What Are Vial Contacts?

Vial contacts are lenses that are designed to be worn for up to a year. They must be removed daily, cleaned properly and stored in sterile solution. Vial contacts are available in soft or rigid (gas permeable) styles. Vial contacts can be used to correct a variety of vision problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

History

• The concept of using a lens as a corrective device directly on the eye has been around for centuries. A contact lens made from glass was developed in 1887 by a German inventor. It was large and designed to fit over the cornea as well as the white part of the eye. A smaller version of the contact lens was developed in 1936 from a form of hard plastic. In the early 1970s, "soft" contacts became available. They were made from a water-absorbing polymer known as hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA). Later in the 1970s, new technology was used to developed rigid, gas permeable lenses. These lenses contain silicone, which allows oxygen to pass through the lens. After this development, traditional "hard" contacts became virtually obsolete.

Soft Vial Contacts

• Soft contacts are the most common form of lenses. Made from a hydrophilic polymer, the soft plastic material gently rests on a layer of tears over the eye. The water content within the lens allows for oxygen to pass through. Soft contacts are easy to adjust to and are very comfortable to wear. Soft contacts are a great option for those with active lifestyles because the lens does not become dislodged as easily as with rigid lenses.

Rigid (Gas Permeable) Vial Contacts

• Gas permeable contacts actually allow more oxygen to pass through to the eye than soft contacts. Many wearers find vision is crisper with gas permeable lenses, especially if they suffer from astigmatism or presbyopia (a condition requiring bifocals).Gas permeable lenses are durable and easy to clean. They are also less likely to develop an accumulation of protein deposits. Gas permeable lenses have a longer adjustment period than soft lenses, but usually become comfortable for most wearers.

Care of Vial Contacts

• Vial contacts are not designed to be worn while sleeping or for periods of time longer than a day. They must be removed daily. Care must be taken to keep the lenses clean and free from scratches, tears or harmful deposits. Some lens care systems involve careful rubbing and rinsing, while others involve cleaning the lens by soaking. The eye care professional who fits the wearer with contacts will recommend the best system for the type of lenses purchased.

Considerations

• Before purchasing vial contacts, the consumer should carefully consider the options available. Soft contacts may not correct certain vision problems as well as gas permeable lenses. Soft contacts are also more susceptible to ripping or developing a build-up of protein deposits. Gas permeable lenses need to be worn consistently to keep the eye adapted to the lens. These lenses also slip off of the eye more easily than soft contacts. It is also easy for debris to become lodged under the lens causing discomfort and possible abrasions to the eye. Some individuals report a problem known as "spectacle blur" where vision is blurry (even with glasses) for a short time after the lens is removed.