CONTACT LENSES
To order replacement contact lenses click here.Soft Lens Training Video
Click HERE to view a youtube Video by AcuVue Contacts to review how to apply and remove your soft contact lenses (note: if you have long fingernails do not scoop the lenses out of the case but rather pour them out to avoid tearing the lenses).Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses (RGP)
"Doc, I see so crisp but ..."
These are hard contact lenses made from a material that allows oxygen to pass through it to the cornea. These lenses in the past were typically the first lens of choice in patients with high degrees of astigmatism. Since the lens material is rigid, it can correct for the difference in curvatures of the cornea that cause astigmatism. This lens design is referred to as a toric or bitoric design depending on the degree of astigmatism that needs to be corrected. However, with today's special design soft contact lenses we can now typically use soft lenses for even the high amounts astimatism so gas permeable lenses are not utilized as much.
The photo on the left shows the comparison between a soft contact lens (left) with a Rigid Gas Permeable Lens (right).
RGP lenses typically last longer than soft contact lenses, are easier to care for (clean and disinfect) and will offer slightly better visual acuity. They are more complicated to fit than soft contact lenses in that the fit is more critical and the adaptation time is usually longer. The biggest drawback and reason that RGP's are not fit more often is due to comfort issues. A soft lens is usually quite more comfortable than RGP's. Also, a rigid lens cannot be used to change someones eye color because they are smaller than the colored part (Iris) of the eye.
Soft Contact Lenses
"Doc, these are so comfortable ..."
Soft Contact Lenses are pliable lenses made from materials that incorporate a percentace of water content in the lens. When hydrated the lens material (like sponge) takes on it's "soft" nature. They are typically the lens of choice in most myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted) patients and presbyopia. The toric soft lens designs currently available are excellent and can correct most cases of astigmatism. They are typically easier to adapt to than the Gas Permeable due to the increased comfort. Since the lens is hydrated (from 38% water content on up) disinfection and cleaning techniques are more critical and so chemical disinfection is mandatory.
Soft lenses are used on a daily wear usage (remove every night), flexible wear (sleep 1-2 nights) or extended wear (sleep a maximum of 6 nights) and there are a couple lenses approved for up to 30 days wear. The most common lens modalities are: Traditional (one pair used approx. 1-2 years before replacing), Planned Replacement (replace every 1-3 months), or Disposable (replace every 1-2 weeks or daily). The type of lens and wearing schedule we prescribe is based on many factors with eye health being paramount. Never wear your lenses longer than prescribed and discontinue lens wear anytime that there is redness, pain or discomfort.
Soft Contact lenses can come in a variety of colors if the patient desires to change their eye color. The eye color changeable soft contact lenses are now available for astigmatism in addition to the non-astigmatism corrections. Wesley Jessen has a new colored lens called Color Blends which incorporates three separate steps to produce a natural looking lens.
Duette: Soft Contact Lenses w/ Rigid Gas Permeable in the center
"Doc, I didn't know they made these ..."
One of the newest contact lens designs (called the Duette Lens) actually combines both technologies of the Rigid Gas Permeable and the Soft Lens. The center of the lens is a Rigid Lens for clarity while the outer portion (or skirt) is made from a soft contact lens for comfort and fitting characteristics. It is a great lens choice for those with astigmatism, fluctuating vision with a regular soft lens or for those that like the vision of a Rigid Gas Permeable but struggle with comfort issues. The lenses are a six month replacement lens (daily wear usage only). So if you are one that has struggled with vision issues with traditional contact lenses this could be a viable option.
Contact Lenses for Presbyopia
"Doc, I can see far and near again."
In presbyopia the patient requires two different prescriptions, one for distance viewing and the second for reading up close. In contact lenses there are a few options available to correct prebyopia. The simplist solution is to use distance contact lenses with reading glasses on top. The advantage is this gives you excellent distance and reading vision but the patient still has to use spectacles. A second option is to fit one eye for the distance and the other for reading which is called monovision. The advantage to this fitting is the patient has usable distance and near vision all the time without having to use spectacles. The third option which is becoming the most common option due to the advent of newer lenses and technology is the use of multifocal contact lenses. Similair to spectacles, multifocal contact lenses correct for both the distance and up close in the same lens. Multifocal contacts are much more complicated to fit than the tradition fitting with monovision but when successfully fit they offer far more options. Dr. Mason fits all versions of contact lenses for presbyopia and would be happy to discuss these options with you during the course of your eye examination.
Contact Lenses For Astigmatism
"Doc, they told me I couldn't wear contacts because I have stigma??? something..."Patient's with astigmatism have a situation where the front curvature of the eye (cornea) or the internal lens has two different curves. In essence, it is as if the front of the eye is warped, so no matter what type lens you fit, if you do not create a spherical surface the vision is distorted. Tradtionally this has been corrected using rigid contact lens (hard or RGP) because the front surface of the lenses vaulted over the warped cornea. Today, as noted above we can also correct astimatism using toric soft lenses and the above mentioned Duette Lens. The new soft toric designs come in tradtional, quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily disposable options. If you were told a long time ago you could not be fit for contacts because of "astigma something" come in for a consultation.
Contact Lens Rebates
Many of the major Contact Lens manufacturers offer rebates towards the cost of a years supply of contact lenses and even sometimes towards the professional fitting fees. You can follow links to some of the rebate sites below by clicking on the contact lens manufacturer of your contact lenses. (For "2 Clear" Lenses choose the Cooper Vision logo and for AcuVues use the Vistakon logo.)
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Dr. Daniel L. Mason, Optometrist
(619)267-9900