Contact Lens Services
Contact lenses are a comfortable, convenient option for correcting vision without glasses. Whether you need lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia, a proper fitting by an eye doctor ensures you get the right type for your eyes. Find an eye doctor near you to discuss which contact lens option fits your needs.
Soft contact lenses are the most widely prescribed type and are made from flexible, water-containing plastics called hydrogels or silicone hydrogels. They conform to the shape of your eye, making them comfortable for most wearers right from the start. These lenses come in daily disposable, bi-weekly, and monthly options and can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Rigid gas permeable lenses, often called RGP lenses, are made from firm plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the cornea. They tend to deliver sharper vision than soft lenses, especially for people with astigmatism or uneven corneal surfaces. RGP lenses take a short break-in period to adjust to, but they are very durable and easier to keep clean over time.
Scleral lenses are large-diameter gas permeable lenses that vault over the entire surface of the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye. By creating a smooth optical surface, they work well for people with irregular corneal shapes, severe dryness, or eyes that have had previous corneal surgery. Their larger size also helps keep the lens stable and comfortable throughout the day.
Specialty contact lenses are designed for patients whose vision needs cannot be met by standard lens options. These include lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea for clear daytime vision, lenses with multiple prescription zones for reading and distance, and lenses shaped to correct astigmatism. Your eye doctor can recommend the right specialty option based on your prescription and daily habits.
When to See a Contact Lens Specialist
Redness, ongoing discomfort, blurred vision, or dryness that keeps coming back while wearing contact lenses are signs worth taking seriously. A professional evaluation is also a smart step if you have been told you are hard to fit, have an unusual corneal shape, or want to try specialty lens options. Eye care providers in this directory can help you find the right lens, even for more challenging cases.
Contact Lens
Co-Management
Optometrists who provide contact lens co-management work closely with specialty lens fitters and cornea specialists to coordinate your care. They help monitor your lens fit, track corneal health over time, manage follow-up visits, and ensure your contact lens prescription stays up to date between specialty appointments. If more than one provider is involved in your care, co-management keeps things organized and consistent.
Contact Lens Exams and Fittings
A contact lens exam goes beyond a standard eye exam to evaluate the shape, size, and health of your cornea. Your eye doctor uses specialized measurements , including corneal topography (a detailed map of your cornea's shape) and tear film assessment (how well your eyes stay moist), to determine the best lens type and fit for your eyes. A proper fitting helps ensure comfort, clear vision, and long-term eye health with your contact lenses. Find a practice near you that offers contact lens fittings.
Contact Lens Types and Options
Today's contact lenses come in a wide variety of materials, designs, and wearing schedules. Options include daily disposables, extended wear lenses, lenses shaped for astigmatism, lenses for reading and distance, and specialty lenses for irregular corneas. An eye doctor can recommend the best lens type based on your prescription, lifestyle, and eye health.
When the eyes do not make enough tears, or when tears dry up faster than usual, contact lenses can feel gritty or irritating throughout the day. This is one of the most common reasons wearers experience discomfort, and it often gets worse toward the end of a long wearing session. Choosing the right lens material and treating the root cause of the dryness can make a meaningful difference in daily comfort.
Bacteria, fungi, or other organisms can get trapped between a lens and the eye, leading to a painful infection. Habits like sleeping in lenses that are not approved for overnight wear, rinsing lenses with tap water, or reusing old solution raise the risk considerably. Symptoms include redness, pain, discharge, and sensitivity to light, and seeing an eye doctor quickly is important to protect the cornea from lasting harm.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis, or GPC, is an inflammatory reaction of the inner eyelid that can develop from ongoing contact lens wear. Small bumps form on the underside of the upper eyelid, causing itching, mucus buildup, and growing difficulty tolerating lenses. Switching to daily disposable lenses, improving lens hygiene, or taking a break from wearing lenses altogether often helps the condition calm down.
Wearing lenses longer than your eye doctor recommends reduces the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea, causing swelling, redness, and blurred vision. In more serious cases, the cornea may begin to grow new blood vessels in an attempt to get more oxygen, which can lead to lasting complications. Sticking to your prescribed wearing schedule every day is the best way to prevent these problems from developing.
Related Contact Lens Conditions
Several conditions can affect your ability to wear contact lenses comfortably. Knowing the signs of these issues early can help you work with a local eye doctor to find a solution before discomfort becomes a bigger problem.
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Contact Lens Topics
Learn more about the lens types, fitting options, and care practices used in contact lens services. Select a topic below to explore further.
