DO CONTACT LENS EXAMS MATTER? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEE AN OPTOMETRIST FOR YOUR CONTACT LENSES?

Contact lenses are classified as a medical device because they can cause serious harm if they are not fit or worn properly. Contact lenses are not allowed to be sold without a contact lens prescription, nor can they be sold by just anyone. Since they are a restricted medical device only ophthalmologists, optometrists and contact lens fitting opticians can legally sell contact lenses.

CAN YOU ORDER CONTACTS ONLINE WITHOUT A CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTION OR FITTING?

Unfortunately, yes, but this is under investigation by numerous agencies both governmental and medical. Since there can be serious harm buying contacts without an up-to-date contact lens prescription, it is not recommended. Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and contact lens fitting opticians are all held to a higher standard and cannot sell or provide contact lenses without ensuring they are safe!

DO CONTACT LENSES NEED TO BE FIT PROPERLY TO BE SAFE?

Contact lenses can be too tight, too loose, too big, or too small, and improperly fitting contacts can increase your risk of an infection. A lens that is too loose can be uncomfortable and your vision can change every time you blink. Other problems, such as being too tight, is something only your eye care professional can detect. It may feel uncomfortable, but you won’t know why until you get an infection.

DO CONTACTS NEED TO BE FIT PROPERLY TO BE ABLE TO SEE?

This is can be true if your lenses are astigmatism correcting (or toric). These lenses interact with the shape of your eyes and if they are not sitting in the right spot your vision will be blurred. This is easily corrected by visiting your optometrist for a proper fitting.

DO YOU NEED TO TRY CONTACTS FIRST TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE?

When you have a contact lens fitting you are given trial lenses. This will allow your doctor to make sure your contacts fit you properly and that you are seeing clearly, and to allow you time to get accustomed to wearing the lenses. Each contact lens is made with different materials and coatings to make them more comfortable. Different people can react differently to these materials. What is comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for another. Trialing lenses gives you the chance to make sure that the lens feels comfortable in your eye.

DO YOU NEED TO BE TRAINED ON HOW TO WEAR YOUR CONTACTS?

If you are new to contacts, a contact lens exam will involve training. We show you how to put the contact lens in and take it out and make sure you can do it confidently. You may think it’s easy to get a contact lens in and out but without the proper training, it can be tricky. We also make sure you know how to take care of your contacts, how to clean them and how often to replace them. This is all vital to making sure your eyes stay healthy.

CAN CHOOSING THE RIGHT LENS SAVE YOU MONEY?

There are a lot of different contact lenses out there. There are monthly contacts, biweekly contacts, and daily contacts. Some contacts you can sleep in and some you can’t. Some lenses that sound like a bargain because they’re cheap may utilize old technology that could cause damage to your eyes.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT CONTACTS TO CHOOSE?

Talking with your optometrist is the best place to start. We’re familiar with all the different contact lenses available and can find one that works for you based on how you want to wear them and what your budget is.

IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE ABOUT CONTACT LENSES, HERE ARE A FEW REASONS ON WHY THEY MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU:

• Contact lenses (contacts) provide predictable vision correction. They eliminate the need to wear eyeglasses all the time and provide better side vision than eyeglasses. A wide range of lens types are available to meet individual needs.
• Contacts sit comfortably on the curvature of the eye, giving you a wider field of view than glasses, and excellent focus. They are not affected by adverse weather conditions such as fog and rain and will not steam up in hotter climates.
• Contact lenses move with your eye, allow a natural field of view, have no frames to obstruct your vision and greatly reduce distortions.
  Contact lenses are excellent for sports and other physical activities.
• Many people feel they look better in contact lenses.

TO SUM UP, IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CONTACT LENS EXAM TO ENSURE GOOD COMFORT AND VISION, PROPER FIT TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION AND GET ADVICE ON WHICH LENSES TO USE, HOW TO USE THEM, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, AND WHICH SOLUTION TO USE.

TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR CONTACTS, CONTACT US AT TRUVISION EYE CARE IN TACOMA. YOU’LL BE HAPPY YOU DID!

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