Contact lenses 22/03/2013

The contact lens department offers advice and personalised adaptation of contact lenses by means of a prior ophthalmological study, specific diagnostic tests and a needs assessment for each patient.

Joint work between the optometrist and the ophthalmologist means we can prevent or provide prompt treatment for any complications that might result from the use of contact lenses.

The contact lens department of the Institut de la Màcula offers different types of adaptation:

• Extended wear contact lenses as an alternative to the usual correction for myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism.
• Lenses to correct presbyopia.
• Pre-operative simulations for cataract and refractive surgery.
• Therapeutic use or support for pharmacological treatment. 

What are refractive defects?

The defects in ocular refraction are myopia, hypermetropia and/or astigmatism. A myopic eye is longer than usual so that the images of distant objects are focused on a plane in front of the retina. Hypermetropia is the opposite defect to myopia: the eye is shorter than normal and the images of distant objects are therefore focused on a plane behind the retina. Astigmatisms are defects that depend on the curvature (sphericity) of the refractive surfaces, especially the cornea.

Presbyopia is not exactly a refractive defect but rather the result of the loss of the ability to accommodate; i.e. the ability to change the eye's focus that allows us to see close-up objects clearly. We all progressively lose the capacity to accommodate with age due to the natural loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens and its surrounding tissue, as well as other related physiological changes.

Contact lenses are a non-permanent way to correct these refractive defects when they occur alone or in combination. They can also be used therapeutically.

CONTACT LENSES

Contact lenses are very small, thin lenses that are applied directly onto the cornea, either to correct refractive defects, for aesthetic reasons for therapeutic use.

In most cases contact lenses are prescribed to correct a refractive defect.

Contact lenses provide a larger visual field and greater clarity in some refractive defects that are difficult to correct with glasses.