What are spherical contact lenses?
Contact lenses are a bit like shoes — you have to get ones that fit your shape if you want them to feel comfortable and work efficiently. While shoe sizes are incredibly straightforward to understand (your size 8 probably isn’t growing to a size 12 anytime soon), contact lenses are a bit more complicated.
Luckily, we’re here to clarify things, especially around sphere contacts. For example, did you know that there are three main types of contact lenses: toric lenses, multifocal lenses, and spherical lenses?
You’re probably here because you're interested in learning more about spherical lenses, so let’s jump right into the details.
Understanding spherical contact lenses
If you’ve recently been told you need to wear spherical contact lenses, know that you fit into the majority. You may also have been told you need to reduce your screen time or eat more leafy greens (i.e., you’re just like most people). A 2022 study of contact lens wearers found that 62% were wearing spherical lenses, 25% were wearing a multifocal lens, and 13% were wearing toric lenses.
Definition of spherical contacts
Spherical contact lenses are shaped specifically for treating nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and age-related farsightedness (presbyopia).
What does sphere mean for contacts?
So, what is sphere power for contacts? Your contact prescription will have many codes on it, including a sphere code (SPH). SPH stands for sphere and refers to the primary degree of power in the lens that corrects nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Instead of using SPH, some prescriptions use Power or PWR, both of which are the same as sphere. Because why shouldn’t you have three different possible codes on your prescription that all capture the same thing? Spin the wheel and see if you get SPH, PWR, or Power on your next prescription!
Popular spherical contact lenses on the market
There are many well-known brands that sell spherical contact lenses. Here are two of the most popular choices:
Proclear®
Proclear contacts use PC technology to attract water to the lens when it’s in your eye, keeping your eyes hydrated and reducing irritation.
Precision7™ sphere contacts
Precision7 Sphere Contacts are soft contact lenses stored in water before insertion to maximize hydration. These contacts can correct vision in people with myopia and hyperopia.
Choosing the right spherical contact lenses
After you realize that spherical contact lenses are right for you, there are a few more decisions to make. Until you dove into the contact lens world, you probably never thought you'd have to put this much time and effort into finding the right option. But it’s like determining your preferred genre of music. Once you figure out the basics, you know what you like, and the rest becomes easy.
Here are some key factors to consider when selecting contacts:
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Material: Your lens will likely be made of silicone hydrogels (a soft material) or plastic (a hard material). Soft lenses stay in your eye better and are more comfortable. However, some people need to wear hard lenses, as this material can correct more vision problems and last longer.
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Replacement schedule: You can buy contacts that last daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or even quarterly. Generally speaking, the shorter the replacement schedule, the more expensive the contacts. But using contacts for a shorter period comes with benefits like less risk of infection, eye dryness, and more.
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Manufacturer: You may try out different brands and find you prefer the feel and comfort of a specific manufacturer’s contacts.
Before you just try taking a wild guess at the perfect combination of contact lenses for you, consider speaking to the people who do this sort of thing for a living. An optometrist can talk to you about your vision needs and lifestyle and offer their professional recommendation.
Clear vision awaits
Spherical contact lenses are standard and work to fix many vision problems. But this is something you’re putting into your eyes, so make sure you pick the right lenses for you. Go with a trusted brand with a reputation for delivering quality products. Try brands like Proclear and Precision7 at 1-800 Contacts and use this coupon with your first order.
Don’t forget to schedule an eye exam to get an accurate prescription. Your eyes can’t do anything to change their shape, so buying lenses in the wrong prescription isn’t really something you can work around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between spherical and toric contact lenses?
Spherical contact lenses are named after the sphere shape of the lens and work for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and age-related farsightedness but don’t help with astigmatism.
Toric contact lenses are specifically shaped to help individuals with astigmatism.
How often should I replace my spherical contact lenses?
Generally speaking, you need to follow the recommended guidelines for the length of use of your spherical contact lenses. For example, you should never use daily contact lenses more than once.
What are the signs that my sphere power needs adjustment?
If your contact lenses are no longer working for you like they once did, you likely need an adjustment to your sphere power. Some of the warning signs that indicate you need an eye test and possibly a new prescription are worsening vision, blurry vision, and eye fatigue.