Contact Lenses: FAQs
Contacts are a popular alternative to glasses for correcting refractive errors in your sight. If you’re tired of wearing glasses, check out what contacts have to offer. These FAQs from Wilken Family Eye Care serving residents in Coppell, TX Flower Mound, TX and Lewisville, TX, provide greater insight into contact lenses so you can decide if they’re the right eye wear for you.
Who can wear contact lenses?
Most people can wear contacts comfortably and safely to improve their sight. Contacts can correct many problems, including myopia (nearsightedness), farsightedness, and astigmatism. They can also just give you a break from wearing glasses.
If you’re prone to eye infections, have severe dry eye, suffer from eye allergies, or have certain eye conditions, however, you may not be able to tolerate wearing contacts. Your Coppell/Lewisville eye doctor can help you determine if contacts are a good choice for you.
What are the different types of contact lenses?
Contacts are not “one size fits all.” There are numerous types of contact lenses to suit people’s individual eye care needs. These include soft contact lenses, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses, disposable contacts, extended wear contacts, cosmetic contacts, therapeutic contacts, scleral contacts, hybrid contacts and more.
Soft disposable contact lenses are the most common and most popular type of contacts. RGP lenses are still used, but generally used only by people with eye conditions or difficult prescriptions. Your optometrist can explain more about the different types of contacts and help you decide which would be best for you.
Are eyeglass and contact prescriptions the same?
No. Both types of prescriptions reveal information about the state of your vision. Contact lens prescriptions, however, include vital information about eye health and fitting, because contacts sit on the cornea of your eye. If the cornea of your eye is unhealthy, you may not be a good candidate for contacts. Or if contact lenses begin to take their toll on the cornea, that needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
How frequently do you need to get a contact lens exam?
Contact lens exams must be conducted annually to confirm the health of your eyes. Even without symptoms, your cornea could be suffering from overwear. We look for signs of hypoxia and edema in the cornea to give us clues to whether the contacts may be a bad fit or if you may be over-wearing them. If you use specialty contacts due to eye conditions, you may need to see an eye doctor more often.
Are disposable contacts worth the money?
Disposable contacts are a good choice for most people, as they don’t accumulate bacteria or protein from extensive wear. These contacts are generally worn for a day and then thrown away, eliminating your need for cleansing solutions to keep your contacts disinfected and clean.
Where can I find a qualified eye doctor near me?
Look no further than Wilken Family Eye Care, serving residents in Coppell TX, Lewisville, TX, Flower Mound TX, Grapevine TX, Carrollton TX, The Colony TX, Southlake TX, Iriving TX, and Corinth TX.
Talk to Your Coppell/Lewisville Eye Doctor about Contacts
To learn more about contacts or to schedule a contact lens evaluation, contact Wilken Family Eye Care at (972)-459-3300. We’re your one stop location for a contact lens evaluation or eye exam.