Contact lenses have come a long way in recent decades. While contacts were once limited to tiny and hard-to-manage glass circles, they’re now made of breathable and flexible materials that feel comfortable in your eyes. Schedule your contact lens exam at McDonald Eye Care Associates in Lakeville, Minnesota, now to find out whether contacts are right for you. Book online or by phone at (952) 469-3937 anytime.

Contacts Q & A

There are a huge variety of contact lenses available today, but they're divided into two general categories: soft and hard.

Soft contact lenses

The most popular option is soft contacts. They're made from a highly flexible soft plastic that's curved to follow your eye's natural shape. Most soft contact lenses are the disposable type that you wear for a day, a week, or some other period before replacing them with a new pair.

Hard contact lenses

Hard contact lenses, also called gas-permeable lenses, are very thin but highly rigid plastic. Hard contacts are often used for vision correction when you have eye problems. For example, keratoconus causes your cornea to bulge in a dome shape, and hard contact lenses can help reshape your cornea while they improve your vision.

Hard contacts are often less expensive than soft ones, but they're more difficult to use. Your optometrist will help you choose the right option for your needs.

 

To get your contacts, you'll need a contact lens exam at McDonald Eye Care Associates. Your optometrist will check your vision and do a simple set of tests to determine the right contact prescription for you. McDonald Eye Care Associates has a wide variety of contact lenses on site, and you can also order replacement contacts online directly from our website.

If it's your first time getting contact lenses, your McDonald Eye Care Associates optometrist will demonstrate proper insertion and removal techniques as well. If your child is getting contacts for the first time, it may take a bit of extra time but the team is fully committed to ensuring proper fit and proper education for contact lens wearers of all ages.

Click here to book your contact lens appointment online or call the office to schedule today.

Below are some helpful links that may be useful in relation to contact lenses:

What is the difference between Exams and Contact Lens Services?

Hello there, eye care enthusiasts! Whether you’re a glasses aficionado or a contact lens newbie, taking care of your vision is essential. Ever wondered what goes into a routine eye exam or what contact lens services entail? Let’s break it down and find out which service is right for you!

Routine Eye Exam

A routine eye exam is like a wellness check for your eyes. It ensures everything is functioning properly and catches any potential issues early. Here’s what typically happens during a routine eye exam:

  • Vision Check: You’ll read letters from an eye chart to assess how well you see at different distances.
  • Eye Health Examination: Using special instruments, the optometrist examines the inside of your eyes to check for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
  • Eye Coordination Test: Your optometrist will test how well your eyes work together.
  • Prescription Update: If you wear glasses, your prescription will be checked and updated if needed. *Contact lens update requires a separate service and fee.

Benefits of Routine Eye Exams:

  • Early Detection: Many eye diseases don’t show symptoms until they’ve progressed. Regular exams can catch these early.
  • Accurate Prescriptions: Your vision can change over time, so it’s important to keep your prescription up to date.
  • Overall Eye Health: Eye exams can reveal other health issues, like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Routine eye exams are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is perfect. They help maintain good eye health and catch potential issues early.

Contact Lens Services

Contact lenses are medical devices that require separate services to update the prescriptions. These services are not part of a routine eye examination.

Contact lens services go beyond the standard eye exam to ensure you get the perfect fit and type of lenses for your eyes and lifestyle. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Detailed Measurements: Your optometrist will take precise measurements of your eyes, including the curvature of your cornea and the size of your pupil and iris.
  • Lens Fitting: Based on your eye measurements, the optometrist will recommend the best type of contact lenses for you, whether they’re daily disposables, monthly lenses, or specialty lenses for astigmatism or dry eyes.
  • Trial Lenses: You’ll receive trial lenses to wear for a week or so to ensure they’re comfortable and effective.
  • Training: If you’re new to contact lenses, a technician will show you how to properly insert, remove, and care for your lenses.

Benefits of Contact Lens Services:

  • Personalized Fit: Contacts aren’t one-size-fits-all. A professional fitting ensures they’re comfortable and effective.
  • Variety of Options: There are many types of lenses available, and your optometrist can help you choose the best one for your needs.
  • Proper Use Training: Proper handling and care of lenses are crucial for eye health. Training ensures you’re using them correctly.

Note: Contact lens services involve additional fees beyond the cost of a routine eye exam. These fees cover the specialized measurements, fitting process, and training to ensure you get the best possible experience with your lenses.

Contact lens services provide a tailored approach to vision correction, ensuring that your lenses are as comfortable and effective as possible.

Key Differences

While both routine eye exams and contact lens services are essential, they serve different purposes. Here’s a quick comparison:

  • Routine Eye Exams: Focus on overall eye health, vision testing, and updating prescriptions. Ideal for maintaining general eye health and detecting potential issues early.
  • Contact Lens Services: Specialized care for those who wear or want to wear contact lenses. Involves detailed measurements and fitting to ensure the best possible comfort and vision correction. NOT part of your routine eye exam.

If you’re primarily concerned with overall eye health and updating your glasses prescription, a routine eye exam is what you need. However, if you wear contacts or are interested in trying them, routine eye exam and contact lens services are what you need. Separate fees apply to all contact lenses services.

Common Myths and FAQs

Myth: Contact lenses are uncomfortable.

  • Fact: With proper fitting and the right type of lens, contacts can be very comfortable.

Myth: Routine eye exams are only for people with vision problems.

  • Fact: Everyone should have regular eye exams to monitor their overall eye health, even if they don’t need vision correction.

FAQ: How often should I have a routine eye exam?

  • Answer: It’s recommended to have an eye exam every one to two years, depending on your age, health, and risk of eye diseases.

FAQ: Can I switch from glasses to contacts easily?

  • Answer: Yes, but it involves an additional fitting process to ensure the contacts are right for you. Your optometrist can guide you through this.

Both routine eye exams and contact lens services play vital roles in maintaining your eye health and ensuring clear vision. Whether you need a comprehensive check-up or are looking to switch to contacts, regular visits to your optometrist are key. So, don’t wait—schedule your appointment today and keep your eyes in top shape!