Contact Lenses For Nearsightedness

What is nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurry. For example, you find it easy to read a book but have trouble seeing well enough to drive a car or read highway signs and street names.

Nearsightedness typically occurs if the eyeball is too long or if the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light rays entering the eye aren't focused properly, and distant objects look blurry. 

Some people with nearsightedness may squint to see things in the distance on a regular basis but find that their squinting doesn’t help. At advanced stages of nearsightedness, you may not be able to see anything at all without the help of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because of the strain associated with forcing your eyes to focus all day, you may notice eye fatigue, soreness, and headaches. 

Nearsightedness is usually present at birth and tends to run in families. If one of your parents is nearsighted, your risk of having the refractive error is increased. The risk is even higher if both of your parents are nearsighted. 

Although nearsightedness usually stabilizes between the ages of 20 to 30 years old, people with this refractive error face a higher risk of having a detached retina (the layer of cells lining the back wall inside the eye). This is when the retina lifts away or detaches from the back wall inside the eye. It is a serious eye problem that can cause blindness. Therefore, it’s important to visit an eye care professional (ECP) regularly for comprehensive eye exams.

People with severe nearsightedness may also have a higher risk of developing other serious eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. Thankfully, most cases of nearsightedness are mild and can be easily corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery. 

Features of Contact Lenses for Nearsightedness

Contact lenses come in different shapes and sizes. Standard contacts have a spherical surface. Think of a slice of the side of a beach ball. These lenses replicate the spherical surface of the eye. They’re ideal for correcting both nearsightedness and farsightedness (hyperopia).

Unlike toric and multifocal lenses, spherical contacts only have one lens power throughout the lens to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. That being said, toric lenses, which are designed to correct astigmatism (an imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred vision), can also correct nearsightedness. That’s because they focus on different parts of the lens to correct the nearsightedness or farsightedness that often occurs alongside astigmatism. 

Likewise, multifocal lenses, which are used to correct presbyopia (the loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects), can also correct nearsightedness. Presbyopia occurs when the eye’s lens loses flexibility. Because this process normally occurs with age, presbyopia can complicate nearsightedness and other refractive errors. This is why multifocal lenses aren’t limited to correcting presbyopia alone.

Spherical, toric, and multifocal lenses are usually made of soft lens materials, such as hydrogels and silicone hydrogels. These materials allow plenty of oxygen to pass through the lens and into the cornea, which needs oxygen to stay clear and healthy. They also conform to the shape of the eye, which is why soft contact lenses are exceptionally comfortable.

There are also contact lenses for nearsightedness that are made of both soft and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) materials. Known as hybrid contact lenses, these lenses have an RGP center surrounded by a soft outer ring. They can correct nearsightedness and other refractive errors, including farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. 

Moreover, contact lenses for nearsightedness come in different modalities. For example, there are daily disposable contact lenses for nearsightedness, which are meant to be discarded after one day of wear. There are also bi-weekly and monthly ones, which should be discarded after two weeks and 30 days, respectively. Bi-weekly and monthly contact lenses can be worn daily for the full two-week or 30-day period or continuously for a certain amount of time, after which they should be discarded and replaced with a fresh pair of contacts.

Popular Contact Lenses for Nearsightedness

There are many contact lenses for nearsightedness available on the market today. Johnson & Johnson, for example, has 1-Day Acuvue Moist and 1-Day Acuvue TruEye. From the names themselves, both contacts are daily disposable contacts, meaning they should only be worn for one day. Both contacts also provide protection against the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.

Bausch + Lomb, a trusted name in eye care products, carries ULTRA, Biotrue ONEday, and SofLens Daily Disposable. Of the three, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contacts are the best choice for nearsighted individuals who can stick to a lens care routine. Biotrue ONEday and SofLens Daily Disposable are better for those with busy schedules or active lifestyles who may not enjoy the hassle of a lens care routine. They’re also great choices for first-time lens wearers looking for long-lasting comfort in a daily disposable lens.

Other popular brands of contact lenses for nearsightedness include Alcon’s Dailies Total1® and Air Optix® AQUA, as well as CooperVision’s Biofinity® and Proclear® 1-Day.

Schedule a visit with your ECP to discuss your options.

How Much Are Contact Lenses for Nearsightedness?

Soft spherical contact lenses can cost anywhere from $30 to $75 per box of six lenses. If you replace your contacts every two weeks, expect an annual lens cost of $300 to $750.

Hybrid contacts for nearsightedness cost more than soft ones since they’re a special type of contact lens. On average, be prepared to spend $300 to $500 every six to 12 months without insurance. The final cost will depend on your ECP, the contact lens brand, the comprehensive eye exam fee, and how many follow-up visits to your ECP are required.

How to Insert and Remove Contact Lenses for Nearsightedness

Whether you’re using soft contact lenses for nearsightedness or hybrid contact lenses, the process of inserting them is the same. Before you begin, wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and dry them with a lint-free towel. Scoop your first lens out of the case with the index finger of your dominant hand. Rinse it with a multipurpose cleaning solution. Check that the lens isn't inside out and inspect it for any tears or debris. Using the middle finger of your dominant hand, pull down your lower eyelid. Stare straight ahead and gently place the lens on your eye. Blink a few times to center the lens. Repeat with the other lens.

To remove soft or hybrid contacts, hold your eyelids open and gently pinch the lens between your index finger and thumb. Carefully lift the lens off of your eye. Repeat with the other lens.

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