Medical Consultation

Medical Consultation:

Contact Lens Overview

Contact Lens Compliance

Contact Lens Care, Insertion & Removal

Corneal Molding Overview

Monovision Overview

Which Way Is the Right Way?

A question many newbie wearers have is: "How can I tell if my contact lens is inside-out?"

The difference can be subtle, but before placing a contact lens on your eye, make sure it looks like half a ball, not a soup bowl with a rim.
The trick is to place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes so you're looking at the side of the cup.

If the lens forms a "U" with the top edges flared out, it's inside out. If it forms just a "U," it's in the correct position.
If you're wearing lenses with a handling tint, another way is to place the lens on your fingertip and then look down at it. The edge of a tinted lens should look very blue (or green, depending on the tint); that won't be the case if the lens is inverted.
Some contact lenses also have a laser marking, such as the brand name, on the edge to help you. If you can read it properly, the lens is not inside out. Don't worry if you place a contact lens in your eye inside out. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but it can't do any damage.

Applying Your Contact Lenses

Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before applying your contact lenses, but avoid overly scented or oily soaps that might adhere to the lens surface. Especially avoid using products containing lanolin.
Some eye doctors say to always apply the first contact lens in the same eye, so you'll avoid the possibility of mixing up lenses for the right eye and left eye.

Other basic guidelines for contact lens application include:

• Gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution, to loosen the contact lens should it be stuck. (
Don't try pulling at the lens with your finger, or you might damage it.)
• Slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.
• Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be dry or mostly dry.
• With the fingers and thumb of your other hand, simultaneously pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower eyelid.
• Position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward, whichever you find to be easier.
You also can apply the contact lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your ear.
• Roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle, then blink.

Removing Your Contact Lenses

Always wash your hands before removing contact lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, make sure you use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens might accidentally fall.

To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while you pull down on your lower eyelid. With a finger, gently maneuver the lens onto the white of your eye. There, you can very gently pinch the lens together with your index finger and thumb and lift it off the eye. Until you master contact lens removal, you might consider keeping your fingernails clipped to avoid accidentally scratching and damaging your eye.
Rigid contact lenses can be removed by holding out the palm of your hand, bending over, and then opening your eye wide. With one finger of your other hand, pull on the skin of your eye's outside corner straight out toward your ear with your eye wide open. Then blink. The contact lens should pop right out and into your open palm.

Devices for removing contact lenses, known as "plungers," also are available from your eye doctor, and can be used to touch and directly remove a lens from your eye. Just make sure you touch only the lens and not your eye's surface with this device.
While you might hear a myth or two about someone "losing" a contact lens in the back of the eye, this is actually impossible because of a membrane that connects your eye to the back of your eyelid.

Contact Lenses and UV Light

Researchers have linked ultraviolet (UV) light to the formation of cataracts. Exposure to excessive UV light also may result in a condition called photokeratitis.

That's why some lenses now incorporate a UV-blocking agent. You can't tell if a contact lens has a UV blocker just by looking at it — the blocker is provided in clear form, so as not to disturb vision. The contact lens packaging will specify if the product has a UV blocker, or you can ask your eye doctor.

Very important: UV-blocking contacts are not meant to replace sunglasses. A contact lens covers only your cornea, not your entire eye.
However, UV-blocking contact lenses do help protect the portion of the white of your eye that is covered from formation of growths such as pingueculae and pterygia.

Sunglasses with UV protection can cover more of your eye and the parts of your face that surround the eye, depending on the size of the sunglass lens. That's why contacts with UV blockers are designed to complement sunglass use as an added protection.

Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses

Getting makeup in your eye is annoying. But it's even worse with contacts, because it can stick to the lenses instead of flushing right out. Follow these tips to keep your eyes looking and feeling good:

• Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup. And always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts,
so you won't transfer any oils, creams, or lotions to the lenses.
• Use only non-allergenic makeup. Almay and Clinique have eye-friendly products, but there are other brands as well.
• Cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder. However, creams can also irritate your eyes more if
they do make it into your eyes. Choose water-based rather than oil-based creams.
• If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then, brush off any excess powder before opening your eye.
• Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye. Apply eyeliner only on the portion of your lashes that is well away from your eye.
• To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your contacts, being careful not to bump them into any makeup.
Finally, use your eye makeup remover.
• Replace your eye makeup frequently — at least every three months. Don't use old eye makeup, because over time bacteria will get into the product and then into your eyes, where it can cause an infection. One way to tell if your makeup is too old is if it smells funny. Also, don't share your eye makeup with others.

Buying Lenses and Getting Fitted: Two Different Things

The law does not eliminate ECPs from the process of fitting and prescribing contacts. In the United States, contact lenses are a prescription item, just like medicines. And even if you already have an eyeglass prescription, you need a contact lens prescription that contains additional information.

The 2004 law pertains to buying the lenses themselves, after you've been fitted. It's an important distinction, now that most people wear disposable contact lenses and need to purchase lenses on a regular basis.

Why a Prescription?

A contact lens is a medical device. If it's not prescribed properly, you may not see well. More importantly, a poorly fitting lens — or one made from a material not well-suited to your eyes — can mean discomfort, inflammation, swelling, abrasion, or another problem that could, in rare cases, result in permanent eye tissue damage.

That, and the risk of infection, are also why it's a bad idea to share contact lenses with other wearers.

Throughout the United States, you can be fitted for contact lenses by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. In some states, opticians also can be certified to fit contact lenses.

When Does Your Rx Expire?

By law contact lens prescriptions are valid for a minimum of one year, or the minimum required by state law, whichever is greater.

Even if you buy your replacement contacts from another source, you still need to visit your eye doctor for regular eye exams and contact lens fittings.

When your prescription expires, you won't be able to buy more lenses until you get an updated prescription. This will probably involve a checkup by your ECP to be certain that contact lenses aren't adversely affecting your eyes.
"Just because your eyes feel good and your contact lenses seem to be working well does not mean your eye health is O.K.," "You may be having microscopic problems that can be seen only with a slit lamp [a type of microscope used during an eye exam]."

Dr. Dan says that about 10 percent of the time when he sees a patient during a follow-up visit, he notices something that could become a problem if not taken care of immediately.

Remember, if you're diagnosed with a lens-related problem, it's unlikely that you'll have to permanently discontinue wearing contacts. Chances are you'll simply need a different size, material or design of lens.

Interpreting Your Contact Lens Prescription

Eye doctors use standard terms, abbreviations and measurements to write contact lens prescriptions. It may look like a secret code, but it's really quite simple to decipher.

Your prescription may note how often your contact lenses must be replaced (once a month, every two weeks, once a week, daily, etc.). Or you may be instructed verbally, during your exam. Often the lens brand includes this information (e.g., Ophtha-Lens One-Week), but the real judge is your eye care practitioner, who knows which replacement option is best for your eyes and lifestyle

Teens and Contact Lenses:

What Parents Need To Know

This guide is sponsored by CooperVision, manufacturer of Proclear® 1 Day and ClearSight™ 1 Day daily disposable contact lenses.
Following the Q&A below, read about how to prepare for a contact lens fitting.

• How old do you have to be to wear contact lenses?
There is no age limit: babies can wear them, and so can seniors. Many eyecare professionals begin to encourage contact lens wear at age 11 to 14.
The real issue for teens is not age, but whether they are responsible enough to wear and care for contact lenses properly. Parents, teens, and their eyecare practitioner must make this decision together.
• Why not just wear eyeglasses?
Teens are self-conscious, and they often feel more attractive and accepted if they don't have a pair of eyeglasses in front of their eyes. Contact lenses may help teens feel greater self-esteem and more at ease around others. They're also an advantage for active teens who play sports.

