Contact Lens Exams

---

Want to get rid of your glasses? Try contacts! 

Why wear contacts? Contact lenses are available for virtually all prescription types, including astigmatism and multifocals. Contacts have some distinct advantages over glasses. Peripheral vision is increased with contacts compared to glasses, which is important in such activities as driving a car or playing sports. Also, contacts will not fog up or slide down your nose when you sweat.

If you are interested in contacts, our optometrist will discuss the risk/benefits of contact lenses and determine if you are a good candidate. Our doctors work hard to ensure that a comfortable brand and curvature of soft contact lens is selected for each patient and that vision is optimized.

Types of Contact Lenses

• Daily Disposable lenses – these contacts are a healthy and convenient option because there is no maintenance involved! Since you wear them once and you throw them away, there's no risk of building up deposits or bacteria. Most people believe that they cost much more than other lens types, but that is usually not the case. Purchasing a year supply of dailies usually entitles you to large manufacturer's rebates, plus there's no need to purchase contact lens solutions or cases.
• Silicone Hydrogel lenses – these lenses are (1-month or 2-week) disposables and are made up of a highly breathable material allowing more oxygen to get to the eye. These lenses help prevent the eyes from feeling dry and the chance for infections is reduced compared to the lenses made of conventional (HEMA) materials. The risks of corneal neovascularization (blood vessels growing into the cornea) is much reduced with silicone hydrogels because the cornea is not deprived of oxygen during contact lens wear.
• Colored Contacts – whether you want to change the color of your eyes completely, or just highlight your true eye color, these lenses can do the trick. You can use them on a daily basis, or just when you want to have some fun. 
• Toric lenses (for astigmatism) – there are many different contacts available that can correct small and large amounts of astigmatism. Silicone hydrogel lenses are available in most toric prescriptions to help increase comfort and ocular health.
• Multifocal lenses – this type of lens works differently than bifocal or progressive glasses. It uses a simultaneous vision design so that you can see both distance and near without having to move your eyes up or down. While these lenses take some getting used to, they are a very popular choice to reduce dependency on reading glasses.

Important Information About Contact Lenses

When contacts are worn and cleaned as instructed by your doctor, the risks to your eye health and vision are low, but not zero. Keep in mind that eye infections can occur in even the healthiest of eyes, and wearing contact lenses increases those chances. This is why it is imperative to have a pair of glasses in your current prescription to wear when you are unable to use your contacts.

See this from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/pdf/8-5x11-contact-lenses-underwear.pdf

Contact Lens Examination

A contact lens exam is done only after your annual eye health exam with refraction. The doctor will select the proper contact lens to fit your lifestyle, and then check your vision and the fit of the lenses in order to ensure minimal risk of complications. In most cases, diagnostic (or trial) lenses are used at the first visit so that you may test the contacts before purchasing a supply.

Patients that are new to contact lenses are educated on proper contact lens care & hygiene as well as trained on safe contact lens insertion & removal. We allow a longer appointment time for these exams and a follow-up is necessary.

Frequently, a contact lens follow-up appointment is necessary in order to finalize your prescription. At your follow-up visit, the contacts will be re-evaluated to ensure that your vision is acceptable and the lenses are clean. If you, or the doctor, notice any problems, an adjustment will be made at that time. If all is well, your contact lens prescription will be issued at check-out. Contact lens prescriptions expire 1 to 2 years from the exam date, at the doctor's discretion.