Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses for correcting refractive errors. A contact lens is a clear, thin disc that fits perfectly over the front of the eye, also known as the cornea. There are numerous kinds of contact lenses available to fit almost any patient’s needs.
Longmeadow Optical is prepared to meet all your contact lens needs. We keep a large inventory of trials for the newest designs available, including toric and multi focal contacts. We also provide services for more specialized needs such as astigmatism presbyopia and will counsel you with every option available, enabling you to make a well informed decision. Contact lens related injuries, such as abrasions or infections, are handled on an emergency basis so that we can make you comfortable again as soon as possible. Thank you for entrusting your eyes to our care.
Multi-focal Contacts
Like multi-focal eyeglass lenses, multi-focal contacts contain different strengths on the same contact lens, providing the wearer improved near and far visions. These can be obtained on contact lenses in many ways. One way is by arranging the contact lens much like a bifocal, with near-vision correction on the bottom of the lens, and far-vision correction on the top. Another is by arranging the different strengths in a “concentric” pattern – where near-vision and far-vision correction strengths are placed in rings beginning from the center of the contact lens and moving outward – or in a “spherical” pattern, where the entire surface of the contact lens is a gradual progression from one strength in the center to another strength on the outer edges of the lens. Regardless of the pattern, the underlying principle is the same: the wearer’s eye receives multiple visual signals from the different strengths on the contact lens, but learns to effectively ignore any but the most useful image depending on the situation.
Care of Contact Lenses
To help maintain the healthiness of your eyes and superior vision, it is important that you carefully follow the instructions of properly caring for your contact lenses.
- Always wash your hands with soap before handling your contact lenses.
- Before inserting your contact lens into your eye, use a contact cleansing solution to cleanse thoroughly.
- Always insert contacts prior to applying any cosmetics.
- After inserting your contacts into your eyes, empty your contact case and rinse thoroughly with warm water, and allow it to air dry.
- Never wear your contacts overnight, as it may lead to an infection in the cornea.
office wished to maximise your success with contact lens wear to ensure both good vision and comfort. The material and design of your contact lenses has been chosen after careful consideration and evaluation by your doctor. Each lens type has a specific replacement schedule to ensure good corneal health.
Instructions for the Care and Handling of Soft Contact Lenses
In the beginning it is normal if:
- Your eyes itch or feel funny.
- Your are more aware of one lens than the other.
- Your vision seems fuzzier than with glasses.
- You have better vision in one eye than the other.
- You have trouble handling your lenses.
Remove your lenses immediately if:
- You develop unusual pain or redness.
- You develop usually foggy or cloudy vision.
- You experiencing a decrease in vision that does not clear up.
- You suspect something is wrong.
Wearing a lens that is uncomfortable or in a manner other than directed by the above guidelines increases your risk for infection and inflammation. These complications may lead to scarring of the cornea and permanent vision loss. It is important to have a pair of glasses available in case you develop an eye health problem that necessitates temporary discontinuation of wear. Our office will require a full examination every one to two years as directed by your doctor to continue authorizing refills of your prescription.