Wearing contact lenses can help teenagers feel more self-confident about their appearance.
• How much care do contact lenses require?
Cleaning regimens are easier than ever. Most people use just one bottle of multi-purpose solution and a case. Of course, one type of contact lens — daily disposable — doesn't need a cleaning regimen, because the lenses are tossed in the trash at the end of each day. For this reason, daily disposable contacts are a great vision correction option for most teens.
For contacts that do require care, many eyecare practitioners report that teens and children are more diligent about cleaning their contact lenses than are adults, who after years of wearing them often become more casual about lens care. And young people are more careful about following directions given them by a medical professional.
• Do you need a prescription to get contacts?
Yes. The FDA classifies contact lenses as a medical device. Contacts must fit properly on the eye — if they don't, serious eye health issues can result. That's why they must be fitted by an eyecare practitioner, who will write a prescription for the proper size, shape, power, and brand of lenses.
By law, you need a prescription in order to purchase contact lenses. This is true even if your contacts have no vision correction in them, such as some color contacts or special-effect contacts.
A contact lens fitting is painless and takes very little time. It can be done in conjunction with a regular eye exam.
• Are contact lenses more or less expensive than glasses?
It's impossible to generalize about cost. As with eyeglasses, the cost of contact lenses varies widely, depending on the brand, the prescription, and how often the lenses are replaced. You can always call your eyecare practitioner and ask for a price range. You should also take into account the cost of cleaning supplies and cases, plus the fact that a backup pair of eyeglasses is recommended.
Daily disposable contacts are a special case, because they don't require any cleaning supplies or containers. It depends on the brand and the supplier, but daily disposables usually cost about $1 per day, making them affordable for most people.
• What if a lens gets lost or torn?
Make sure you discuss with your eye doctor what you can do to replace a contact lens that has been torn, damaged or lost. If you wear disposable contacts, you don't have the expense or inconvenience of worrying about a replacement because you'll already have a supply of lenses on hand.

With daily disposable contacts, parents can be sure that their teens have clean lenses on their eyes every morning.
• Are contacts comfortable?
Modern contact lenses are designed to be very comfortable. Most are made of a soft material that is hardly noticeable, if at all, once the lenses are placed on the eyes. Eyecare practitioners have very sophisticated tools for measuring the eyes and making sure the lenses fit well.
Contacts can become uncomfortable over time if they accumulate dirt or allergens that stick to the them. Proper care and cleaning normally prevents this. Of course, this is not a concern with daily disposables such as Proclear 1 Day or ClearSight 1 Day because any accumulated allergens or other lens deposits are discarded with the lens each night.
• Is it difficult to put contact lenses on?
Some people wonder if it will hurt to apply contact lenses to their eyes for the first time. The fear is understandable, and it's related to the reluctance they may have to touch their eyes. But after learning how to insert and remove their lenses, most people find it completely painless, and quite easy to do.
• Are contact lenses safe?
For teens, contact lenses may be safer than eyeglasses in many situations. Unlike glasses, they are unlikely to be damaged during football, basketball, and other rough sports. Plus, if a sport requires safety goggles or a ski mask, it is more convenient and comfortable to wear them over contact lenses than over eyeglasses.
Otherwise, contact lenses are very safe if cared for properly. Your teen shouldn't swap lenses with friends or wear them longer than prescribed, and regular eye exams are important. Remember: if at any time your eyes don't look good, feel good or see well — see your doctor.
• Can a contact lens get stuck behind the eye?
A natural membrane barrier exists between the front and the back of the eye. That could never, ever happen.

