Your eyeglass prescription contains only part of the information that we need in order to fit you for contact lenses. Since the contacts are worn on the eye, we must measure the curvature and width of the cornea (the clear window over the colored portion of your eye). We also need to make a calculation of how much power to add or subtract for moving the corrective contact closer to your eyes. We also need to determine on how to manage any astigmatism that you might have. Often, after the contact lenses have been worn for a week or so, we have to fine-tune the power or modify the curvature in order to achieve the best vision and fit.

Absolutely NOT! Just as there is a “dead-end” when you pull your lower lid down, there is one under your upper lid, and the contact cannot go any further than that.

No! A properly fit lens should not be uncomfortable. After a few days, most soft lens wearers forget that there are contacts in their eyes. Gas permeable rigid lenses may take three or four weeks to get used to. You may become slightly “aware” of soft lenses if they get too dry. Greater discomfort may mean that the lens is damaged. Inspect it carefully and do not wear it if it has even a tiny crack or edge defect!

Most contact lenses are far more durable than they feel. Occasionally new wearers will tear a lens, due to mishandling.

Don’t try to peel the edges apart. Pour solution into the palm of your hand and try to massage the edges apart or soak them overnight in solution and try again the next morning. Putting saline or rewetting drops in your eyes before removing your contacts will help to prevent this problem, and not pinching the edges together too hard during removal helps too.

The lens may move around a lot, since the curvature doesn’t match up with your eye when the lens is inside-out, or the lower edge may try to curl outward. Sometimes the eye just feels a little watery. You will not hurt your eye by wearing a lens inside-out. Remove the lens, rinse, and look to see if the edges curve up. Adjust as necessary and re-insert. Make sure you are taught how to tell if a lens is inside-out during your contact lens training session.

A contact lens is a medical device that is worn on the eye and has the potential to cause problems that can affect not only your vision, but the long-term health of the eye. An annual exam, including thorough observation of the eye with the microscope, will often detect little problems before you become aware of them or they become serious. It’s the same as regular dental check-ups that detect small cavities before they cause major problems. Unfortunately, many insurance plans do not cover all visits. Every other year the contact visit is a limited fee.

Don’t panic. If you wear disposable lenses, simply open a new one. If you are wearing a non-disposable lens, call the office and tell us which lens you need to replace. We can order it and even arrange to mail it to you for a small charge. Overnight delivery can also be arranged. We strongly advise that you keep a pair of back-up glasses in your current prescription and a spare pair of contacts for emergencies.

Each contact has a unique patented design and may fit differently from the lenses that you have been wearing. The curvature, diameter, thickness, water content, and bevels may be significantly different on the new type of lens that you want and it is important to make sure that it will fit appropriately and not cause any problems.

Although some contact lenses are approved for up to six consecutive nights of overnight wear, the eye becomes susceptible to a number of problems due to lack of oxygen. There is a significantly higher rate of infection, corneal swelling and fluid retention, under-the-lid inflammation, increases in nearsightedness, and long-term changed in the inner layers of the cornea that could cause serious problems later in life. Unless you have a specific medical condition that requires extended wear, we feel that the risks far outweigh the benefits.

Each person has a different degree of tolerance. Some have allergies or dry eyes that limit wear time. A good rule-of-thumb is to try to remove your contacts one to two hours before going to bed at night. Give your eyes “time off” when it’s convenient – give your eyes a “breather”. Wearing contacts is like pulling the covers up over your head. You can still breathe, but not quite as well.

Use only lubricating or rewetting drops that are specifically formulated for contact lens wearers. Soft lens wearers should make sure that they are not using drops designed for rigid gas permeable lens wearers. It is also fine to put sterile saline in your eyes to rewet your contacts. Putting drops or saline in your eyes before removing your contacts will soften them and prevent them from cracking as you pinch them out. Never use Visine or any other drops that “get the red out!”

Each solution has a different combination of chemicals to disinfect the lenses. Using a product that has not been recommended by the doctor may cause damage to your lenses or your eyes. Some products contain preservatives that have been known to cause red eyes and allergic reactions; others may cloud or discolor your lenses.

Contact lenses should never be worn when swimming. Besides the possibility of loss, we are very concerned with a dangerous parasite that lives in water & can cause serious damage to the eyes. Contact lenses shouldn’t be worn if you have pain, redness, discharge, or unusual sensitivity to light. WHEN IN DOUBT – TAKE IT OUT! Lenses should not be worn in chemistry labs or in areas where there are dangerous fumes, as soft lenses can absorb chemical vapors and hold them against the eyes. Lenses should not be worn during illness.