More Information for
Contact Lens Wearers

Contact Lens Exam

A routine eye exam is not the same as a contact lens exam. For contact lens wearers, a contact lens exam is necessary to ensure the lenses are fitting both eyes properly and that the health of the eyes is not harmed by the contact lenses. 

Before we take a closer look at what happens during a contact lens exam, let's talk about normal eye exams. 
What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam? A comprehensive eye exam is an important part of caring for your overall health whether you need vision correction or not. By looking into your eyes, your doctor can check for signs of serious health conditions like hypertension and diabetes. 

During a comprehensive eye exam, your VSP network doctor will look for signs of glaucoma, perform tests to check your vision sharpness, determine your prescription strength, examine how your eyes work together, and check the fluid pressure in your eyes. She may also dilate your eyes to see if you have any eye conditions or signs of other serious health conditions. 

What is a Contact Lens Exam? If you wear or want contacts, you need a contact lens exam in addition to a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts. The first test will measure your eye surface to determine what size and type of contacts are best for you. Your doctor may also do a tear film evaluation to make sure you have enough tears to comfortably wear contacts. 

With the results of those tests, your eye doctor can provide a contact lens prescription that is the right fit for your eyes. An eyeglass prescription is no substitute for a contact lens exam because the two are very different. An eyeglass prescription measures for lenses that are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes; whereas a contact lens prescription measures for lenses that sit directly on the surface the eye. An improper fitting or prescription of contacts can damage the health of the eyes. 
Once you have the correct fit and prescription for contacts, you'll need to decide whether you want disposable contacts or extended wear, and if you want your contacts to be colored. 

Your doctor will fit you with a trial pair of contacts and have you wear them for a few days. In about a week, you'll need a follow-up exam to make sure you have adjusted to your new lenses. 

Whether you wear glasses or contacts, it's a good idea to get a yearly eye exam to see if you have new or existing vision problems, and if you need vision correction. 

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/eye-health/contact-lens-exam


Wearing Contacts Safely

Allergies While Wearing Contacts
Many people choose to make the switch from glasses to contacts. While there can be benefits to this alternative, it is important that you take necessary safety precautions, especially in a time when serious viruses can be transmitted through the eyes.

Throughout his many years in practice, VSP network eye doctor, Wallace Stuart, O.D. has helped ensure patients are properly prepped to apply contacts sanitarily using these important steps. He shared with us the marching orders he gives new contact lens wearers:
  • Wash away. The cardinal rule for staying healthy is to wash your hands often. The eyes are an entry point for germs, including viruses like Coronavirus, which makes washing your hands immediately before handling contacts especially important. This will also help keep the silicone hydrogel clean and free of unwelcome particles, like skin oils, dust, and harmful bacteria. The American Optometric Association recommends that you scrub your hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by hand drying with unused paper towels. This should occur before every contact lens insertion and removal. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Ditch the dirt. Dirt for contact lenses comes in the form of protein build-up and other eye and environmental “muck.” Routine cleaning only lasts so long. So, at the designated times, toss your contacts and use a fresh pair. They’re classified as “disposable” for a reason.

  • Not at night. If your contacts aren’t the overnight-approved, extended wear variety, don’t treat them that way. Daily contacts need nightly soaks to be properly cleansed and disinfected. A morning routine for contact lens wearers should include a simple rinse with fresh solution before putting them in your eyes.

  • No to nails. Only your fingertips should touch your contacts. Fingernails can easily rip the delicate contact lens material. If you wear your nails long, find another technique to retrieve the contacts from the container before transferring them to your finger. The soft disinfected tip of a medicine dropper can do the trick.

  • Refuse to reuse. This is one instance where recycling is a hard no. Never reuse contact lens solution. Ever. Use fresh stuff every night. Contact lens wearers should throw out their daily disposable lenses each evening, or regularly disinfect their monthly and two-week lenses according to instructions from the manufacturer and their Doctor of Optometry.

  • Forget the fumes. Whenever you can, avoid wearing contacts when you’re surrounded by irritating or toxic fumes. For example, wear your glasses for hair-dying occurrences or oven cleaning.

