Choosing contact lenses is more than deciding between daily or monthly options. The right lenses should match your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and other factors unique to you.
With so many choices available today, it’s easier than ever to find contacts that feel natural and provide crisp, reliable vision. If it’s your first time choosing contacts, it can also be confusing.
As a leading provider of state-of-the-art contact lenses, Curtis Frank, OD, is skilled in finding the right lenses for everyone at Vision and Ortho-K Center.
Here, he offers a few simple tips to help guide you as you select your new lenses, so they turn out to be all you expect and more.
Most people know the importance of having regular eye exams, but if you want to wear contacts, you need a special type of exam called a contact lens exam.
This exam evaluates your vision and eye health just like a regular comprehensive eye exam, and it goes a step further to help ensure you get the right lenses that suit your vision and your lifestyle.
During the exam, Dr. Frank measures the curvature of your cornea to ensure your lenses fit comfortably. He also evaluates your eye health, including lens wear and issues such as dry eyes or allergies.
These factors help determine which lenses are the best choice. Your lens exam forms the foundation for clear vision and comfortable wear all day long.
At your contact lens visit, Dr. Frank considers lifestyle issues, too. For instance, if you spend a lot of time staring at a computer, you might benefit from a lens style designed to hold moisture to help prevent dry eye symptoms.
If you have a very active lifestyle, you might do better with lenses that stay stable during movement.
Eye allergy symptoms might benefit from daily wear lenses that are discarded at the end of wear.
Discussing your lifestyle and work environment plays a big role in ensuring your lenses are appropriate and comfortable.
Dr. Frank determines your prescription needs based on your eye exam results, but that’s not the only decision that needs to be made when selecting contacts.
Daily, weekly, and monthly disposable lenses are popular with many people, while others benefit from lenses that last longer or address specific needs.
During your contact lens exam, Dr. Frank narrows down the list based on the lens types that are most suitable for you.
Contact lenses have direct contact with your eye, so it makes sense that caring for lenses plays an essential role in killing germs, removing debris, and preventing serious eye problems.
Different types of lenses require different care routines, so it’s a good idea to review these differences when making your lens selection.
While daily disposables have the simplest routine, other lenses require careful cleansing between each use. They also need to be stored in their case, and the case needs regular cleaning, as well.
Of course, convenience comes at a price — daily disposables tend to be the most expensive option. Considering your budget and your insurance benefits is part of the equation, too.
After making your selection, Dr. Frank orders your contacts and schedules a contact lens fitting appointment. During that visit, he expertly fits your lenses to ensure they’re comfortable.
Despite all these steps, you might find that you don’t like the option you chose. That’s absolutely fine — after all, your vision and eye comfort are paramount to your own health and wellness, so trying out different options can be a good way to make sure your lenses are optimally suited to your needs and preferences.
Contact lenses can provide clear vision without the hassles of glasses, and specialty lenses can be a great option for people with specific needs. Our personalized approach to contact lens selection helps ensure your contacts support comfortable vision all day long.
To learn more about contact lenses, request an appointment with Dr. Frank and the team at Vision and Ortho-K Center in Boston, Massachusetts, today.
