Contact lenses are an incredibly intricate and unique invention, with the ability to improve vision and make a huge difference in people’s lives. They work by correcting refractive errors, allowing light to focus accurately on the retina, so it can be interpreted properly by the eye.
The process of making contact lenses is complicated and time-consuming, but incredibly important. It begins with using a device called a keratometer to measure the curvature of the cornea. Then, technicians use data from this measurement to create custom lenses that fit perfectly onto each individual’s eye. A special type of lens – known as a rigid gas-permeable (RGP) – is then cut into shape and coated with a layer of plastic for comfort.
The RGP is then treated with specialized dyes to create various colors and tints which can help reduce glare from computer screens or decrease sensitivity to light. For those requiring bifocal lenses, these will be custom-made too in order to provide clear vision at both near and far distances.
It is amazing how far contact lens technology has come in the past few decades; however, it’s even more incredible when you understand exactly how these tiny devices work inside our eyes. To learn more about this subject and all its intricacies, we recommend watching ‘How It Works – Contact Lenses’ – an eye-opening documentary that takes viewers through each step of the contact lens manufacturing process while informing them about its potential health benefits.
