Soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are made from a flexible plastic material that absorbs water and therefore moulds smoothly to the shape of your cornea. The two main material groups are hydrogel and silicone hydrogel. Hydrogel lenses consist mainly of water and are soft and comfortable, whilst silicone hydrogel lenses also contain silicone, which allows more oxygen to reach your cornea.

The water content of soft lenses is usually between 38 and 78 per cent. A higher water content makes the lens softer and often more comfortable to insert, but can also mean that the lens draws moisture from your eye more quickly. Silicone hydrogel lenses combine a lower water content with high oxygen permeability, making them suitable for longer wearing times and for people with dry eyes.

Soft contact lenses are available in various wear schedules: daily disposable lenses that you discard after one day, fortnightly lenses, monthly lenses and, in some cases, lenses for longer periods. There are also soft lenses for various vision corrections, such as spherical lenses for short-sightedness or long-sightedness, toric lenses for astigmatism and multifocal lenses for presbyopia.

As the material is flexible, soft lenses stay securely in place, even when moving around or playing sport. They are larger than hard lenses and cover the entire cornea and a small part of the surrounding white of the eye, which contributes to their comfort.

Soft contact lenses are used to correct various refractive errors. Spherical soft lenses correct short-sightedness or long-sightedness, toric soft lenses are designed for astigmatism, and multifocal or bifocal soft lenses are used to treat presbyopia. There are also coloured soft lenses, both with and without a prescription.

The care routine for soft lenses depends on the type. Daily disposable lenses do not need to be cleaned; you simply throw them away after use. Two-week and monthly lenses should be stored and cleaned daily using a suitable lens solution. At SMEYEL , you’ll find lens solutions and care products for soft lenses, such as all-in-one solutions and peroxide systems.

Soft lenses are more susceptible to protein deposits and contaminants than hard lenses, as the material is porous. It is therefore important that you clean and replace them in accordance with the instructions for use. Never wear lenses for longer than the recommended period and do not sleep in them, unless your optician or ophthalmologist has explicitly stated that this is permitted for a specific type of lens.

If you experience dry eyes, irritation or discomfort whilst wearing your lenses, please consult your optician or optometrist. Sometimes a different type of lens, a different replacement schedule or a different solution can make all the difference. If symptoms persist or you experience redness, it is advisable to contact your eye care professional.