First-time contact lens wearer? Here’s what to expect

Examination and fitting

Before placing any contact lens on the eye, the doctor will make sure that you are a good candidate for contact lenses. Afterward, the doctor will try different trial lenses to fine-tune the prescription to your needs. Then, a trained team member will teach you how to safely insert and remove the contact lens from the eye, as well as how to care for the lenses.

What to know about contact lenses

Contact lenses, just like anything else, have their own pros and cons. Choosing to get disposable contact lenses is up to personal preference, but for those who do not know their preference, here are some things to keep in mind:

Benefits of contact lenses:

• Makes active life worry-free: no need to worry about scratching your glasses outside

• Improved vision: Some patients see better through their contact lenses than glasses, especially much higher prescriptions 

• New fashion availability with non-prescription sunglasses: glasses don’t go with your outfit? No worries with your contact lenses

Tradeoffs:

• No UV protection: glasses will have a lens material and an anti-reflective coating with UV protection over the entire eye

• Those with dry eye symptoms may have their symptoms worsen with the lenses. These can be managed with the right dry eye treatments and proper lens selection

• Added responsibility of caring for the lenses and your eyes

Different types of contact lenses

Based on your visual needs, we will fit you with lenses that are specifically chosen to be perfect for you:

• Daily disposable lenses available in spherical, astigmatism, and multifocal

• Monthly replacement lenses available in spherical, astigmatism, and multifocal

• Multifocal options for clarity at distance and near

• Specialty contact lenses such as scleral lenses, soft custom lenses, and Orthokeratology lenses

• Colored contact lenses

Caring for your contact lenses

Contact lenses are considered medical devices that should be handled with care. Here are a few do’s and don’t’s for those starting out:

DO: Wash your reusable contacts/change out your dailies, only handle contacts with clean hands, be gentle, and take your time

DO NOT: sleep in your contact lenses, swim in your contact lenses, reuse your contact lens fluid, use saliva to rewet your lenses, reinsert if the eye is irritated after removal

How can you get contact lenses

After your exam and when you are comfortable in your contacts, you’re able to directly order from us and have your annual supply shipped to your home. If you have received your annual eye exam and refraction within the last 6 months, consider scheduling your contact lens fitting with our office. If you haven’t, you can schedule both for the same appointment. Dr. Anne Valdez 725-220-2020