Soft and hard contact lenses

What is the difference between soft and hard (rigid) contact lenses? Monthly or annual lenses? Anyone opting for contact lenses is spoilt for choice. Generally, there are two types of contact lens: soft and hard lenses. Both of course have their advantages and special features. Which is best for you is determined during an individual check.

What are hard contact lenses?

Hard contact lenses are made individually, are especially suitable for wearing over long periods and the eyes are thus perfectly supplied. Their useful life is at least a year. The familiarisation period for rigid contact lenses is somewhat longer than for soft lenses.

What are soft contact lenses?

Soft contact lenses take up more space on the eye and are covered by the sensitive eyelids. Under large lenses, the eye however ‘breathes’ less well. With regards daily wear time, soft lenses therefore represent a compromise.

Soft contact lenses are differentiated according to duration of use:

  • Annual lenses
  • 6-month lenses
  • 3-month lenses
  • Monthly lenses
  • 14-day lenses
  • Daily lenses

The comparison of hard and soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses

  • Suitable for spontaneous use and can therefore be easily exchanged for glasses
  • Ideal for dynamic sports in addition to glasses
  • Generally very quick to apply and suitable for spontaneous use
  • Only custom-made lenses increase long-term compatibility
  • Good in dusty conditions

Hard contact lenses

  • Longer useful life and increased long-term compatibility
  • Ongoing optical properties. Low deposit tendency and microbial contamination
  • Long useful life and therefore more cost-effective compared to soft contact lenses
  • Occasionally a long familiarisation period with foreign-body sensation
  • Good eye climate due to constant washing by tears

Flyer contact lenses

Do you want soft or hard lenses?