  • Cease if sick. Consistent with recommendations for other types of illness, those who feel sick with cold or flu-like symptoms should stop wearing their contacts until fully recovered.

  • Banish beauty-aids. Well, around your contacts anyway. Keep soaps, lotions, cosmetics, perfumes and other self-care products away from your contacts.

If you feel any discomfort, blurry vision or have concerns after contact lens application, remove your lenses and consult your eye care professional. As always, if you have additional questions about best practices for wearing contacts, contact your eye doctor.

Schedule your eye exam with an eye doctor and order contacts directly from their office. If you have your RX and prefer to shop online, use your VSP insurance to order your contacts on Eyeconic.com. 

For more information about wearing contacts safely, look to the American Optometric Association. You can find general information about COVID-19 safety at the Centers for Disease and Control and updates and resources for VSP Members here.
Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/contact-lens-care
22 million Americans suffer seasonal allergies. If you’re one of them and a contact lens wearer, you may as well refer to it as misery season. That’s because allergens have a special attraction to contacts – especially the soft variety, which most contact lens wearers use. 
The American Optometric Association says that more than 75% of contact lens wearers complain of allergen-caused eye pain and irritation. 
We talked with David Jones, OD, a veteran optometrist located in allergen-rich Santa Rosa, Calif. about the attraction allergens have toward soft contacts. Dr. Jones explains that the lenses, “function like large sponges. They keep allergens in the eye, but they also prevent using medications you might want to apply.” 
Allergy season calls for special tactics to keep you and your eyes happy. Here are some suggestions from Dr. Jones: 
Switch to Specs:
You may not want to wear your glasses, but you’ll probably be more comfortable if you do. The allergens in the air, such as pollen and dust, love contact lenses, and the particles will stick on them. That means irritation. 
Keep ‘Em Wet:
Keep a container of artificial tears handy and use them often. This will help your eyes feel better and also wash the allergens out. Say no to any brand of over-the-counter redness relievers and buy the artificial tears instead. Redness reducing solutions are only cosmetic and won’t do anything to make your eyes feel better. 
Keep ‘Em Clean:
In allergy season, get even more rigorous with your cleaning routine. Clean more often and use a preservative-free solution (it’ll say so on the bottle). For disposable lenses, consider spending a little more and replacing them more often than usual. 
That’s the Rub:
When you have an itch, you want to scratch it. But when it comes to your eyes, don’t. Excessive rubbing is just going make it worse. Instead, get a nice cool washcloth or other compress and gently treat your eyes to a little TLC. It can keep swelling and itching in check. 
Get Help:
If you’re really suffering, by all means see your eye doctor. He or she can prescribe medications that could help. Also, an eye exam can rule out other more serious problems. 
Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 
Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/eye-health/allergies-contacts


Contact Lenses for the Hard to Fit Patient

As we age, there are various eye conditions that we might develop, such as astigmatism or presbyopia. In fact, more than 32 million people in the U.S. have both of these conditions. If you’re among this population, then one common misconception you may be familiar with is that you can’t wear contacts. We’ll discuss why this isn’t true and a potential solution, but first let’s dive into what astigmatism and presbyopia are.

What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common eye-focusing condition that happens when your cornea is shaped more like a football than equally curved in all directions.
If you have astigmatism, you might:
  • Have trouble seeing both near and far
  • Squint often or experience eyestrain
  • See images that are blurry or distorted

What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common age-related change to near vision. As your eyes age, it gets harder for them to focus to help you see clearly. Most people start to notice the effects of presbyopia around or after the age of 40. 
If you have presbyopia, you might:
  • Have trouble seeing small or fine print (books, text messages, computer, small print on a menu or in a dark restaurant)
  • Hold items farther away to read them
  • Have blurry vision when you read or use a smartphone
  • Keep readers in every room
  • Experience headaches or a tired feeling in your eyes during up-close tasks.

What Are My Contact Lens Options?
For those with astigmatism and presbyopia, there’s a new product available that combines presbyopia and astigmatism lens designs, called Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism. Ask your VSP network doctor if this contact lens might be right for you.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/contacts/contacts-for-astigmatism-presbyopia