Silicone Hydrogel: The Latest Material In Contact Lenses & Its Benefits

By Author: MiCare
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If you are looking for the best contact lenses in india, you should choose the latest technology and materials available in the industry. The days of dry lenses and itching eyes are gone. Interestingly, the contact lens market has shown a more or less stagnant growth rate over the years. This is because almost 50% of the users so far suffered from dryness symptoms. This has been the scenario for almost two decades now. The new silicone hydrogel lenses have eliminated all the challenges and limitations that you used to associate with contacts in the past. Now you can wear contact lenses and feel comfortable all day long.

So what are silicone hydrogel contact lenses, what is the technology, what are the benefits, and how to make the right choice? Find out in this guide.

What are Silicone Hydrogel Lenses?
Silicone hydrogel lenses are made of soft plastic material with unique absorbent properties. The lens remains soft as long as it is in contact with water or solution.

Chemical Composition: These lenses are made from a combination of silicone ...
... and hydrogel. Silicone allows higher permeability for oxygen through the lens’s surface when compared to the conventional soft lenses that are made with a much higher composition of hydrogel.

The second material, hydrogel, has very high water content in it. Its primary role is to hydrate the eye. Hydrogel is also referred to as hydrophilic gel. Since there are different types of silicone hydrogels available, with different wearcycles, it is important to choose the highest quality contact lenses.

Benefits of Wearing Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
The advantage of this unique material composition is that it reduces or eliminates the compromise that needed to be made between oxygen permeability and wettability. Some of the key benefits of this material combination are as follows:

•Longer Replacement & Wear Cycles: You can wear these lenses for longer periods without any issues or discomfort. This can be in the form of ‘extended wear’for up to 6 nights and days or ‘continuous wear’ up to a month before replacing the lens.

•Better Performance: The use of these lenses means irritation-free and allergic-reaction-free usage. This is because silicone and hydrogel are combined without using solvents.

•More Comfort: As already mentioned, you can enjoy optimal comfort levels when wearing these lenses. The unique ratio of silicone and hydrogel creates low modulus, which means more softness and comfortable wear.

•No Deposits: These contact lenses have smooth water film on the surface that prevents the deposit of proteins and lipids after wearing for some time. This means that your contact lens remains clean at all times. There is no interference with your vision.

You can easily buy contact lenses online made from silicone hydrogel. One of the reasons they are more comfortable is because of their higher flexibility and more movement and bending with the eye. Conventional lenses wear because of the dryness caused by oxygen getting blocked from reaching the eye. Lenses made of silicone hydrogel allow up to 5 times the amount of oxygen to reach the eye. This helps reduce any chances of dry eyes. Among other reasons, these contact lenses are great for you if you have mydriasis.

These lenses also reduce the risk of developing hypoxia, another condition caused by contact lens wear related to lack of oxygen flow. Hypoxia has been known to cause eye infections. Overall, these contact lenses are designed for lasting longer. They are much more durable. You can wear them for longer periods without having to bear any discomfort.

How to Choose Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses?
Today, there are many types of silicone hydrogel contact lenses available. They are different in terms of their technical names. So when looking for the best option, you should choose the best contact lenses brand. The lens should be approved by the regulatory authority and cleared for specific replacement and wear conditions.

The different variations in the material help address different wearing and corrective needs. So you should consider your preferences and needs, and consult your doctor before making the right choice. It is important to consider the following factors when making the right choice:

•Oxygen Permeability: This is measured in terms of dk/t. Choose a lens with a higher dk/t value.

•Water Content: This is indicated in terms of ‘%’. Choose a lens having higher water content.

•Modulus: This is a measure of the stiffness of the lens material and is indicated in terms of megapascals or MPa. It is recommended to choose a lens with lower modulus.

So keep all these factors in mind when choosing your silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Thus, there are many reasons for choosing silicone hydrogel contact lenses. This material combination is a new innovation that offers many benefits over the conventional materials that were used in making lenses.