CONTACT LENSES
We have many different kinds of contact lenses available to meet a wide variety of visual demands. Whether you wear contacts every day, only for recreational activities, or just for an occasional evening out, our doctors will find the best contact lenses to meet your needs. We offer contacts to correct specific problems such as astigmatism, allergy problems, dry eye issues, difficulty reading and keratoconus. Our goal is to give you the best comfort and vision possible and there is a large selection of contact lens materials that our doctors can prescribe to achieve that goal.
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SOFT LENSES
Soft contact lenses are the most commonly prescribed lenses today. Soft lenses are made of thin plastics that drape over the front surface of the eye and provide excellent comfort while allowing oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are many different brands of soft contacts available that can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and difficulty reading. Soft lenses are excellent for wearing during athletic activities and are generally easier to adapt to than rigid contact lenses.
HARD CONTACTS
RGPs are made of hard plastic materials and are generally easier to handle than soft lenses. They are more durable than soft lenses and tend to have a much longer life than soft lenses if cared for properly. RGPs are, however, initially less comfortable than soft contact lenses and not ideal for sports as they tend to fall out of the eye more readily than soft lenses.
MULTIFOCAL CONTACTS
Multifocal contact lenses allow for both distance and up-close vision. Multifocal lenses come in both soft and hard lens designs and are engineered to provide wearers with greater visual flexibility when reading vision deteriorates (presbyopia). Multifocal lenses are relatively new to the market and the technology is constantly being improved. They generally do not provide perfect vision for both distance and near activities, but they do provide wearers with a much greater ability accomplish most daily tasks without having to rely on reading glasses.
TORIC LENSES
Recent advances in contact lens technology have made toric lenses a much better option than they were in the past. Toric lenses also come in both soft and hard lens designs and our doctors are very skilled at fitting even those patients who have relatively large amounts of astigmatism.
DAILY CONTACT LENSES
Daily lenses are soft contacts that are worn for one day then thrown away. These lenses are ideal for patients who only want to use contacts occasionally or for those patients who are bothered by chronic allergies. Daily lenses are also great for those patients whose eyes are sensitive to contact lens solutions. Daily wear lenses are considered to be the healthiest kind of contact lenses for your eyes and our office carries the most up to date kinds of daily lenses.
ORTHO-K LENSES
Orthokeratology is a unique fitting technique that uses rigid gas permeable lenses to temporarily change the curvature of the cornea. Ortho-K lenses change how light focuses inside your eyes and is most commonly used to correct nearsightedness. Ortho-K lenses are typically worn at night while sleeping and are removed in the morning. As the cornea changes shape, nearsightedness improves and some people can go all day without needing to wear their glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, however, vision correction does not last the entire day. If Ortho-K treatment is discontinued, the corneas will eventually return to their original shape and glasses or contacts will be needed to correct vision.
COLORED CONTACTS
Colored contact lenses are soft lenses that change the color of the eye when worn. Colored lenses are available with or without prescription and can be worn full-time or just for special occasions. Even though colored lenses are available in plano power (no prescription), they are still regulated by the FDA just like contact lenses with prescription and therefore need a prescription from a doctor before they can be purchased.
KERATOCONUS LENSES
Keratoconus is degenerative disease of the cornea in which the supportive fibers of the cornea begin to break down and the cornea assumes a more cone-like form. Although the exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, it usually starts during the teenage years and gradually worsens through the adult years. Keratoconus affects about 1 in every 1000 people and can have very serious visual implications. Although corneal transplants are sometimes necessary in very severe cases, most keratoconic patients can be managed with the use of contact lenses. If you have keratoconus or our doctors suspect you have it, our office has the technology and lenses to help you see as clearly and comfortably as possible. Our doctors perform corneal topography (corneal mapping) and fit you in the most appropriate lens to manage your condition. Typically, the doctors use hard contact lenses or the newer Synergeyes lens which have a rigid lens center and soft lens periphery for extra comfort.
