• Can I wear Contact Lenses?
• • With the newest contact lens designs and materials available today, our doctors are able to fit patients who may not have had success wearing contact lenses in the past. Whether due to poor vision, astigmatism, comfort issues, or dry eyes there are many more choices in contact lens materials to meet those challenges.

• What types of Contacts Lenses are there and which lens is right for me?
• • There are several types of Contact lenses but only a thorough examination of your eyes AND your lifestyle will reveal the answer. A few types are:
    
    Daily Disposables
    The shortest replacement schedule is single use (daily disposable) lenses, which are disposed of each night. These may be best for patients with ocular allergies or other conditions, because it limits deposits of antigens and protein. Single use lenses are also useful for people who use contacts infrequently, or for purposes (e.g. swimming or other sporting activities) where losing a lens is likely.
    
    Two-week Replacement Disposables
    The main advantage of wearing disposable lenses is that you put a fresh pair of lenses in your eyes every two weeks. Another advantage is ease of care with multipurpose solutions.
    
    One-month Replacement Disposables
    Similar to two-week replacement lenses but you throw them out every 30 days.
    
    Conventional Contact Lenses
    These are the original soft contact lenses. It is recommended these lenses be replaced on a yearly basis. Conventional lenses are more care intensive than disposable lenses.
    
    Color Contact Lenses
    Certain soft contact lenses come in colors to either enhance your eye color or completely change it.
    
    Toric for Astigmatism
    Toric lenses are made from the same materials as regular contact lenses but have a few extra characteristics:
    • They correct for both spherical and cylindrical aberration.
    • They may have a specific 'top' and 'bottom', as they are not symmetrical around their center and must not be rotated. Lenses must be designed to maintain their orientation regardless of eye movement. Often lenses are thicker at the bottom and this thicker zone is pushed down by the upper eyelid during blinking to allow the lens to rotate into the correct position (with this thicker zone at the 6 o'clock position on the eye). Toric lenses are usually marked with tiny striations to assist their fitting.
    • They are usually more expensive to produce than non-toric lenses
    
    Bifocal Contact Lenses
    Multifocal soft contact lenses are more complex to manufacture and require more skill to fit. All soft bifocal contact lenses are considered "simultaneous vision" because both far and near vision corrections are presented simultaneously to the retina, regardless of the position of the eye. Of course, only one correction is correct, the incorrect correction causes blur. Commonly these are designed with distance correction in the center of the lens and near correction in the periphery, or vice versa.

• What's involved in a Contact Lens Exam?
• • In an initial exam, the eye doctor will examine your eyes to determine if you can wear contact lenses. Your prescription and the curvature of your eye are measured and the doctor will discuss any special needs you may have. The doctor will then determine the type of contact lenses that best fit your eyes and provide you with the most accurate vision while ensuring that your eyes remain healthy with the lenses.
    
    If trial lenses are available in the office, you may be able to go home with lenses the same day. However, if your prescription or curvature warrant, contact lenses may need to be ordered and a contact lens fitting appointment scheduled when the lenses arrive.

• What's involved in a Contact Lens Fitting?
• • When the lenses are ready, a fitting examination is scheduled as a practice session for you to try your new lenses and to become adept at lens insertion and removal. The doctor will also look at the lenses on your eyes and determine if any changes need to be made.

• Why is a yearly Contact Lens exam important?
• • Seeing 20/20 isn't the only reason for a contact lens exam. Since the eye is a sensitive organ, it is susceptible to irritations that may be caused by contact lens wear.
    
    Problems that are undetectable to you can develop into more serious conditions. It is vital to your eye health to make sure that your contact lenses fit properly and are allowing enough oxygen to reach the cells of the cornea. During the annual contact lens exam, your eye care professional evaluates the condition of the lenses and can tell if any changes are warranted in the lenses’ fitting.

• Can I swim or shower with Contact Lenses on?
• • There are two main reasons why you should not swim or shower with your contact lenses - possible loss of the lenses and, most importantly, contamination of the lenses.
    