Color contact lenses now offer natural-looking eye color change. They come in daily disposable form, too!
• What about color and special effect contact lenses?
These lenses are fun and safe as long as they are properly fitted and prescribed by an eyecare practitioner. Never buy them at a beauty parlor, swap meet, or at any store or online without a prescription. Any retailer who tries to sell you lenses in that way is operating outside of the law and doesn't care about the safety of your eyes.
Remember that if cosmetic contacts are worn only occasionally, they need to be properly stored and disinfected between wearing.
• Is it OK try on a friend's contact lenses?
No, not even if the lenses have no vision correction in them. Dangerous microorganisms that cause serious eye infections can be passed along that way. Most doctors will provide a free trial pair so your teen can see how lenses feel or look.
• Is it okay to sleep in contacts?
Not all contact lenses are designed for overnight wear. Further, not everyone's eyes can adapt to this, even when using the proper lenses. Only an eye care practitioner can judge whether someone is a candidate to sleep in contacts, and no one should sleep with their lenses in unless their eyecare practitioner says it's okay.
In addition, overnight wear also creates a small degree of increased health risk. The healthiest way to wear contacts is to remove and discard them each night.
• What are the different types of contact lenses?
Contact lenses can be grouped together based on several characteristics:
• Lens material: either soft or gas permeable (also called RGPs)
• Wear schedule: that is, whether you take them out to sleep. Lenses can be FDA approved for either daily wear or extended (overnight) wear.
• Replacement schedule: or how often you dispose of them and begin wearing a fresh pair. Disposable lenses are most popular and are replaced every one or two weeks. Daily disposables are discarded each day and require no care, making them a healthy and hassle-free option for teens.
In addition to the above, lenses come in colors and in designs for people who need bifocals, or have astigmatism.

Caught napping? No-care daily disposable contacts can be discarded before sleep, with a clean, new pair inserted after wakening.
• How do I decide on the right lenses?
Your doctor can help you decide which combination of features is right for your teen. In addition to your teen's preferences, the doctor will evaluate his or her eye structure, tears, and visual acuity to determine what lenses will be healthy and comfortable.
• If you have astigmatism or a strong prescription, don't you have to wear glasses instead?
Not any more! That may have been true years ago, but now contact lenses are manufactured in designs that work for nearly everyone, including people with astigmatism. By the way, contact lenses designed for astigmatism are called torics, and they are available as disposables. [Learn about CooperVision's contacts for astigmastism.]
• Is LASIK a better option for teens than contact lenses?
LASIK is not an option for teenagers. The FDA has set the minimum age for laser vision correction at 18 (or 21 for some procedures). One big reason is that teens' eyes may still be changing from one year to the next. For example, during high school and college years, nearsightedness may worsen a bit each year, until the eyes "settle" into a somewhat final prescription around the mid-20s. When the eyes are changing so rapidly, it doesn't make sense to perform LASIK on them, because the effect of the surgery will not last.
• What if contact lenses just don't work out?
Sometimes parents let their teen wear them for a trial period, so they can prove they are ready for the responsibility. If it doesn't work out, the teen can always go back to wearing glasses and re-try contact lenses later on.
Part-time wear is also an option, and daily disposables are especially good for this.

• Be ready to spend an hour or more at the eyecare practitioner's office.
A contact lens fitting is usually performed as part of a complete eye exam. So there will likely be a series of tests for all kinds of things, such as depth perception, near and distance vision, and glaucoma. If you don't know an eyecare practitioner in your area, you can use this list of practitioners who fit CooperVision products.
• Bring sunglasses.
The eyecare practitioner may put in drops to dilate the pupils; this is so he can see the inner structures of the eye to check for diseases or other problems. After dilation, the eyes may be sensitive to light for a few hours.
• Bring a list of questions and ask all of them.
This is your chance to take advantage of your eyecare practitioner's expertise! He will be happy to answer all your questions, so don't hold back, even if you think some of your questions may be trivial.
• Understand that eyeglasses may be the best option for the time being.
Once in a while an eyecare practitioner may feel that a teen isn't ready for contact lenses. Or contacts may not be right for someone's particular prescription or lifestyle. Even if contact lenses are not the best option for now, they may be in a year or so.

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Ever feel like something's not quite right with your contact lenses? You're not alone. But there's no reason to stop wearing contacts, or to suffer in silence. It’s likely that a simple change to your lenses, care products or daily habits will make you much more comfortable.
Keep in mind, though, that these are general suggestions. To accurately determine the specific causes of your discomfort, and appropriate remedies, you need to see your eye care professional. A visit will also rule out the possibility that your discomfort indicates a more serious underlying problem.
Remember: If your eyes don't feel good, look good, or see well, you need a checkup. Sometimes a minor irritation, if left untreated, can develop into a more serious problem — occasionally one that can be sight-threatening.
To start, choose a statement below, or go directly to discomfort remedies.

