Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient, and with the latest advancements in technology, they are extremely comfortable.  Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, or cornea, to correct vision.

We are happy to discuss the options available for you. Many patients choose contact lenses for their primary vision correction and glasses for an alternative or part-time wear. There are also patients who mainly wear glasses but have activities or events where contact lenses would be more convenient.

Contact Lens Types

There are contact lenses available for almost everyone. New contacts are being introduced every year, meaning many patients who have been unsuccessful in wearing contacts in the past find success with the introduction of new lenses.  You owe it to yourself to see what is new. We carry many options, and promise to do our best in selecting contact lenses that best suit your lifestyle.

Disposable Soft Lenses
Disposable soft lenses are worn for a specified period of time and then disposed.  The most well-known disposables last for one month. There are also weekly, bi-weekly and one-day disposables. These are perfect for many patients who were told they could not wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens are extremely convenient and reduce the risk of contact lens related eye infections making them ideal for teenagers, college students and any busy adult.

Soft Colored Contact Lenses
With tinted soft lenses, you can change or enhance your eye color. Even if you do not need corrective lenses, you can use “plano” colored contacts to change your eye color.  It is important to be fit by an eye doctor for colored contact lenses.

Bifocal Soft Lenses
Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses to a new and improved multifocal lens. These contact lenses function similar to progressive or no-line bifocals by providing a large range of vision from distance to near. Now, patients past their 40s who need bifocals can enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses.

Toric Soft Lenses
Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, the only options for those with astigmatism were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. But toric lenses, which are lenses with a special design, now offer an alternative. There are several types of toric lenses to choose from with a design to suit most lifestyles including disposables.

Extended Wear Soft Lenses
Extended wear lenses, the result of advanced technology in lens materials, transmit more oxygen to the cornea of the eye. Some of these lens materials are approved for up to 30 days of continuous wear. Extended wear lenses can last one week, two weeks, or one month, depending upon the lens material and your doctor’s recommendations.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you’ve been told you cannot wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder. RGP lenses are also effective in managing eyes with diseases such as Keratoconus as well as irregular shaped corneas due to injuries or surgeries.

Solutions
There are a variety of solutions available from many different manufacturers. The important thing to remember is that not every solution is right for every type of contact lens. Some contact lenses require the use of multipurpose solutions, while others require separate solutions for the four steps in contact lens care: disinfecting, cleaning, rinsing, and storing. Use only the lens solutions that are recommended by the eye doctor. If you wish to change brands, check with our office first.

Contact Lens Instructions

Few things affect the quality of your life more than your eyes--never put them at risk. Contact lenses are prescription medical devices. To make sure your eyes and vision stay healthy while wearing contact lenses, please follow these few guidelines or the instructions recommended by your doctor.

Ocular complications and/or long-term corneal damage are the consequences of contact lenses that are worn longer than recommended. Oftentimes, your lenses will still feel good even when you are over-wearing them. Do not wear your lenses overnight unless they are approved for extended wear and your doctor has discussed this with you. Overnight wear increases the risk of infection and other complications

Wearing Schedule
It will take at least a few days for your eyes to get used to wearing contact lenses. The best way to insure maximum visual comfort and maintain healthy eyes is to faithfully adhere to this wearing schedule.

Day	Gas Permeable Lenses	Soft Lenses
1	4 hours	6 hours
2	6 hours	8 hours
3	8 hours	10 hours
4	10 hours	12 hours
5	12 hours	12 hours

 

DON’T wear your lenses longer than 12 hours a day until your first follow-up visit with your doctor, unless the doctor has specifically told you otherwise.

DON'T wear your lenses overnight unless they are approved for extended wear and your doctor has discussed this with you. Overnight wear increases the risk of infection and other complications.

DON’T continue use of contact lenses if your eyes become red, irritated, painful, or if your vision gets worse while wearing lenses. Immediately take out the lenses and clean them. Let your eyes get back to normal and if the problem persists, contact our office.

DON’T exceed the wearing times suggested, even if your lenses still feel comfortable. Studies have proven that the eye needs time to adapt to contact lenses, and your wearing schedule is based on those studies.

DO always remove your contact lenses at least one hour before going to bed to allow for proper oxygen nourishment to the cornea.

DO schedule and keep follow-up appointments with your eye doctor.

DO wear your contact lenses for at least 3 hours the day of your follow-up appointment unless you are experiencing discomfort.

Caring For Your Contacts

Deposits and infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses--etc., can build up on the surface of all contact lenses. For this reason, it is very important to keep them clean and disinfected.

There are four steps in contact lens care--follow the care prescribed for your lenses:

1. Cleaning removes dirt, mucous, and other debris that gets on the lenses during wear.
2. Disinfecting kills bacteria on the lenses. Disinfecting is essential to prevent serious eye infections.
3. Rinsing removes the other solutions from the lenses and prepares the lenses for wear.
4. Storing the lenses in an approved solution recommended by your doctor.

The best way to properly care for your lenses is to develop a care routine, then stick to that routine! Remember to:

1. Follow the directions outlined by your eye doctor. Oftentimes instructions are also listed on the packaging or the package insert for the contact lens solutions prescribed for you.
2. Multi-purpose solutions can be used for more than one step in contact lens care. Read the label to see which functions the solutions can be used for.
3. Many solutions can not be used together, and not all solutions are appropriate for all types of lenses. Only use solutions recommended by your eye doctor, and check with your eye doctor if you want to switch brands.
4. When you remove your lenses, they must be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected before they are inserted again.  
5. Lenses that have been stored for more than 3 days may need to be cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed again.
6. Make sure solution containers are kept closed tightly, stored upright, and kept in a clean, dry, cool place when you are not using them. Keep your case clean and replace it every 2-3 months to prevent bacterial growth.
7. Don’t touch container bottle tips to any surface to prevent them from becoming contaminated.
8. Throw away expired solutions. (Look on the bottle for the expiration date!) A single contact lens wearer who wears contacts most days should be using about 8 bottles (12 fl oz) a year of multi purpose solution to clean and store soft contacts. If your using substantially less than this, it is likely you are not adequately cleaning your contact lenses.
9. Use new solution in your contact lenses case every day.
10. Discuss with your eye doctor the care for your lenses if you wear them while swimming in a pool, lake,  or hot tub.
11. Only use approved rewetting drops for lubricating or wetting your lenses. Never place the lenses in your mouth.
12. Do not use tap water to rinse soft contact lenses.
13. Be careful with makeup, lotions, creams and sprays--consider putting on lenses before makeup and remove them before removing makeup. Also, water-based makeup  is less likely to damage lenses than oil-based makeup.

Here’s what you need to watch for: Redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity. Remove your lenses if you are experiencing any of these 3 things. If your eyes have not returned to normal after 24 hours, please contact our office.  If you have any change in vision, comfort, or irritation, immediately remove your lenses. If there is no improvement within a couple of hours, please contact our office.