    Underwater, contact lenses may be washed out of your eye, or above water a small wave or splash may take the lens with it. Contact lenses, especially the soft variety, will absorb any chemicals or germs in the water. They will then stay in or on the lens for several hours, irritating the eyes and possibly causing infection.

• Can children wear Contact Lenses?
• • The deciding factor for whether a child should wear contact lenses should be that child's maturity level. Children of all ages can tolerate contact lenses well, but they must be responsible for the care of the lenses. Parents should make that judgment based on the child's personal hygiene habits and their ability to perform household chores.

• What is the difference between soft and hard Contact Lenses?
• • Hard lenses
    These lenses were the original contact lenses made several decades ago from a plastic called PMMA. For a long time they were the only kind of lens but they are seldom used anymore as they have several drawbacks and have been superseded by “rigid” lenses. Rigid, or gas permeable, lenses are similar to hard lenses in design and appearance, however as the name suggests, the material they are made of is permeable to gases.
    
    Soft lenses
    Soft lenses are slightly larger and more flexible than rigid or hard lenses. Soft lenses are made of materials which soak up water, and it is this uptake of water that allows oxygen to transfer to the cornea. Soft lens material itself is impermeable, so the oxygen is transmitted via the water.

• Why shouldn't I wear my two-week disposable lenses longer?
• • In order to maintain optimal eye health and comfort, it is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor.

• What if I don't wear my two-week disposable contacts every day?
• • The two-weeks timeframe refers to 14 days of wear. If you are wearing lenses only two to three days per week, the lenses may last longer then two weeks.

• Can I safely wear extended wear Contact Lenses overnight?
• • Extended lens wearers may have an increased risk for corneal infections and corneal ulcers, primarily due to poor care and cleaning of the lenses, tear film instability, and bacterial stagnation. Corneal neovascularization has historically been a common complication of extended lens wear, though this does not appear to be a problem with silicone hydrogel extended wear.
    
    The most common complication of extended lens use is conjunctivitis, usually allergic or giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), sometimes associated with a poorly fitting contact lens.

• What are all those numbers for my prescription?
• • An eyeglass prescription is written in a standardized format so it can be understood globally. The right eye, is generally referred to as "OD" or "R", while the left eye is generally referred to as "OS" or "L". The right eye is almost always on top in a written prescription with the left directly below. Ignoring for sample sake, the right or left eye, let's look at a example below:
    
    -2.00 -1.00 x 90. The first number (-2.00) tells us the spherical refractive diopter (a unit of measurement) needed to correct (farsightedness or nearsightedness). In this example, a minus sign in front of the number indicates a correction for nearsightedness. A plus sign would indicate a correction for farsightedness. This is generally true when you are talking about the first set of numbers.
    
    The plus and minus signs on the second number, generally indicates what professional examined your eyes. An optometrist usually refracts in what's referred to as "Minus Cylinder, while an ophthalmologists refracts in "Plus Cylinder". For example, an optometrists script would be -2.00 -1.00 x 90, while the same prescription written by an ophthalmologists would be; -3.00 +1.00 x 180. Please note that the second number has a plus sign, and the last number (180, the Axis) has been transposed 90 degrees.
    
    The second number (-1.00) is for astigmatism. If there is no astigmatism correction needed then you would not see the third (180) number. Sometimes you might see the following; SPH written for a cylinder correction instead of a number and nothing written for the third number. SPH stands for "Sphere" which indicates that there is no astigmatism correction needed.
    
    The next number (180, the Axis line) is the direction of the astigmatism. Astigmatism can be measured in any direction around the clock. We use the numbers from 001 to 180 to indicate the orientation of the correction needed.
    
    The next number is the Base Curve (BC). This number indicates how curved the inside of your lens is. It typically ranges from 8-10 and assures that the lens fits well against your eye so it feels comfortable. A lower number means a steeper curve, and a higher number means a flatter curve.
    
    The next number is the Diameter (DA). This is the width of the contact lens from edge to edge, measured in millimeters. This helps ensure that your contact lens will properly cover your eye.
    
