dry out wherever they go.

Multipurpose Solutions and Travel Kits

Carrying a small lens care kit in your hand luggage can make a real difference. Multipurpose solutions that clean, disinfect and store lenses mean fewer things to pack, and rewetting drops should help with the sometimes-uncomfortable effect that cabin air can have on dry eyes.

3. Dynamic Work Environments: Versatility and Durability

If you work in an extreme sports environment – say, as a construction worker, a health-care provider, or even as a chef in a kitchen – you need impervious, resilient contacts that you can wear day in and day out. Here’s what to look for:

Toric Lenses for Astigmatism

For astigmatics who don’t like wearing glasses because the frames can slip around and dust and sweat can distort their vision, toric contact lenses provide the correction they need, and they don’t slip around. They work and they last all day.

Gas Permeable Lenses

For dusty environments, or those where fine particles are in the air, a GP lens might be better than a soft lens. With the latter, there’s a risk that it could pick up particles or bits of debris, which could impair vision or cause a scratch – GP lenses are less prone to these issues. GP lenses also offer superior vision for some people with irregular corneas or with prescriptions of -6.00 or higher.

Safety Considerations

Contacts may be preferable to glasses in dangerous situations, such as where glasses would fog up, slide down your nose or even shatter. If you do wear contacts, it’s crucial to wear them over goggles or a shield that protects your eyes from flying debris or hazardous materials.

4. Other Considerations for Active Lifestyles

Whatever kind of life you lead, there are some general pointers that’ll help you be sure your lenses are up to the job:

Regular Eye Check-Ups

Of course, you need to visit your eye care professional on a regular basis to make sure your prescription is still up to date and that your eyes are in good health. This is especially true for contact lens users who wear their lenses while participating in high-intensity activities that can carry a high level of risk.

Hydration and Hygiene

Staying hydrated and taking care of your general ocular health remains important, particularly for those who are athletic or who work in air your lenses, and follow all manufacturer-recommended hygiene procedures to avoid infections.

Consider Hybrid Lenses

Others might find that they benefit most from hybrid lenses, which offer the comfort of a soft lens and the clarity of a gas permeable lens, especially those with unusually shaped eyes or a strong prescription.

The Right Lens for Your Lifestyle

No matter your lifestyle, lenses can help enhance your comfort, performance and convenience, be it for athletes, jet-setters or busy professionals who require a dynamic work environment. With the right lens for your lifestyle, you can ensure your vision is clear and comfortable – and you can keep doing what you do best. With this in mind, ask your eye care professional which lenses are the right fit for you.