The skilled specialists of the Latvian American Eye Center can provide expert advice adjusted to suit the individual medical and cosmetic needs of each patient.

Patients are also shown how to use, clean and look after their lens.

We provide a full and specialized service.

There are several reasons why choosing contact lenses instead of eyeglasses. They do not get steamed and no rain drops or snow do not remain on them; more suitable for sports and physical activities; not change the wearer’s visual image (except coloured contact lenses; provides better and more realistic view, since they do not limit the field of vision, greatly reduce image distortion and do not change the size of image (especially at high strengths). However, it should be remembered that the finding of right contact lenses takes longer time comparing with eyeglasses and requires regular visits to an eye doctor or optometrist to assess eye health. Also, caring for contact lenses takes more time. If you want to wear contact lenses successfully, they shall be properly cleaned and stored, wearing times shall be followed and regular eye health checks shall be passed.

Knowing what contact lenses are right for you means understanding the difference between existing lens types.

Soft contact lenses are the most popular types of contact lenses that can be divided into hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses. Hydrogel lenses are of older generation and do not provide good oxygen supply to the corneas as silicone hydrogel lenses/ But this does not mean that the hydrogel lenses should be forgotten, they, for example, are well suited for short-term use (e.g., sports activities 2 hours a day).

For lot of people the rigid lenses associate with old times, but that is not a case. In certain circumstances rigid contact lenses offer much better vision quality than soft lenses (for example, at corneal astigmatism, severe ametropias and in the case of keratoconus), and the lens material of the latest generation provides more comfort compared to the previous one.

When comparing these types of lenses, the advantages of soft lenses include better initial comfort, which means shorter adaptation period for new users. They are ideally suited for occasional use, less likely that they will fall out of the eye, hence more suitable for contact sports. They tend to adhere to the surface of the eye, thus providing less chance for a foreign body to get under the lens (fewer problems with getting dust or dirt under the lens). However, soft contact lenses are less durable than rigid lenses. During the day, they can dry out, causing discomfort and impairing the quality of vision. They are more susceptible to protein and lipid deposits, they absorb environmental chemicals that can cause inflammation, and when using soft lenses there is a higher risk of infection.

The advantages of rigid contact lenses include better oxygen permeability due to the high gas permeability of the material, the smaller diameter of the lens and the greater lens movement on the eye, as by twinkling the eyes more tears get under the lens (soft lenses are very slow-moving and tears almost do not get under the lens). Likewise, rigid lenses provide a sharper vision, because they are made customized according to corneal topography, and other data, and the lenses maintain the shape on the eye regardless of external conditions (for example, soft lenses can change shape and impair the quality of vision when the eye becomes dryer). Rigid lenses also better correct severe ametropias, astigmatism and keratoconus, they can be used for a longer period and they are also durable. As regards disadvantages of these lenses, it should be mentioned that the adaptation is longer; they shall be worn on a daily basis to adapt more easily. It is more likely that the lenses can fall out during contact sports or rubbing the eyes. Sand and dust may get under the lens as it is not as close to the eye as a soft contact lens. They are also more cost expensive when lost.

To find the most appropriate type of contact lenses for your eyes and desires, the thorough examination of vision and eye health is required at an eye doctor or optometrist.