You don't have to live with uncomfortable contact lenses! Your eye doctor can help.
Situation:
• My eyes are red, painful, swollen and/or produce discharge
• When wearing contacts, I always feel like something is in my eye
• I drink a lot of coffee and/or alcohol, and/or I smoke
• I'm taking over-the-counter or prescription medications
• When wearing contacts, my eyes occasionally feel dry
• I can't wear my contacts as long each day as I'd like
• I have allergies
• I have other medical problems
• I don't follow my doctor's contact lens care instructions
• I spend time in dry or dusty environments
• I use my computer a lot

If you have had trouble wearing contact lenses or have been told you're not a good candidate for contacts, you simply may have eyes that are "hard to fit."
But don't worry — this doesn't mean you can't wear contact lenses. You just need to know your options and how to find an eyecare practitioner (ECP) who has special expertise in contact lens fitting.
Are Your Eyes Hard to Fit?
Any of the following conditions can make contact lens fitting and comfortable contact lens wear more challenging:
• Keratoconus
• Astigmatism
• Dry eyes
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)
• Post-refractive surgery (such as LASIK)
• Presbyopia
If you have (or suspect you have) any of these conditions and you want to wear contacts, visit an eyecare professional who specializes in contact lenses and welcomes hard-to-fit patients. Contact lens specialists usually are more aware of the latest contact lens technology and options than a general eye doctor. Many also use advanced equipment that can measure your cornea more precisely to achieve the best contact lens fit possible.
Contact Lenses for Keratoconus
If you have keratoconus, most contact lens specialists will recommend gas permeable contact lenses (also called GP, rigid gas permeable or RGP lenses). Since GP lenses are made of a non-pliable material, they retain their shape on the eye. Because of this feature, gas permeable contacts replace the irregular surface of a keratoconic cornea with a smooth, uniform surface to focus light and sharpen vision.
Sometimes an eye with keratoconus is too sensitive and unable to adapt to gas permeable lenses. In these cases, a fitting technique called "piggybacking" may be used. First the cornea is fitted with a soft contact lens, and then a GP lens is fitted over the soft lens. Because the soft lens acts like a cushion, piggybacking can make gas permeable contact lenses more comfortable for people with keratoconus.
Another option for keratoconus is hybrid contact lenses. These advanced lenses have a gas permeable optical center with a soft ring around it. For many wearers, hybrid contacts offer the clarity of GP lenses and wearing comfort that rivals soft lenses. Special hybrid lens designs are available specifically for eyes with keratoconus.
Still another contact lens option for keratoconus is scleral GP lenses. These large gas permeable lenses vault over the irregular surface of the cornea and rest on the white sclera of the eye. The large diameter of scleral lenses provides a more stable fit than regular gas permeable lenses on highly irregular corneas with keratoconus.

