Made of a gel-like plastic, soft lenses are easy to tear. And protein deposit buildup clouds the lenses over time. Their smooth finish and lack of water retention mean they harbor fewer protein deposits from your tear film. This is healthier and more comfortable for your eyes. Since soft lenses absorb more of your tears, they are more likely to contain protein deposits from your tears and harbor bacteria.
More deposits are scratchy, too.
As you can see, initial comfort is the only area where soft lenses excel over oxygen permeable contacts. Once you get used to them, oxygen permeables are comfortable, more durable, easier and less expensive to care for, healthier, and provide crisper vision. By investing a little time and effort in adapting to your oxygen permeables, you'll be rewarded with a lifetime of healthy and hassle-free contact lens wear. Read what wearers of oxygen permeables have to say about their lenses. Home Copyright 2000-01 Contact Lens Manufacturers Association.