Contact Lenses
About Contact Lenses
Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient and, with the latest advancements in technology, are extremely comfortable. Most of the time, you'll hardly know you're wearing them, though you'll certainly notice how clear and accurate your vision is. Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, called the cornea, to correct vision. Lenses are sometimes worn for cosmetic purposes only.
We recommend wearing contact lenses in conjunction with eye glasses. This allows you to best meet your overall lifestyle needs while protecting the integrity of your overall eye health.
We'll discuss the option that's best for you. Many patients choose contact lenses for their primary vision correction and back-up glasses. Many patients who wear glasses have activities and events where they'd rather not wear their glasses and choose contact lenses for these times.
Contact Lens Types
The types of contact lenses available have exploded in the past few years. There are contact lenses available for almost everyone. Many or our patients were told in the past that they couldn't wear contacts, or unsuccessfully tried contact lenses. You owe it to yourself to see what's new.
We carry many options, and promise to do our best in selecting contact lenses that you'll love wearing. Choose from the following list for a brief look at some of the options available.
Disposable Soft Lenses
Disposable soft lenses are much more popular than conventional soft lenses. These lenses are worn for a period of time then, of course, thrown away.
The most well-known disposables last for two weeks. There are also one-month and one-day disposables. These are perfect for many patients who were told they couldn't wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens and are also popular for athletes and hobbyists who don't necessarily want to wear contact lenses every day.
Tinted Soft Lenses
Next, you have tinted soft lenses, available in conventional, disposable, or frequent replacement types. With tinted soft lenses, you can change your eye color or enhance your eye color. Even if you don't need corrective lenses, you can use "plano" tinted lenses to change your eye color.
Bifocal Soft Lenses
Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need bifocals can now 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, if you had astigmatism, your only options were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. But toric lenses now offer an alternative. There are several types of toric lenses to choose from.
Extended Wear Soft Lenses
Extended wear lenses are the result of new technology in lens materials that transmit more oxygen to the cornea of the eye. Some of these lens materials can be worn up to 30 days, day and night, without removal. You may sleep in these lenses for one week, two weeks, or one month, depending upon the lens material and your doctor's recommendations.
Contact Lens Care Made Easy!
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.
Warning: 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.
DOs & DON'Ts of Contact Lens Wear:
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.
- Wash hands thoroughly before inserting or removing lenses.
- Always RUB & RINSE your contact lenses when cleaning them.
- Clean case cap with solution daily and let air dry.
- 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 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 schedule and keep follow-up appointments with your eye doctor.
Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. - Contact lens solution bottle should always be closed after using it.
- Contact lens solution should be disposed of if contaminated.
- Do not wear contacts when showering, swimming diving/ snorkeling, sports & hot tubs.
- You should have backup eyeglasses in current prescription.
- Do not wear contact lenses when sick.
- Don't wear damaged contacts.
- Remove lenses immediately if eyes become painful, red, blurry, or more light sensitive than usual.
- Most Important: "When in doubt, take them out"
It's extremely important to have regular eye exams for your entire family.
To make an appointment for an eye exam, call us today at (954) 961-2200.
6850 Miramar Parkway