Scleral GP contact lens for the correction of keratoconus. Image: Boston Foundation for Sight.
Contact Lenses for People With Astigmatism
Toric contact lenses are specially designed to correct astigmatism. Fitting toric lenses is more difficult than fitting regular soft lenses for nearsightedness or farsightedness because these lenses must move adequately during blinks while remaining aligned in a specific way without rotating. Sometimes, several toric lenses must be tried to obtain the best possible fit, vision and comfort.
Toric contact lenses for astigmatism are available in both soft and gas permeable lens materials. Custom designs are available for people with unusual types or high amounts of astigmatism. Because they are custom-made, these lenses can cost significantly more than standard toric lenses and may require a longer delivery time.
Hybrid contact lenses also are a good solution for astigmatism, especially for people who want the clarity of GP lenses but desire a lens that feels more like a soft lens.
Contact Lenses for People With Dry Eyes
Studies suggest that up to 20 percent of Americans have chronic dry eyes. This common condition is why many people are told they can't wear contact lenses. Dry eye discomfort also forces many contact lens wearers to discontinue wearing their lenses.
Symptoms of dry eyes include:
• Feeling as if something is in your eye
• Tearing for no reason
• Frequent red or burning eyes
• Having very watery tears
If you have chronically dry eyes, soft contact lenses may dry out on your eyes and cause discomfort. To combat this problem, some new soft contacts are designed specifically for people with dry eyes. These lenses retain moisture better than other soft lenses, for longer periods of wearing comfort.
Many contact lens specialists prefer fitting gas permeable contact lenses on people with dry eyes. GP lenses are smaller and don't absorb moisture from your eyes like soft lenses do, and therefore may cause less dryness.
Your eyecare practitioner may recommend treating your dry eye condition prior to contact lens fitting. Treatment may involve the use of artificial tears, medicated eye drops to help you produce more tears and dietary supplements for eye nutrition.
Your eye doctor may consider punctal plugs as part of your dry eye treatment. These tiny collagen or silicone devices are inserted into the tear drainage ducts near the inner margin of your eyelids to block tears from leaving the surface of your eyes. By keeping more tears on your eyes, punctal plugs often can improve contact lens comfort.
The procedure, called punctal occlusion or lacrimal occlusion, takes only a few minutes and is painless. Once the plugs are inserted, most people can't even feel them.
Read more about solving contact lens discomfort from dry eyes.
Contact Lenses for Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is an inflammatory reaction caused by proteins secreted in your tears. This inflammatory reaction causes lid glands to secrete substances that create a filmy coating on contact lenses, making them uncomfortable and creating vision problems.
Practitioners have several options to fit a person who has GPC. Sometimes soft daily disposable contact lenses will do the trick. Because you discard these lenses after just a single day of wear, there's not much time for protein deposits to accumulate on disposable lenses.
Gas permeable lenses also are a good option. Proteins don't adhere to GP lenses as easily as they do to soft lenses, so gas permeable lenses stay cleaner and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Daily cleaning of gas permeable lenses generally will keep them free of residue, whereas soft lenses tend to retain protein deposits over time, even with proper care and cleaning.
A practitioner also may prescribe medicated eye drops to reduce the allergic reaction that causes GPC.
Contact Lenses After LASIK and Other Corrective Eye Surgery
It may seem odd even to consider contact lenses after corrective eye surgery. After all, aren't LASIK and other procedures supposed to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts?
Theoretically, yes. But LASIK doesn't always provide perfect vision. And sometimes, a second surgery to sharpen vision is not an option. In these cases, contact lenses may be in order.
For example, if you have very high astigmatism prior to LASIK, you may need toric lenses to correct a lesser degree of astigmatism that may remain after surgery. Soft lenses can work well for this, and specially designed gas permeable and hybrid contact lenses are also an option.
If you've had LASIK performed in a monovision fashion — with one eye corrected for distance and the other for near — occasionally you may want to wear a contact lens on the "near eye" so both eyes can see clearly in the distance for sports, driving at night and other activities that require the best possible vision.
Contact lenses also can help to address LASIK complications, such as indistinct vision from higher-order aberrations after surgery. Gas permeable or hybrid contact lenses are usually the preferred lenses for this problem. Excessive glare is another potential problem following LASIK. Here, too, GP contact lenses and hybrid contacts usually are your best choice. These lenses often provide sharper night vision than soft contact lenses after surgery.
Keep in mind that fitting contact lenses after LASIK or other corrective surgery may require more trial lenses and a longer period of time than fitting contact lenses on an eye that hasn't been surgically altered. Read more about contact lenses after refractive surgery.