    Depending on your need, there may be additional numbers in a Contact Lens prescription as well. If your prescription has a set of numbers, or a single number with a symbol such as a triangle, or the letters " BI, BO, BU, or BD that would indicate a prism correction. BI = Base In, BO = Base Out, BU = Base Up, and BD = Base Down. It is not uncommon to have different base directions for either eye.
    
    Also, you might see "ADD" numbers for those requiring intermediate or near vision help. The ADD number is exactly what it indicates...; an ADD, or an additional script to an otherwise already existing prescription. For example, your prescription is -2.00 for the first number. (In this example there is no astigmatism). For the "ADD " number you have a +3.00.This would indicate that by 'Adding" the +3.00 to the -2.00, your reading prescription would be +1.00 (adding a greater positive number to a lesser negative number results in a positive answer).
    
    Also, you might see "Color". The color of a contact lens typically has no effect on your vision, but it's still important to get a prescription for them to make sure they fit your eyes properly.

• Do I need an optometrist and or an ophthalmologist?
• • Both are eye doctors that diagnose and treat many of the same eye conditions. The American Optometric Association defines Doctors of Optometry as: primary health care professionals who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. They prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy and medications as well as perform certain surgical procedures.
    
    The main difference between the two, is that ophthalmologists perform surgery, where an optometrist would not, preferring to specialize in eye examinations, as well as eyeglass and contact lens related services and also enhancing visual function through the use of therapy.
    
    Optometrists would be involved in all of the pre- and post-operative care of these patients; collecting accurate data, educating the patient, and insuring proper healing after the procedure. An ophthalmologist is more of a medical related specialist, who would need only to be involved if some kind of surgery were being considered. An optometrist can treat most any eye condition, including the use of topical or oral medications if needed. This might include the treatment of glaucoma, eye infections, allergic eye conditions and others, to name just a few.
    
    A third "O" that often is overlooked, is the optician. An optician is not a doctor, and they cannot examine your eye under their own license. However, a highly trained optician plays an indispensable role in the most successful eye doctors' offices. An optician most often handles the optical, contact lens, and glasses side of things. Based on their vast knowledge of lenses, lens technology and frames, they manufacture eyeglasses, as well as assist in the selection of eyewear, based on the requirements of each individual patient.

• What are Sclera Lenses?
• • Scleral lenses are very large diameter gas-permeable lenses ranging from 14mm to 20mm that completely vault the cornea, "land" and rest on the white part of the eye called the sclera, and create a reservoir of tears.
    
    They are called "scleral" lenses because, these lenses cover the "white" of the eye (the sclera). Because of this type of fit, they are less likely to accidentally dislodge from the eye compared to conventional GP lenses.
    

• Are Sclera Lenses Comfortable?
• • Because of their size and this tear reservoir, they are typically extremely comfortable and at times may provide better vision correction than other standard contact lenses, glasses, and even surgery.
    
    The lenses are made of materials that let oxygen pass through the lens and provide a thin cushion of fluid that stays between the lens and eye that makes them very comfortable, reduces redness and creates a healthy environment for the eye.
    

• who can Sclera Lenses?
• • The lens is appropriate for most prescriptions and is available for patients who need help reading (multifocal / bifocal) and those with astigmatism (torics).
    
    Scleral lenses incorporate a unique design that eliminates irregularities of the shape on the front surface of the eye to correct your vision.
    

• Can I wear scleral lenses continuously?
• • In General, most eye care providers recommend that you remove scleral lenses before sleeping. Stagnation of the tear layer behind the lens could lead to a higher risk of eye infection. Since most of the people who need scleral lenses have already had some trouble with their eyes, further challenge to the surface of the eye would not be advised.
    

• Can I sleep while wearing my scleral lenses?
• • In some cases, scleral lenses may serve to protect the surface of the eye overnight. In such cases, overnight wear may be specifically recommended by an eye care provider. However, if your eye care provider doesn’t specifically tell you to wear the lenses overnight, plan to remove them before retiring for the evening.
    

• How long can I wear scleral lenses during the day?
• • Many patients who wear scleral lenses are able to wear them for 12-14 hours daily. Some patients may need to remove the lenses, clean them, and reapply them with fresh saline periodically throughout the course of the day in order to maintain the best possible vision and comfort..

