Contact Lenses

During a contact lens evaluation, the eye doctor will assess your vision and the health of your eyes. They will also take measurements of your eyes, including the size and shape of your corneas (the front surface of your eyes). These measurements are used to determine the appropriate size, shape, and curvature of the contact lenses that will best fit your eyes. Additionally, the eye doctor may also test the individual's tear production and evaluate their overall eye health to determine if they have any conditions that may affect their ability to wear contact lenses, such as dry eyes or allergies.

The doctor may also discuss your lifestyle and visual needs with you to help determine the best type of contact lenses for you. For example, if you are involved in sports or other physical activities, the eye doctor may recommend contact lenses that are designed for those activities. 

A contact lens evaluation is an important step in the process of getting fitted for contact lenses. It is recommended that you have a contact lens evaluation at least every year to ensure that your contact lenses are still the best fit for your eyes and to check for any changes in your vision or eye health.

Types of Contact Lenses

Gas permeable (GP) contact lenses are a type of hard contact lens that is made of a rigid, gas-permeable material. Unlike traditional hard contact lenses, which do not allow oxygen to pass through them, GP lenses allow oxygen to reach the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This makes them more comfortable to wear and helps to prevent eye irritation and other problems.

GP lenses are generally smaller in diameter than traditional hard contact lenses, which allows them to cover only the cornea and not the white part of the eye (sclera). This allows for more oxygen to reach the eye and can help to reduce the risk of infection.

GP lenses are commonly used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They are also often used to treat certain conditions such as keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, and presbyopia, a condition that occurs as people age and causes difficulty focusing on close objects.

Overall, gas permeable contact lenses are a safe and effective option for correcting vision and treating certain eye conditions. They may take some time to get used to, but many people find them to be more comfortable and easier to wear than traditional hard contact lenses.

Soft contact lenses are a type of contact lens that are made of a soft, gel-like substance called hydrogel, which allows oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the cornea. This makes them more comfortable to wear and helps to prevent eye irritation and other problems.

Soft contact lenses are commonly used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They are also often used to treat certain conditions such as presbyopia, a condition that occurs as people age and causes difficulty focusing on close objects, and dry eye syndrome, a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly.

There are several different types of soft contact lenses available, including daily wear lenses, extended wear lenses, and disposable lenses. Daily wear lenses are worn during the day and must be removed at night, while extended wear lenses can be worn for several days or even weeks at a time. Disposable lenses are worn for a specific period of time and then thrown away, and do not need to be cleaned or disinfected like other types of lenses.

Overall, soft contact lenses are a safe and effective option for correcting vision and treating certain eye conditions. They are easy to insert and remove, and many people find them to be more comfortable and convenient to wear than other types of contact lenses.

Scleral lenses are large, rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses that are designed to cover the entire cornea (the front surface of the eye) and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). They are typically used to correct vision in people with certain corneal conditions or in people who have irregularly shaped corneas. They may be a good option for individuals who:

• Have keratoconus or other corneal conditions that cause the cornea to become thin or irregularly shaped, resulting in distorted vision

• Have scarring on the cornea due to injury or surgery

• Have dry eye syndrome and are unable to wear traditional contact lenses

• Have had a corneal transplant and need a lens that will not damage the transplanted tissue

Scleral lenses are made of a hard, durable material that holds their shape well and allows oxygen to pass through to the cornea. They are custom-made to fit the unique curvature of each person's eyes and are typically larger in diameter than traditional contact lenses.

Scleral lenses are often used as an alternative to eyeglasses or traditional contact lenses in people who have difficulty seeing clearly due to corneal conditions. They can provide clear, stable vision and can help protect the cornea from further damage. However, scleral lenses can be more difficult to insert and remove than traditional contact lenses, and they may take some time to get used to wearing.

The process for fitting scleral lenses involves several steps and may take multiple visits to the eye doctor. Here is an overview of the process:

1. Eye exam: The first step in the process is to have a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you are a good candidate for scleral lenses and to assess the health of your eyes. Your eye doctor will measure the size and shape of your eyes and check for any underlying eye conditions or diseases that may affect your ability to wear scleral lenses.

2. Lens selection: After the eye exam, your eye doctor will help you select the appropriate scleral lens for your needs. Scleral lenses are custom-made to fit the unique curvature of each person's eyes, so it is important to choose a lens that is properly sized and shaped for your eyes.

3. Lens fitting: Once the appropriate lens has been selected, your eye doctor will fit the lens to your eye. This may involve adjusting the lens to ensure that it fits properly and is comfortable to wear.

4. Follow-up visits: It is common to need one or more follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit of the scleral lenses and ensure that they provide clear, stable vision. Your eye doctor will also provide instructions on how to properly care for and maintain your scleral lenses.

Overall, the process of fitting scleral lenses can take several visits to the eye doctor and may require some adjustment and training to get used to wearing the lenses. It is important to follow your eye doctor's instructions and to attend all follow-up visits as scheduled to ensure that the lenses are fitting properly and providing the desired vision correction.