With the summer heat kicking in, many people are longing for that cool water freshness and freedom that has remained hidden beneath the woolly sweaters. Among the things to be discarded is that annoying, yet no doubt essential attribute – glasses. And if you are not brave enough to opt for the corrective laser surgery option, then contact lenses are your best bet for a new summer look. But with so many brands and types on the market, which ones are right for you?
Social or Sport wearers
If you are planning to only wear your contact lenses occasionally, than one-use "daily" contact lenses are the preferred choice. It's a hassle-free option, with no cleaning or storage required. Just pop in a new pair every time you go to a party or for a jog. It is also the healthiest option, with reduced risk of infections.
- Acuvue Dailies and Acuvue Dailies Moist (for dry eyes)
- Focus Dailies
Heavy wearers
If you want to bring glasses wear to a minimum your options lie between either two-weekly or monthly replacement contact lenses. Each pair lasts for either 14 or 30 days, respectively. There is more cleaning involved (each pair must be removed every day), but these may prove more cost effective compared to daily lenses.
- Acuvue 2 and Acuvue Oasys (for dry eyes)
- Focus monthlies
Heavy duty wearers
For those who decided that glasses are just no longer an option, you may want to try out the "extended wear lenses" or "sleeping lenses", which can be worn overnight for 30 days straight. However, there is a greater risk of infections and adverse reactions, so regular contact with the optometrist is strongly recommended. They allow at least five times more oxygen to the eyes, so it's also a great regular monthly replacement option (to be taken out every day).
- Purevision extended wear
- Focus night and day.
Just Up For a Change?
Transform your image with a great selection of coloured contact lenses. The Freshlook brand offers colours to suit any taste – sea green, aqua blue, torquoise, hazel, smoky grey, violet – have a fresh pair of eyes every week!
Over 40?
If you've had enough of taking out reading glasses at a restaurant or multifocal lenses are just not for your, there are plenty of contact lens options. A daily disposable progressive lens, or Monovision system (with one eye fitted with the distance prescription and the other with the reading), may be best.
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