Permanent Wear Lenses (P.W.L) (also known as continuous wear or extended wear lenses)

The dream of wearing a lens day and night has now been finally realised. The blessing of the permanent wear lens is best appreciated by the high myope or the high hypermetrope who was totally dependent on spectacles or contact lenses. They can now have excellent vision at all times with the comfort and ease of soft lenses but without the bother of cleaning and sterilizing the lenses.

These lenses are also known as continuous wear or extended wear lenses, terms which more accurately reflect the true nature of the lens. They are, however, known popularly as "permanent wear lenses".

What are permanent wear lenses or P.W.L. ?

These are small ultra-soft contact lenses of a very high hydration level. These lenses are very permeable to oxygen and permit free passage of electrolytes. Since the eyes breathe freely, the lenses can be worn day and night without removing them from the eye.

What are permanent wear lenses made of?

They are made from a special polymer of plastic, resembling that used for soft lenses, which is synthetically modified by a special process to keep it at a high hydration level with a high oxygen permeability, thus permitting comfortable permanent wear.

Are permanent wear lenses visible when worn?

No. The lenses cannot be made out once they are on the eye. For all practical purposes they are invisible.

Can everyone wear permanent wear lenses?

Unfortunately not. The spectacle power of your eye should show astigmatism of ± 0.5 dioptres or less if excellent vision is to be attained.

Bianca Cohen

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