No two eyes are exactly alike, so contact lenses can’t be approached with a one-size-fits-all strategy. To ensure that you get the right contact lenses to suit your unique eyes, we strongly recommend that all patients who either currently wear contact lenses or are considering contact lenses undergo both a comprehensive eye exam and a contact lens exam.

Improperly fitted contacts are not just uncomfortable; they can also cause corneal damage and compromise your vision.

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The Contact Lens Process

Finding the right contacts to suit your eyes and lifestyle is a three-step process.

The Contact Lens Exam

Before we can find the right contact lens brand and style for you, we need to examine your eyes. During the exam, we’ll review your medical history, and address any questions or concerns you may have about contact lenses.

We’ll assess your eyes for any conditions that may prevent you from wearing contact lenses, or require you to wear specialty contact lenses. We’ll also determine your contact lens prescription, which is different from your eyeglass prescription.

Once we have determined that you’re a good candidate for contact lenses, we’ll measure your corneas. Accurate measurements are important because they ensure that your contact lenses are the right power, curvature, and style to suit your unique eyes.

Contact lenses are available in a wide variety of wearing schedules, styles, and sizes. Finding the right match for you ensures that your vision is clear and stable, and your eyes stay healthy and comfortable.

Now that we know your prescription, and what style of contacts are right for your eyes, we’ll send you home with a trial pair. The trial phase gives you the chance to wear your contact lenses and confirm that the ones we have selected for you give you clear vision, are comfortable, and meet your lifestyle requirements.

Once you’ve had a chance to test out your new contact lenses, we’ll meet with you again to make sure they are meeting your needs and expectations, and ensure that your eyes are adapting well.

If you’re happy with your trial pair, we’ll order you a supply of contact lenses and give you a copy of your contact lens prescription. If the trial pair isn’t quite right, we’ll work with you to try other options until you’re satisfied.

Specialty Contact Lenses Available at Erie Shores Eyecare

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Just like multifocal glasses, multifocal contact lenses offer a gradient of vision correction on one lens. These contact lenses are designed for individuals with presbyopia, which is a refractive error that commonly occurs as part of the ageing process, impacting our ability to read and see near objects clearly.

Toric contact lenses are specifically designed for individuals with astigmatism. These specialty contact lenses are available in both soft, silicone hydrogel and rigid, gas-permeable (RGP) varieties.

Unlike ordinary spherical contact lenses, which are made with only one prescription, toric lenses feature different prescriptions along their vertical and horizontal axes to accommodate astigmatism. In order to provide clear vision, toric lenses need to remain rotationally stable and are specially weighted to ensure that they don’t rotate throughout the day.

Caring for Your Contact Lenses

Proper contact lens care plays a critical role in your eye health. Your optometrist will provide you with specific care instructions based on your particular style of contact lens. However, all contact lens wearers should:

  • Wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before inserting or removing their contact lenses to protect their eyes from bacteria and prevent eye infections.
  • Only clean their contact lenses with an approved contact lens multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide solution.
  • Always use fresh contact lens solution to store their lenses. You should never top up your contact lens solution.
  • Replace their contact lens case at least every 3 months. However, depending on your cleaning system, your optometrist may suggest that you replace your case more frequently.

Do you need a contact lens exam? Book your next appointment today.
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