Contact lenses are medical devices that are placed onto the surface of the eye to correct your vision or in some cases change the color of your eyes. If this is your first time wearing contact lenses or you are an experienced wearer we make sure every lens fits perfectly. After you are successfully fit with contact lenses you are shown how to appropriately wear and care for your lenses, and we follow you throughout the year to make sure that your contact lenses continue to fit well and are comfortable. Some of the greatest strides have come in the area of bifocal contact lenses, 30 day extended wear, lenses for dry eyes, toric lenses or lenses for astigmatism, an cosmetic or colored lenses.
Our doctors are experienced in fitting difficult to fit and custom design contact lenses for patients with keratoconus and other corneal disorders. Our staff is able to answer many of your questions and are available for ongoing contact lens instruction and training.
The vast majority of people requiring vision correction can wear contact lenses without any problems. New materials and lens technologies have made today's contacts more comfortable, safer and easier to wear. Consider the questions and answers below and visit the linked pages for more information on your contact lens questions.
Contact Lenses - Are they right for you?
New materials and lens care technologies have made today's contacts more comfortable, safer and easier to wear. Consider the questions and answers on the following page to see if contact lenses are right for you.
Contact lenses aren't just for seeing better. They're for looking better too. In fact, some people who don't even need a vision correction wear tinted contact lenses as a way to change their eye color.
When you are fitted for contact lenses a particular lens care solution is recommended - a group of products to clean, disinfect and keep your lenses safe and comfortable for wear.
As baby boomers reach middle age, the question looms large: How to avoid either of two telltale signs of aging - bifocals or reading glasses?
We will talk to you about your general health, and about your eyes, then discuss your goals for wearing contact lenses: To see better close up? See better far away? Change the color of your eyes? Based on your answers, our doctors will work closely with you to carefully tailor a set of contact lenses to meet your unique needs. Each time you return to our office, the doctors and staff thoroughly fine-tune your prescription to ensure it is working optimally for your changing needs.
The actual eye exam is the same for contact lenses as it is for glasses. It consists of a series of tests to determine your eye health and your current vision. The doctor will test your eyes for a number of different things including general vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, muscle coordination and range, eye pressure and so on. At the end of this exam, the doctor can write a prescription for glasses - but more must be done before getting contact lenses.
Eyes come in many sizes and shapes, so you need to have an accurate "fitting" to make sure your lenses will fit your eyes properly. To do this, your optometrist will take special measurements of your eye and its surface, checking for curvature and other factors that will affect how your lenses fit. You may be asked if your eyes tend to be dry (this is very important in determining which type of contact lenses is best for you - there are special lenses for people who experience eye dryness). Finally, the front of your eyes will be carefully examined to make sure there aren't any problems that could make it hard for you to wear contact lenses.
Next, trial lenses will be applied to your eyes so your optometrist can see how well they fit. It takes time for lenses to "settle" on your eyes, so you may have to wait 10 or 15 minutes after the lens has been inserted before the doctor checks the fit. You may need to try on more than one pair before you and your doctor are satisfied that your lenses fit, feel comfortable and give you good vision. Then, you'll be ready to learn how to take care of them.
Learning to apply (and remove) your lenses is very easy. Most people get the hang of it right away, and even the most nervous patient can expect to have mastered it within a week. One of our friendly contact lens technicians will teach you how to handle and care for your lenses. If desired, you may receive written instructions to refer to - and you should always call our office if you have any questions.
Often, our office will have your contact lenses in stock and you'll be able to take them home the same day. If your lenses need to be ordered, you'll usually get them within a few days.
Your contact lens fitting is not complete until you return for follow-up visits (sometimes for up to 3 months) so your optometrist can make sure your eyes are responding properly to the contact lenses, that you're seeing well and that your lenses are comfortable. Then your doctor can provide you with a contact lens prescription. Thereafter, plan to have your eyes and contact lenses examined at least once per year. If you notice any changes in your vision or eyes, you should call our office right away.