Contact Lens FAQs

Content Lens FAQs

  1. What types of contact lenses are available?
  2. Do contact lenses hurt?
  3. I have astigmatism. Can I wear soft contact lenses?
  4. I need glasses for reading only. Are there contact lenses that would help me?
  5. I have had difficulty with wearing contacts in the past due to dryness, are there new lenses available now that I may be able to wear?
  6. Is it okay to sleep in my contacts?
  7. Do I need to replace my contacts on a routine schedule even if they feel fine?
  8. Why do I need a pair of glasses if I wear my contacts “all the time”?
  9. Why must I have an exam every year to renew my contact lens prescription?
  10. My child wants contacts, is she/he old enough?

Question: What types of contact lenses are available?

Answer:

We have all major brand of contact lenses and have availability to order most other brands. We offer this wide variety of contacts to fit every age group and lifestyle.

Question: Do contact lenses hurt?

Answer:

Contacts that fit properly should not hurt. If your contacts make your eyes red or irritated, you should remove them immediately and contact your eye physician.

Question: I have astigmatism. Can I wear soft contact lenses?

Answer:

There are a variety of TORIC lenses that address astigmatism in soft contact lenses. If you have a large amount of astigmatism, the best clarity may be in more rigid lenses.

Question: I need glasses for reading only. Are there contact lenses that would help me?

Answer:

There are multifocal lenses that focus at distance and near that you may be able to be fit with. Also, “monovision” where one eye is focused for near and the other eye is focused for distance, may address this problem. It is important to remember, however, once there is presbyopia and your natural lenses are unable to focus at near, there will always be some compromise.

Question: I have had difficulty with wearing contacts in the past due to dryness, are there new lenses available now that I may be able to wear?

Answer:

There are a variety of contacts available now that have increased water content and increased oxygen permeability. Despite changing to “dry eye” lenses some people are still symptomatic. Please discuss this concern with your physician. Read more about dry eyes…

Question: Is it okay to sleep in my contacts?

Answer:

No, never. This incidence of infection and inflammation increases with sleeping in contact lenses.

Question: Do I need to replace my contacts on a routine schedule even if they feel fine?

Answer:

Yes. Contacts get a protein build up that causes inflammation on the lid surface if they are not cleaned nightly and changed as scheduled. Many times the contact lens user is unaware of the inflammation until it gets to be severe. Once the inflammation develops, it can be resistant to resolution requiring the patient to stay out of contacts for months.

Question: Why do I need a pair of glasses if I wear my contacts “all the time”?

Answer:

We recommend that you remove your contacts at least one hour before bedtime. We encourage a pair of updated glasses for those days when your contacts don’t feel perfect. If there is no “back up” people tend to over wear there contacts and place their eyes at risk for infection and inflammation.

Question: Why must I have an exam every year to renew my contact lens prescription?

Answer:

State law requires a new prescription be issued every year. This also gives your ophthalmologist the opportunity to look for any signs of inflammation or irritation which can damage the ocular surface.

Question: My child wants contacts, is she/he old enough?

Answer:

Our general guidelines for fitting contacts is that boys over the age of 12 may be fit and girls over the age of eleven. This number may or may not be correct for your child, it all depends on their maturity and hygiene. Please discuss your concerns with their doctor. We prefer children in glasses for ocular protection and to decrease chances of infection.

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