Contact lenses are a practical choice if you need vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Contacts fit right over the cornea and provide a more natural appearance. When you wear contacts, you don't need to worry about your vision being obstructed by an eyeglass frame or dirty lenses. Contact lenses are also an excellent option for those who don't want to wear eyeglasses all the time or endure LASIK surgery to improve their vision. If you are interested in getting a pair of contact lenses, schedule a contact lens exam with our optometrists at Stine Eye Center in Weston.
Types of Contact Lenses
- Daily disposable lenses- this type of contact needs to be removed after one day of wear. They are the most convenient when it comes to contact lenses.
- Extended wear- typically, extended-wear contacts can be worn up to a week without removing them. "Continuous wear" contact lenses refer to those that can be worn up to a period of 30 consecutive days without removal, which is the maximum length of time approved by the FDA for extended wear contact lenses.
Designs of Contact Lenses
- Spherical Contact Lenses- These have similar lens power throughout the optical part of the lens to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- Toric- these are soft contact lenses that are mainly intended to rectify astigmatism. These contacts also correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. Toric lenses carry distinctive powers in different meridians of the lens.
- Multifocal contact lenses – Multifocal lenses can correct refractive errors in vision, astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. These lenses also have different power zones for presbyopia, the loss of near focusing ability that occurs with age.
- Orthokeratology lenses- These are intended for restructuring the cornea overnight, rectifying daytime vision without having to wear eyeglasses or lenses.
- Rigid gas permeable lenses – These lenses are harder than soft contact lenses, allowing them to better retain their shape and position in the eye. RGP lenses are beneficial to patients with keratoconus, since they minimize distortion produced by the cone-shaped cornea.
What to Expect During A Contact Lens Fitting
First, our eye doctors will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine your prescription. The contact lens fitting will follow. A high level of customization is necessary for the best contact lenses. Our optometrist will perform several tests to measure the size and curvature of the parts of your eye to ensure that your contacts will fit properly. Finally, our optometrists will provide a tear film evaluation to ensure that you are making enough tears to maintain proper lubrication. During your fitting, our eye doctors will discuss different lens options available to you.
Visit Us for a Contact Lens Exam from Our Optometrists in Weston, WI
Whether you are interested in contact lenses or need an annual eye exam, our team at Stine Eye Center is here to help. Our team is committed to providing patients in and around the Weston area with the professional eye care they need for maintaining optimal vision. If you need to schedule a contact lens exam, call us at 715-241- 2020 to see our optometrists.