Expert Contact Lenses Fittings and All Types
The comfort, convenience, and acute visual clarity given by contact lenses has made them a very popular option for vision correction. They give excellent vision and a wider peripheral view, without the nuisance of eyeglasses sitting on your nose. However, contact lenses are not a one-size-fits-all solution. To preserve the long-lasting health of your eyes, you need a thorough contact lenses eye exam and fitting from a qualified eye doctor. Our Conroe optometrist will examine your eyes to fit you with the most suitable lens powers, size, and type of contact lenses. Book your appointment today to benefit from all that contacts have to offer!
Your Contact Lenses Fitting in Conroe, TX
When our optometrist checks your eyes to fit contacts, the eye exam consists of more than just basic vision screening. We will use advanced devices, along with personalized attention to consider your unique visual needs. In addition to determining your vision prescription for contact lenses, we will also evaluate your eye health to make sure there are no pre-existing conditions that could interfere with wearing contacts (such as dry eye). Depending upon the results of your eye exam, we will recommend the best types of contacts or specialty contact lenses for your eyes.
Measuring your eyes is the next step of your Conroe, TX, eye exam for contact lenses. We may use a keratometer to check for any corneal irregularities (it is a quick and painless procedure). Our eye doctor will also evaluate pupil size, corneal curvature, and iris size.
Contact Lenses Prescription
Your accurate contact lenses vision prescription will include:
- Base curve (lens curvature)
- Lens diameter
- Power of each lens
- Manufacturer and brand-name of lenses
Determining the Best Type of Contact Lenses for You
After we complete your eye exam, we will ask you to share information about your visual requirements, activities, and lifestyle. All of this information is significant for figuring out which type of contact lenses are right for you.
In our Conroe, TX, eye care clinic, it is important to us that you make an informed decision about your eyewear. Here is a rundown of the different types of contact lenses:
Soft vs. Hard Lenses
There are two basic types of contacts, hard and soft. Nowadays, the vast majority of contact lenses wearers prefer soft contact lenses. Made from specialized plastic mixed with water, soft lenses allow a large amount of oxygen to pass through to your cornea. They provide crisp vision and are comfortable immediately, with no adaptation period when you first insert them. Some soft contact lenses even offer built-in UV protection. However, soft lenses are relatively fragile and hard to handle.
Hard contact lenses, also known as rigid gas permeable lenses, are made from silicone and are also oxygen permeable. Many people experience sharper vision with hard lenses. Also, if you have astigmatism or a medical condition that causes protein deposits to form easily on the contact lens – hard lenses may be more appropriate. You must remove, sterilize, and store hard lenses every night, and they are typically very long lasting due to their durable material.
Wearing Schedules for Soft Contact Lenses
The decision about which type of contact lens to purchase depends largely upon your lifestyle and personality. Will you be vigilant about always sterilizing your lenses nightly? Will you follow the prescribed wearing schedule? Do you plan to take your lenses in and out a few times each day? When you meet with our Conroe, TX, eye doctors to discuss contact lenses, your answers will help us advise the best type of contact lenses to meet your needs.
- Daily Wear Lenses: Must be removed and disinfected nightly. You will replace them on a set schedule, from every two weeks to every three months, depending upon the particular brand.
- Extended Wear Lenses: Designed to be worn overnight. You need to remove and disinfect them at least once a week. Many optometrists do not recommend using this type because it is associated with a higher risk of eye infection.
- Disposable Contacts – Dailies: Discarded after each use, so there is zero maintenance. Dailies are well-suited for people with allergies, because allergens do not have time to build up on the lenses. Daily disposable lenses are also good for other eye conditions that lead to protein deposits.
Specialty Contact Lenses
These include multifocal contacts for presbyopia, toric lenses for astigmatism, scleral lenses for corneal irregularities, and colored contacts for fun!
Trying On Your Contact Lenses
After your eye exam, we will help you insert and try on some contact lenses. Once they are in your eyes for about 10 minutes, we will assess the fit and make sure they move smoothly on your eyes. Our staff will give clear instructions on how to handle, insert, remove, and care for your lenses.
Follow-Up Eye Exams in Conroe, TX
We strongly encourage everyone who wears contact lenses to visit our eye doctor for regular eye exams. This is the only reliable way to monitor the health of your eyes and acuity of your vision. We will also check the condition of your contacts, to make sure there are no problems. Sometimes, you may need a change in the type of lenses or disinfectant.
Our Conroe, TX, contact lenses specialists look forward to fitting you with convenient and comfortable eyesight!