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Contact Lenses

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Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, called the cornea, to correct vision. There are a wide variety of contact lenses, and we have the expertise to fit you with a pair that provides maximum comfort and suit your lifestyle and eye health. Technology is always changing, and we are always at the forefront of the latest developments. Our focus expands beyond soft contact lenses into Rigid Gas Permeable (hard) contact lenses, bifocal contact lenses and specialty lenses for patients with conditions like keratoconus, or with corneal irregularities resulting from surgery or trauma.

We recommend finding a balance between contact lenses wear and eyeglasses to best meet your overall lifestyle needs and ensure maximum corneal health.

There are myriad types of contact lenses available, and many patients who have not been able to wear lenses successfully in the past now have options, including:

Ortho K

With orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K, you can wake up and see clearly. This FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure uses therapeutic contact lenses, which gently reshape the cornea overnight to correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, low levels of farsightedness and presbyopia. Unlike LASIK, the Ortho-K therapy can be adjusted as your prescription changes with time, allowing the therapy to continue to meet your ever changing visual needs from year to year. The procedure can be performed on both adults and young children. In fact, research shows that this therapy can decrease the progression of nearsightedness in young children if treated early. Imagine the freedom of not needing to wear glasses or contact lenses for day-to-day activities and sports.

The therapy uses small contact lenses that are customized to an individual’s corneal shape and glasses prescription. The lenses are easy to use and care for. They are simply inserted at bedtime and work to gently flatten the surface of the eye, called the cornea, overnight. With every night of wear patients can expect a gradual increase in the number of hours they have clear vision, from a few hours after the first night of therapy to clear vision all day long. Maximum effect is typically seen between two to four weeks of therapy, depending on the strength of the prescription and corneal rigidity of each individual. Once at optimal levels, a second pair of lenses is used- (ie: like wearing a retainer after braces). Most patients will have the best visual results with every night wear, although some can maintain clearvision only using the lenses 2-3 times a week.

Daily Disposable Soft Lenses

Daily disposable soft lenses are the healthiest lens option available, secondary to Ortho K. There is a significant decrease in the risk of infections and of developing an allergy to contact lenses. Daily replacement doesn’t allow the buildup of lipid and protein from your tear film onto the lens, or bacteria to grow and embed into the lens. Fortunately, contact lens companies are expanding the types of daily disposable lenses available, to provide more patients access to the very best in contact lens wear. These are a perfect option for many patients who couldn’t wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens, and are also ideal for those who don’t want to wear contacts every day. Since they do not require the purchase of solutions and cleaners, they cost the same as a two-week lens with the purchase of solutions and cleaners over a year.

Multifocal Soft Lenses

Recent technology has greatly improved multifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need progressives can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses.

Toric Soft Lenses

Toric soft lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. Toric lenses offer an alternative to glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses, which were previously the only options for astigmatism. There are several types of Toric lenses to choose from.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

These hard and gas permeable lenses offer an alternative for those who can’t wear soft lenses. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.

Specialty Contact Lenses

There are some wonderful contact lens options available for patients with corneal disease or specific contact lens needs: keratoconus, post-surgical, pellucid marginal degeneration or complicated refractive errors and needs. Patients have far more options than ever before with a custom soft lens, rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral lens to name a few. Our doctors and our team are specially certified and trained to successfully fit patients that may not have had the opportunity to see clearly with glasses or traditional contact lenses.

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 enzyming. Use only the lens solutions that are recommended by your eye doctor. If you wish to change brands, check with our office first.

Contact Lens Care

Few things affect the quality of your life more than your eyes, so 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 the guidelines or the instructions recommended by your doctor.

Please click here to refill your contact lens prescription.