• Will scleral lenses completely correct my vision so that I don’t need glasses when I'm wearing them?
• • Scleral lenses will mask irregularities on the surface of the eye, and may give you better vision than other forms of correction. However, it’s possible that you’ll still need to wear glasses over the lenses in order to see clearly at all distances, especially if you’re over the age of 40 and are now using reading glasses for near tasks.

• I have dry eyes. If I wear scleral lenses, will I be able to stop using eyedrops and/or other medication for my dry eyes?
• • Scleral lenses are a useful addition to your current therapy, but are not likely to completely replace other things that you’re doing to manage your condition. While scleral lenses protect the cornea, the back of your eyelid will still need to move over the front surface of the lens. Lubricant drops can help to reduce irritation caused by this interaction.
    
    If you are using any medications prescribed to manage corneal infection or inflammation, you should continue to do so when wearing scleral lenses unless your eye care provider specifically instructs you to discontinue the medication. Furthermore, you should plan to remove scleral lenses before using prescription eyedrops, and reapply the lenses after instilling the drops.

• Are follow-up visits included?
• • Our patients are always seen the day following the procedure and then again at one week, one month, three months, and six months following surgery. On occasion, patients require being seen more often. We offer our services twenty-four hours-a-day should you have any questions or concerns.

• I have scleral lenses, and notice that my vision seems a little blurry after several hours of wear. What causes this, and what can I do to prevent it?
• • Blurred vision that you notice after a few hours of wear could be due to deposits on either the front or back surface of the lens. Removing the lens, cleaning it, reconditioning the front surface, and reapplying it with fresh saline should clear your vision. If your vision remains blurred even after cleaning and reapplying the lens, check with your eye care provider to make sure that your lens is still fitting properly.

• How long will a scleral lens last?
• • Depending upon your tear film’s tendency to coat the lenses and your care habits, scleral lenses should last approximately as long as other rigid lenses (1-3 years).

• I have keratoconus. Should I consider scleral lenses?
• • Scleral lenses are very often a very good solution to keratoconus and can give both good vision and great comfort.

• Why do scleral lenses work well with keratoconus?
• • Scleral lenses do not touch or rest on the irritated corneal tissue. Instead these lenses vault over the cornea and are supported by the white portion (the sclera) of the eye. A special fluid fills the space between the back portion of the lens and the front of the cornea. There is very little lens movement and the edges of the lenses are beneath the eyelids.
    
    Due to the increased stability of these lenses over conventional gas permeable lenses, comfort and vision is usually excellent. In addition, the fluid environment between the back of the lens and the front of the cornea tends to promote healing of the irritated corneal tissue.

• My doctor says that my keratoconus is mild yet I can’t seem to tolerate my contact lenses and the vision with my glasses is getting worse. My doctor has tried everything. Will scleral lenses work for me?
• • The use of scleral lenses is not based on the severity of the disease. It is very appropriate to fit scleral lenses based solely on reduced comfort

• My keratoconus is very advanced. I see well with my contact lenses but one lens pops out 6 or more times a day and I can only wear the other lens for a few hours because it hurts. My doctor says that this is the best fit that I can get. Can scleral lenses help me?
• • Your doctor’s response is not unusual, as many doctors have little or no experience with scleral contact lenses. The scleral lenses are made of highly oxygen permeable materials that can be fit to provide excellent comfort and vision and virtually never pop out.
    
    In fact, patients with a number of corneal diseases actually undergo a healing affect after scleral lens wear. The scleral lenses create a reservoir of fluid that bathes the corneal surface while the lenses are worn. This often reduces the pain and light sensitivity that can be debilitating to patients with corneal diseases such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, post-lasik surgery, post-corneal transplants, corneal ectasia, keratoconus and so on

• I am an athlete and this forces me to be out in the wind and dust. I have to wear gas permeable contact lenses for good vision. My lenses continually get debris under them and this is very painful. Could scleral lenses work for me?
• • Scleral lenses can provide great vision and comfort in the wind and dust and can be a great alternative to conventional gas permeable contact lenses in this environment. Additionally, they virtually never pop out of your eyes unintentionally.