Contact Lenses
Carrboro Family Vision provides exceptional professional contact lens services. We fit all types of contact lenses, such as those needed for near and farsightedness, astigmatism (toric), presbyopia (multifocals), and rigid gas permeable lenses. If you are interested in contact lenses or currently wear contact lenses, one of our optometrists can discuss your options with you. Our recommendations are individually tailored to each patient and based on many factors including your glasses prescription, visual needs, eye health and overall health.
What is a contact lens evaluation?
A contact lens evaluation is a separate part of a comprehensive eye examination and requires additional testing that people who do not wear contact lenses do not need to have. Patients wearing contact lenses require more of the doctors time and expertise.
In order to prescribe contact lenses an optometrist must complete several additional tests:
- Evaluate the health of the eye, paying close attention to the cornea, eyelids and conjunctiva and how contact lens wear affects the health of the eye.
- Determine the proper contact lens prescription based on each individual patients glasses prescription, vision needs and corneal health and curvature. A contact lens prescription is different and separate from a glasses prescription.
- Examine the contact lens on the eye to ensure proper alignment with the cornea and lids.
- Measure the visual acuity with the contact lenses on the eye and make adjustments as indicated.
Contact lens examinations and fittings have different levels of difficulty, depending on the type of contact lenses needed, the visual requirements of the patient and the health of the patients eyes.
Why is the contact lens evaluation separate from the comprehensive eye examination fee?
Most insurance companies require doctors to separate routine comprehensive eye examination fees from any services performed with regard to contact lenses. Since more time and testing is required for a patient who wears contact lenses, most insurance companies treat contact lens services as an additional and separate evaluation from the eye examination.
What is a contact lens prescription?
Contact lenses are medical devices that can only be dispensed by a prescription. Contact lens prescriptions expire after one year (or sooner if the doctor determines a medical reason for a shorter expiration date). They must be regarded with the same caution you would use for prescription drugs, which include prescription expiration dates and follow-up visits with your optometrist. Your contact lens prescription will include the power of your contact lenses, the type of contact lenses you wear, the shape of the contact lenses (curvature) and any other information determined by the doctor to be necessary for a proper contact lens fit.
Your eyes go through gradual changes in size, and physiological requirements (such as for oxygen) while wearing contact lenses. These changes can affect the health of the cornea and need to be monitored at least every year. For these reasons, the federal government requires contact lens prescriptions to expire after one year.
How should I take care of my contact lenses?
- Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
- Put on soft contact lenses before applying makeup. Put on rigid gas permeable lenses after applying makeup.
- Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your optometrist. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multipurpose solution to completely cover the lens, or in the specially designed case used with hydrogen peroxide solutions.
- With multi-purpose solutions, you should replace your case at a minimum of every three months. With hydrogen peroxide solutions, you should only use the case that comes with each solution bottle, replacing the case as you go through each bottle of solution.
- Empty your contact lens case after every use and keep it open and dry between cleanings. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never re-use old solution! Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturers recommendations, even if the lenses are not used daily.
- Use only products recommended by your optometrist to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
- Always follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your optometrist.
- Remove contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
- See your optometrist for your regularly scheduled contact lens and comprehensive eye examination.
What potential problems can I have as a contact lens wearer?
Following your optometrists advice and maintaining regular follow-up care will prevent most problems. It is generally not difficult to wear contact lenses. Problems with contact lens wear can be serious, however. Here is a list of some signs that things may not be going well. If you experience any of these, contact our office as soon as possible.
- Blurred or fuzzy vision, especially of sudden onset.
- Red, irritated eyes.
- Uncomfortable lenses.
- Pain in and around the eyes.
- Increased tearing (watery eyes) or discharge.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Feeling like theres something in your eye (with or without lens wear).
