A contact lens adjusts the way your eye processes light. It focuses rays of light from near and far onto the retina in one spot to improve your vision.

Contact lenses are thin discs of plastic that sit directly on the cornea. They come in hard and soft varieties. You can get daily disposable lenses that are thrown away or long-term lenses you wear and clean on a schedule prescribed by your eye doctor.

Comfort

Contact lenses are thin and curved medical devices that cover the surface of your eye. They are usually made of a material like polymer, but can also be made of rigid or soft materials. Often, they have additional features such as UV protection or moisturizing properties.

Manufacturers keep comfort in mind when designing and making their lenses. They know that a comfortable lens will be worn more often and with less irritation than a discomforting one.

For example, OASYS MAX 1-Day daily disposables offer moisture-particle technology and blink-activated technology to continuously add moisture and reduce dryness. They have a low evaporation rate and Class 1 UV protection, providing the best overall quality of vision and comfort in the industry.

Always wash your hands before touching your contacts, and remove them before showering or swimming (unless advised otherwise by your optometrist). Also, don't sleep in them – sleeping in contacts can cut off oxygen to the cornea, which may lead to severe inflammation and potentially permanent damage.

Durability

The lifespan of a contact lens can vary significantly depending on the material, wear schedule and maintenance habits. Contact lenses should always be worn as directed by your optometrist to reduce the risk of eye health issues and discomfort. Old or dirty lenses can accumulate harmful deposits and cause abrasions or infections that may require professional care.

Some lenses are designed to be used once and discarded, like daily disposables or monthly disposables. Other types can be worn continuously, including overnight, for up to 30 days as recommended by your optometrist, for instance extended-wear lenses.

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) and scleral lenses are made of more durable materials that can withstand higher levels of wear and tear, and resist deposits better than soft lenses. These lenses are typically custom-made and can last for several years, if not longer, when properly maintained.

Disposability

While large pieces of plastic pollution in the ocean are a serious concern, so too are the itty-bitty items millions of people use and throw away each day. These include contact lenses. When a contact lens is improperly discarded, like flushed down the toilet or put into the sink drain, it breaks down into microplastics that can enter our waterways and get ingested by bottom feeding aquatic life and even make their way into human food supplies.

Putting a used contact lens into standard recycling bins keeps it out of landfills, but that doesn’t address the issue of environmental impact. The good news is that many of the leading contact lens manufacturers have partnered with companies like TerraCycle to create programs that recycle daily disposable lenses and their packaging.

The Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE program, for example, accepts all brands of daily contact lenses and their opened blister packs and top foils. Patients can drop off their empty boxes at approved eye doctor offices or print a free shipping label and mail their used contact lenses and packaging directly to the company.

Maintenance

Regardless of what type of contact lens you wear, good hygiene is important. Always wash and rinse your hands with a mild soap without perfumes or lotions before handling your contacts. Germs can transfer to the eyes from dirty hands, causing eye infections.

Rinse each contact with the disinfecting solution or multi-purpose solution recommended by your eye care professional. Do not use water or saliva to 'rinse' your contact lenses - even distilled water is home to microorganisms that can cause eye infections!

Whenever possible, remove your contacts while you're asleep, and follow the schedule your eye care professional recommends. You'll also need to keep a supply of rewetting drops or another lubricant on hand to help keep your eyes moist and comfortable. And remember to replace your storage case regularly, ideally every three months. If you're having any trouble with your contact lenses, talk to your eye care provider about it right away. They'll get you the answers you need to enjoy your contacts to the fullest!