CONTACT LENS EXAM & FITTINGS
Clear Vision with Contact Lenses
Contact lenses offer many benefits for those requiring vision correction. For some prescriptions, contact lenses may provide clearer, more crisp vision than eyeglasses.
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Some patients may prefer the quality of vision provided by contact lenses, while others might opt for a glasses-free look to fit into their style rotation. Regardless of the reason for choosing contacts, we can work with most any prescription and find lenses that provide clear, comfortable vision. Constant technology advances allow us to fit contact lenses for nearly everyone.
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It is important to remember that contact lenses are medical devices. They must be properly fitted and cared for, and the type of lens must be the right one for your unique situation.
We will assess your lifestyle needs to make recommendations as to specific lens types, teach you the proper methods of insertion and removal, and provide you with contact lens care protocols.
How Does a Contact Lens Exam & Fitting Work?
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The Exam
Before we send you home with your new contact lenses, there are a few steps to go through. First, we’ll examine your eyes for any health issues that might restrict contact lens use. Next, we’ll determine what level of correction you need, ensuring we have the most accurate prescription. Finally, we’ll measure your eyes, getting precise measurements indicating the size and shape of contacts you need for the most comfortable fit.
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The Fitting
Now it’s time to start trying out contact lenses! We’ll select the pair that we think will work best for you, and spend some time with you going over the things you need to know. This will include proper contact lens hygiene, the dos and don’ts of contact lens wear, and a tutorial on how to insert and remove your lenses properly.
It may take a few appointments to determine your contact lens prescription. A contact lens prescription is different from a glasses prescription, and needs to be measured separately.Once you’ve learned the basics, we’ll send you home with a trial pair of lenses. Wear these (as directed) for a few days, and decide if you’re happy with them. If not, don’t worry! Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the perfect contact lenses for you. Once you find the right lenses, it’s all worth it.
Why Choose Contact Lenses?
Glasses and contacts each have their own benefits. Wearers may prefer contact lenses for playing sports and exercising, or preventing raindrops or fogging during inclement weather.
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However, because contacts sit directly on the eyes, they pose some unique risks and must be cared for appropriately. A contact lens exam and fitting can reduce the risk of any eye infections or discomfort that can occasionally occur with lens wear.
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We Have a Great Selection of Contacts
Our dispensary is stocked with a wide variety of well known and trustworthy brands, including Bausch & Lomb, CIBA, Coopervision, and Acuvue.
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Can I Wear Contact Lenses If I Have Dry Eye?
Some patients find that contact lenses exacerbate their dry eye symptoms. In fact, dry eye is the leading source of contact lens discomfort. But you shouldn’t have to choose between comfort and the freedom of contact lenses. We carry a number of contacts designed to correct your vision while alleviating your dry eye symptoms.
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If dry eye is keeping you from wearing contact lenses, why not deal with the source of the symptoms? Book an appointment with us today and ask what dry eye treatment options are available to you.
Specialty Contact Lenses
We carry a large selection of contact lenses to suit a variety of budgets and vision needs. Along with traditional soft and rigid gas permeable lenses, we specialize in fitting specialty lenses for special eyes.
1 day contact lenses are single-use, easy-to-fit soft lenses that are clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children between 8 and 12.
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Learn more about myopia (nearsightedness), and how we can control the progression of the condition in children, on our Myopia Control page.
Scleral contact lenses are large-diameter, gas-permeable contact lenses designed to vault over the cornea. They provide a smooth surface for eyes with corneal irregularities and sit on the sclera, rather than the cornea, making them more comfortable to wear for those with certain conditions.
Those with keratoconus or who suffer from dry eye may find scleral lenses preferable.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are made of a rigid plastic, making them more durable than soft contact lenses. Their material allows increased levels of oxygen to reach the eye when compared to soft contacts. They may also be a better option for those with dry eye.
Multifocal contact lenses are available as soft or RGP lenses and as daily disposables or extended wear lenses. Like multifocal eyeglasses, they are designed to correct both presbyopia and other refractive errors simultaneously.
Colour contact lenses change the colour of your eyes. Whether you are buying them purely for cosmetic reasons or for vision correction, it is essential to have a contact lens exam and fitting so you can get an up-to-date prescription and the right fit for your eyes.
Astigmatism is a non-invasive error characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens that causes blurred vision at all distances. Toric contact lenses are soft contacts specifically designed to correct moderate amounts of astigmatism. These lenses are shaped like a slice of a doughnut with a small weight on the bottom to ensure they remain in position during blinking.