Contact Lens Department

Contact lens fitting and evaluation

Our specialist will use their expertise in combination with your eye physician to prescribe the best-fitting contact lens to meet your needs.  There is a contact lens dispensing and a fitting fee which will be determined after assessing your contact lens fit and the type of lens you will require.  This fee covers the diagnostic lenses needed and any visits necessary to evaluate the vision and fit of the lenses for three months following your exam.  As with all cases you, your doctor, and we will work together to determine which is the best type of lens for your eyes.

Soft contact lenses

They are made from Silicon Hydrogel materials which retain moisture and allow more oxygen to the cornea than lenses of the past.  Some are meant to be replaced daily while others are removed nightly and replaced on a two-week or monthly schedule depending on the specifications of the contact lens.  Extended-wear contact lenses are also available but are not necessarily appropriate for every patient.  We and your physician will counsel you on your options.  There are several different types of soft contacts that are available and are listed below:

Spherical

These lenses are corrected for distance vision only.

Toric

These lenses are made from the same materials as spherical lenses.  The difference is in the design of the lens.  Toric lenses have two powers:  one for astigmatism and the other for myopia or hyperopia.  There is a prism in the lens to help keep the lens relatively stable in your eye.  Years ago almost everyone with astigmatism was prescribed a gas-permeable lens.  Thanks to newer technology we now have more options.

Bifocal & Multi-focal

These lenses work in several different ways depending on the design of the lens.  Bifocal lenses have two powers correcting for distance and near vision.  Multi-focal lenses have more than two powers and are typically correct for distance, near, and mid-range vision.

Monovision

Using contact lenses, one eye (the dominant eye) is focused for distance vision, and the other (the non-dominant eye) is focused for reading vision.  This technique requires some getting used to and may not be well-tolerated by every patient.

Gas permeable lenses

Lens made from a special plastic that allows the transmission of oxygen.  Usually very durable and can provide the clearest vision in some cases.  Helpful for patients who have high levels of astigmatism or unusual corneal conditions that make fitting a soft lens difficult.

Keep in mind

Contact lens usage should fit comfortably and safely into one’s lifestyle.  Sometimes it can take multiple visits to properly adjust the fit and performance of the contact lens.  For patients experiencing the age-related loss of near focusing ability (called “presbyopia”), reading glasses may still be needed to read fine print up close.

*Contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Click Here for more information.