Contact Lenses

If you’re looking for more versatility in your everyday eyewear or are just tired of wearing glasses, contacts are an excellent alternative. While contacts can be used as a primary source of vision correction, some patients utilize them as a secondary for special occasions, sports, or even weekends. We want you to be comfortable and still have flexibility in your busy schedules. If you’re interested in wearing contact lenses, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our doctor to begin the process.

The Technology is Here

Contact lens technology has advanced to a level that most anyone who needs vision correction may be able to enjoy the comfort and convenience of contacts. Whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or even need bifocals, there are contact lenses designed for you. In addition to correcting vision for more prescriptions, contact lenses are much easier to care for today too. The hassle associated with cleaning reusable lenses has been replaced by the convenience of extended wear and daily disposable lens technology.

CONTACT LENSES FOR THE FIRST TIME WEARER

Your eye is like a fingerprint, with its own unique shape, contours and characteristics. To determine the contact lens that's the most appropriate and comfortable for you and your lifestyle, Dr. Bansal will take her time to understand, evaluate and perform the following steps:

INITIAL EVALUATION APPOINTMENT

During your contact lens evaluation, the doctor will have a conversation with you to determine which type of contact lens is best suited for your eyes. She will also determine the accurate prescription necessary to correct your vision, and learn about any other relevant eye conditions, like astigmatism, dry eyes, corneal issues, or allergies.

LIFESTYLE ASSESSMENT

We then want to talk with you about your lifestyle. Do you work at a computer all day? Are you an avid reader? Do you want the option of wearing contacts for special occasions, like when you’re working out? Is fishing and being on the water your thing? Would you prefer to wear your contacts for longer periods of time?

INSERTION AND REMOVAL TRAINING

Only if you have not been trained on wearing contact lenses in the past OR if you need additional support and training from our staff. Our patient team will work with you one on one and show you how to safely insert and remove your new lenses with each hand since dexterity can be an issue for some people. We will go through all the safety protocols in detail.

FINAL VISION, FIT & COMFORT CHECK

Once you have had the chance to wear your contacts for about a week, we will schedule a follow-up appointment with the doctor. The purpose of this is to ensure your lenses are working optimally and fitting comfortably.

FOR FIRST TIME WEARERS

WHAT IS AN "I&R"?

In the contact lens world, I&R refers to "Insertion & Removal Training" for contact lens wearers. We provide this service to new contact lens wearers, those requiring additional assistance if contact lenses have not been worn for a long time, or even those patients who did not succeed in the past and are motivated to try again.

LEARN MORE

Overview of Visit

The training is done on a one-on-one basis with our trained technicians, who will go over what to expect during the training.

Lens Care Instructions

Your contact lenses are prescription devices to

help you see better. If instructions are not following appropriately, infections and damage can occur as a result. We will review all precautions that you need to take to ensure you are wearing your contact lenses in a safe manner.

Insertion Training

The tech will demonstrate the most safe and efficient way to insert your contact lenses into each eye.

Info Packet

We will provide you with a personalized packet that reviews what was covered during the training, along with other pointers to keep your eyes safe as a new contact lens wearer.

Removal Training

The tech will also demonstrate the most safe and efficient way to remove your contact lenses.

Follow-up Appointment

One week after your training, you will be scheduled for a slit-lamp and vision check

with your new lenses in place. Please arrive at the office with the

lenses already in your eyes. Please keep your scheduled appointment.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

The decision to be fitted with contact lenses is an important one and there are specific instructions you need to follow. There are precautions you must take, and dangers you need to be aware of so you can safely and successfully wear contacts. We are here to guide you along the way to clear vision and healthy eyes.

HOW & WHEN DO I GET MY PRESCRIPTION?

You will receive a finalized prescription once the doctor has approved the lenses at your follow-up visit. You may purchase replacement lenses from our office, or we will provide you with a copy of your prescription so you can purchase them elsewhere. Please note that since contact lenses are considered a FDA controlled medical device, you may only purchase the lenses your prescription is written for.

Contact Lens Options

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses—or hydrogel or hydrophilic lenses—are very flexible and are often the most comfortable lens to be worn initially. While very safe to use, these lenses are often disposable to decrease risks of complications, such as infection.

Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Rigid gas permeable contacts are stiffer lenses and require an adaptation period for best comfort. For some prescriptions, these lenses offer crisper vision and excellent oxygen permeability.

Hybrid Lenses

Hybrid lenses combines the best of both soft and gas permeable lenses. The center is gas permeable (oxygen breathing) and it is surrounded by a soft lens “skirt.” This lens gives the sharpness and clarity of a gas permeable lens and the wearing comfort of a soft lens.

Ortho-keratology

Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is the use of specially designed and fitted contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision. It’s like orthodontics for your eyes and the treatment is often compared to dental braces. Most ortho-k lenses are worn at night to reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. Vision improvements are reversible but can be maintained if you keep wearing the lenses as directed.

Daily Wear Contact Lenses

Daily wear contact lenses are worn during the day and are removed at night for cleaning and disinfection. This is typically the healthiest type of contact lens.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses can be worn for longer periods of time or while sleeping. Typically, wearing contacts for a long time reduces the amount of oxygen and tears that reach the cornea. This can result in eye infections, swelling, and abnormal vessel growth.

Conventional Contact Lenses

Conventional contact lenses need to be replaced every 8-12 months. These lenses are frequently selected for difficult prescriptions. They need to be meticulously cleaned and disinfected daily.

Planned Replacement Contact Lenses

Planned replacement contact lenses are replaced on a planned schedule that can be anywhere from once a week to every six months. These lenses need to be removed and disinfected each day before sleeping.

Disposable Contact Lenses

Disposable contact lenses are thrown away after each use. Although lenses that are thrown away after 2-4 weeks are often called "disposable" lenses, a true disposable lens is only kept for one day. These lenses significantly decrease the chances of contamination by bacteria or other dangerous microbes. Additionally, these lenses are exceptionally convenient for occasional use or for people with active lives.

SPECIALTY LENSES

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Bifocal or Multifocal Contact Lenses

Color-Enhancing or Theatrical Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

Contact Lenses for Color Deficiencies

Prosthetic Contact Lenses

Post-surgical and Post-trauma Contact Lenses

Specialty Lenses for Keratoconus and Corneal Irregularities

Scleral Lenses

Myopia Control Contact Lenses

UV Inhibiting Contact Lenses

Other Custom Contact Lenses

CONTACT LENS WEAR & CARE

Caring for your contact lenses — cleaning, disinfecting and storing them — is much easier than it used to be. A few years ago, you would have needed several bottles of cleaning products, and perhaps enzyme tablets, for proper care. Today, most people can use "multipurpose" solutions — meaning that one product both cleans and disinfects, and is used for storage.

People who are sensitive to the preservatives in multipurpose solutions might need preservative-free systems, such as those containing hydrogen peroxide. These do an excellent job of cleaning contacts, but it's very important to follow the directions for using them. The solution should not come into contact with your eyes until soaking is complete and the solution is neutralized.

Of course, you can avoid lens care altogether by wearing daily disposable contact lenses.