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Contact lenses: What to know before you buy

Hard contact lenses

Rigid, gas-permeable lenses, or hard contact lenses, provide clear, crisp vision for most vision problems. Hard contact lenses might be especially appealing if you've tried soft contact lenses and been unsatisfied with the results or if you have "dry eyes."

Hard contact lenses are often more breathable than are soft contact lenses, which reduces the risk of eye infections. Most hard contact lenses must be removed for cleaning and disinfection at night, but some can be worn for a week or even 30 days.

It might take anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks to adjust to hard contact lenses. However, if your prescription doesn't change and you take care of your hard contact lenses, you can use the same pair of lenses for up to two to three years.

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