Contact Lenses for Presbyopia
Bifocal contact lenses and monovision are contact lens options for people who are hard to fit because of presbyopia.
Like bifocal and progressive eyeglass lenses, bifocal and multifocal contacts have a more complex design than regular lenses, and precise fitting is essential for good results. Therefore, finding the best contact lenses to correct presbyopia typically is a more time-consuming and costly process than a regular contact lens fitting. The same is true for monovision contact lens fittings.
But the result usually is worth the extra time and expense. Improvements in multifocal contacts have increased satisfaction with these lenses in recent years, and most wearers are very pleased about how the lenses decrease their dependence on reading glasses.
Expect Higher Fees for Hard-To-Fit Contact Lens Services
Expect to pay more when you visit an eye care practitioner who specializes in contact lenses for the hard-to-fit person. You're paying for the time involved, the practitioner's special expertise and the advanced type of lenses you'll receive.
For some hard-to-fit cases, a fitting fee of several hundred dollars is not unusual, and fitting fees often do not include the cost of your lenses.
Additional Resources
To find an eye care practitioner in your area who specializes in contact lenses, visit our Find an Eye Doctor page.
Types of Contact Lenses:
• Bifocal Contact Lenses provide clear vision and varying distances
• Colored Contact Lenses give your eyes a subtle or dramatic change
• Custom Contact Lenses could work for you if other options fail
• Disposable Contact Lenses enable a healthier lens-wearing experience
• Extended Wear Contact Lenses for safe overnight wear or naps
• Gas Permeable (GP) Contact Lenses for the ultimate in crisp vision
• Monovision might work for you if bifocal contact lenses don't
• Orthokeratology Lenses enable contact lens-free vision during the day
• Prosthetic Contact Lenses mask eye injury or disfigurements
• Silicone Hydrogel Contacts transmit more oxygen to your eyes
• Special-Effect Contact Lenses let you become a leopard or cheetah
• Toric Contact Lenses provide good vision if you have astigmatism
News About Contact Lenses
• Though Many Parents Are Reluctant, Research Shows Children Can Benefit From Contact Lens Wear
• September 4, 2009 — In a new survey, more than half of parents with children ages 8-17 say their child is interested in wearing contact lenses.
• However, nearly one-third of those parents have never considered contacts for their child, and another 27 percent haven't considered it seriously.
• The two main reasons were their concern about their child's ability to care for contact lenses and their belief that eyeglasses are easier to clean and take care of.
• However, studies demonstrate that children are capable of caring for soft contact lenses, and contacts may improve self-perception for girls, in particular.
• The survey was conducted on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., the manufacturer of Acuvue brand contact lenses.
• More contact lens news >

About Contact Lenses
Modern contact lenses fall into two categories: soft lenses that are made from water-containing plastics, and GP or "oxygen permeable" rigid contact lenses.
Contact lenses may also be classified by wearing schedule. Daily wear contacts must be removed, cleaned and stored each night, while extended wear contact lenses are made from materials which are safe for sleep. You may also have heard of "continuous wear" contact lenses, a type of extended wear lens that can be worn for up to 30 days.
Various contact lens designs are available for different vision problems. Spherical contact lenses correct nearsightedness or farsightedness and are indicated by a minus or plus in your prescription, respectively. Bifocal contact lenses are similar to multifocal eyeglasses in that they use different optical zones to correct presbyopia (the decreased ability see at both near and far distances). Toric contact lenses correct astigmatism, which can accompany either nearsightedness or farsightedness.
All of the contact lenses mentioned above can be custom fabricated for unusual prescriptions, and many other contact lens designs are available as well, including designs for conditions like keratoconus.
Contact Lens Designs
Many lens designs come in colors that can enhance or change your natural eye color. Special-effect contact lenses are also available for novelty use and are used extensively in theatrical and filmed productions. Prosthetic lenses are colored contact lenses that can cosmetically mask eye disfigurement. Many contact lenses come with an embedded UV inhibitor as well.
Which is the Right Contact Lens for You?
Contact lenses should do three things: provide clear vision, properly fit your cornea, and address any personal issues or preferences you may have.
Contact lenses come in tens of thousands of combinations of size, shape and power, to ensure comfortable fit and great vision. Your eye care practitioner will evaluate your eyes to determine which lens is right for you, and will take into account your special needs such as dry eyes, a desire for color change or the need for overnight wear