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Contact Lens Materials

Up until the late 1970s, contact lenses were made from two materials. Hard contact lenses were made of polymethymethacrylate (PMMA), while the soft contact lenses were made of a hydrated polymer, hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), which contained 37.8% water by weight. These lenses provided clear vision and comfort, but there was a problem. These lenses did not allow oxygen to reach the cornea. Because of this, the cornea could change, adversely, in some contact lens wearers.

PMMA is now obsolete, and is replaced with rigid plastics, mostly hydrophobic materials with high oxygen permeability. These lenses are called Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses. For the manufacture of soft lenses, HEMA is being replaced by polymers which contain as much as 80% water. These soft lenses, often called hydrogels because of the amount of water have high oxygen transfer while retaining shape despite high water content. These new materials used in the manufacture of contact lenses as well as thinner lenses and greater oxygen transfer has reduced corneal issues, but there are still other possible complications.

The new materials have also been instrumental in the creation of disposable  contact lenses in a variety of types. Disposable contact lenses come in monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, and even daily disposable types. The thinner materials make wearing these contact lenses more comfortable, and the cost of contact lenses has been reduced. This allows for close to maintenance free contact lens wear.


1800Color is a contact lens replacement center. We can only sell you contact lenses that have been prescribed by your eye care practitioner within the last year, and with which you are wearing successfully. By continuing with the order you confirm that you are successfully wearing the selected lenses for which you have a valid prescription.
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