Our practice can fit all types of contact lenses, including specialty lenses for those with astigmatism, bifocals, and hard to fit patients.  With our thorough fitting we can determine which contact lens is best for your visual needs.

A contact fitting involves tests and procedures beyond those performed during a standard comprehensive eye examination. These specialized tests and procedures will allow us to determine if your eyes are suited for lens wear. Your eye and general health will be evaluated for any conditions which may not allow for safe lens wear.

A contact lens fitting will determine the type and measurements of the most suitable contact lens for you. Our goal is to find the best possible fit to ensure optimum vision, comfort and safety with your new contact lenses. A series of important follow-up visits have been designed to maintain continuous eye health, accurate contact lens fit and optimum visual acuity. During these visits, any necessary lens changes or prescription changes are advised.

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What types of contact lenses are available?

Contact lenses are generally categorized as "hard" lenses or "soft" lenses. As the name implies, hard contact lenses are manufactured from a rigid, clear material.  Originally, hard contacts were made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), but modern hard lenses usually combine PMMA with other plastics to increase the oxygen permeability for better eye health.  These new hard lenses are called rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts. Soft contact lenses are made from a plastic hydrogel polymer, hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and have a high water content for added comfort.

In addition to being categorized as either "hard" or "soft," contact lenses may also be identified by their "wearing" characteristics (extended wear, daily wear, disposable, etc.) and according to the type of prescription (toric, aspheric, bifocal, etc.). The following descriptions are those generally used by the ophthalmic community in describing the various types of contacts lenses.

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Daily wear soft lenses
These lenses are made of flexible, soft plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eye. They are easy to get used to and comfortable to wear. Because they fit close to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge, they are often recommended for sports. They won't work to correct all vision problems and may not provide the sharp vision required by some wearers. They also require daily removal and cleaning.

Disposable soft lenses
Disposable soft lenses are normally worn for one or two weeks and then discarded. Disposable soft contact lenses in general are a healthier lens choice when compared to conventional daily wear lenses. Disposable lenses virtually eliminate the experience of gradual deterioration, discomfort, irritation, or eye infections from contact lens use. With disposables, you will always experience fresh contact lenses. Not only are these lenses more comfortable, they are more convenient and quite cost effective. They are easy to get used to and comfortable to wear. Because they fit close to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge, they are often recommended for sports. They won't work to correct all vision problems and may not provide the sharp vision required by some wearers. They also require daily removal and cleaning, but they require less cleaning than daily wear soft lenses.

Daily wear disposable soft lenses
One day disposable contact lenses are the most exciting development to occur in soft lenses in the last few years. Recent studies have shown that the newer one day contact lenses are the safest soft contact lens offered. It is the simplest soft contact lens solution - wear for one day and throw them away. This is the best modality for patients who are sensitive to solutions, wear lenses only for special activities such as sports, have a history of contact lens infections or anyone that wants the healthiest soft contact lenses. Wearing one day lenses cuts out the average cost of $130 a year spent on cleaning supplies for soft contact lenses.

Planned replacement soft lenses
These contact lenses are replaced on a planned schedule, usually every two weeks, monthly, or quarterly. They are available for most prescriptions and require minimal care because they are frequently replaced.

Extended-wear lenses
Either soft or RGP lenses, these can usually be worn for up to 7 days without removal. Because of the continuous wear, more frequent visits to the eye doctor for follow-up care may be required.

Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses (RGPs)
RGP's are one of the healthiest contact lenses available because they allow for the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the contact lens, hence the term gas permeable. RGP's are custom made for each eye and have the added benefits of lasting sometimes 2-3 years and providing the clearest vision possible. 

Daily wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses
RGP lenses are manufactured from slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through. These lenses may provide sharper vision than soft lenses and can be used to correct most vision problems. They are also more durable and easier to care for, but often require a longer adaptation period.

Myopic Reduction RGPs (Ortho-K)
Myopic reduction lenses, technically called orthokeratology (Ortho-K) are specially designed to eliminate near-sightedness during the day without the need for glasses or contact lens wear.  These lenses are worn at night during your sleep and gently reshape the surface of your eye so that when they are removed on awakening, you can see clearly--without glasses or contacts!  Your eye will hold its new shape for perfect vision all day long.  This option is perfect for anyone who does not want the inconvenience of glasses or contacts.  Ortho-K lenses can also stop the fast progression of near-sightedness in children.  Click here for more information.

Spherical contact lenses
Soft or hard contact lens that contain a single prescription power.

Aspheric contact lenses
Premium contact lenses for borderline astigmatic patients and for those who are just beginning to develop presbyopia.

Toric contact lenses
Soft or hard contact lenses that contain both a spherical and cylinder component to correct prescriptions that have astigmatism. These lenses may be thicker in one area than another in order to maintain correct orientation on the eye.

Bifocal contact lenses
Like bifocal eyeglasses, bifocal contact lenses are designed to provide sharp vision up close and at a distance. Several different designs are available depending on the specific needs and adaptability of the patient.

Monovision contact lenses
A term sometimes used in a special contact lens fitting technique that is an alternative to bifocal contacts. Using this technique, the eye doctor fits a near vision contact for reading in one eye and a distance vision contact in the other. The technique is very effective for some patients, but does require some adaptation and sometimes results in compromised depth perception.