personalized solutions for your needs
Contact Lenses Guide
Each patient is unique and we believe your visit to the optometrist is more than just a new prescription!
Contact lenses can be an excellent alternative to glasses, and if you have any questions about caring for, inserting, and removing your contact lenses, know that we’re here for you.
We fit soft contact lenses, RGP lenses, scleral lens and orthokeratology lenses
Our doctors prescribe specific lens brands based on your ocular needs and goals
We provide contact lens exams and fittings. These can be done at the same time as a routine vision exam or at another time. Contact lens exams and fittings are a necessary part of wearing contact lenses to ensure proper vision, comfort and fit. During the fitting process our doctors are making sure that lens fit is optimal, reducing the likelihood of contact lens related health problems.
New Wearer Guide
Congratulations on both your new look and contact lenses! You will find both general and useful tips below.
Practice makes perfect. Plan time to help you succeed!
- Wake up early to give yourself ample room to put on and take off your contact lenses.
- Taking off your contacts and cleaning them at night is important. Set an alarm or reminder.
- Use an app or calendar to set important dates (ie. when to replace or reorder your contact lenses).
- Establish a cleaning routine early to avoid irritation or potential infection.
- Follow the replacement schedule given to you by your optometrist.
How to Put on and Take off Contacts
Adjusting to contacts can take a few days. You will find useful and easy-to-follow guides below, too!
how to put on your contact lenses
prepare in advance
Before putting on your contacts, wash your hands with non-perfumed, anti-bacterial soap and rise your hands. Remember to dry your hands with a lint-free towel!
lens positioning
Put the lens on the tip of your finger and hold it up to the light. If the edges flare out, it's inside out. Contacts should look like a bowl with straight edges.
Place the lens
Hold your upper-eyelid UP with one finger and carefully pull DOWN your lower eyelid with another.
Guide the contact steadily toward your eye and slowly release your lids. Close your eyes and blink - this allows for things to settle in.
how to take off your contact lenses
positioning
Clean your hands and make sure that they are dry. Look UP while pulling DOWN on your eyelid with your middle finger.
REMOVING YOUR CONTACT
Slowly slide the lower edge of the lens down with your index finger to the lower white part of your eye.
Gently squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger to remove it.
REPEAT AND DISCARD
Repeat the previous step for your other eye. If you are wearing daily disposable contacts, make sure to remove and discard them.
If you are wearing weekly or monthly contacts, make sure that you clean and disinfect your lenses.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
common CONCERNS about contacts
Everyone’s lifestyle and adjustment period is different. If you are having issues or feel uncomfortable with your contacts, contact our office to speak to one of our optometrists.
They should stay in place with the proper fit. On the rare occasion that they do move out of place, it will typically stay on your eye until it is removed or moved back in place.
Sometimes simple issues such as a poor fit, eye dryness, or an outdated prescription can affect your vision adversely. However, blurriness can also be a tell-tale sign of a more serious problem that is not related to your contact lenses. If you are experiencing constant blurriness, contact our office to speak to one of our optometrists as soon as possible.
visual tutorials
navigating your contacts
Contact Lens Insertion
Contact Lens Removal
Cleaning Contact Lens
Contact Lens Do’s & Dont’s
Contact Lens Myths
MYTH: Contacts can get stuck behind your eye
MYTH: my eye can get scratched from contacts
MYTH: contacts can get stuck in my eye
still skeptical?
frequently asked questions
Even if you only wear glasses part-time, contact lenses can offer a convenient and easy alternative for certain activities such as sports.
Unlike glasses, in normal wearing conditions, contact lenses won’t smudge, steam up, fall off or break.
No. Your contact lenses have been specially fit to your unique vision needs and the unique shape of your eye. Friends don’t let friends share contacts.
Lots of teens and even some preteens wear contact lenses. It is less about age and more about maturity and responsibility to properly wear and care for contact lenses.
In general, no. Unless your eye doctor has instructed you otherwise or you have eye redness, irritation, pain or decreased vision, you can safely wear your contact lenses daily.
Contact lenses are not bad for your eyes. Be sure to stick to the replacement schedule and cleaning instructions that your doctor gave you and you’re good to go.
Cleaning and Care
Following a strict cleaning and disinfecting schedule is a must when wearing reusable contacts. Don’t worry, this should only take a few minutes with the appropriate solution. Our optometrists can help recommend the appropriate disinfecting solution for your prescribed contacts.
important items to remember
- To avoid irritation, remember to wash, clean, and dry your hands prior to caring for your contacts.
- Never use tap water! Always refer to instructions given to you by your provider.
- Always begin with the same eye! Picking up this habit can ensure that you do not get mixed up in your own routine.
- After removing your contacts, always remember to clean them immediately with the appropriate solution.
- If you are wearing dialy disposable contacts, make sure to remove and discard them.
- If you are wearing weekly or monthly contacts, make sure that you clean and disinfect your lenses.
cleaning your 2-week or monthly contacts
filling the chamber
Fill your case with fresh, disinfecting solution and apply a few drops to the palm of your hand (remember to wash, clean, and dry first!)
With one finger, gently rub the lens back and forth on your palm to clean the lens surfaces.
Rinse your lens
Thoroughly clean your lens with the solution and put it back into the case.
repeat
Repeat this process for your other lens. You can leave your lenses to soak overnight in the clean case as well.
cleaning your contact case
emptying
Always empty your case if there is old solution inside. You should never re-use a disinfecting solution or fill the case to the very top.
RINSE & air-dry
Avoiding tap water, rinse your case with fresh solution and allow for your case to air-dry. You can place the case upside down on a clean tissue.
Replacement
Remember to replace your case on a regular basis to avoid any unnecessary build-up. We recommend replacing your contact lenses case at least every quarter!
Types of Contacts
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contacts are inserted on the eye every morning and thrown away every night, so you don’t need care solutions.
One and done is an easy care routine for many first-time wearers or people with active lifestyles.
$310 –$1,400 annually.
2-Week Contact Lenses
Simply clean daily and store in lens solution overnight to maintain safety and cleanliness.
2-week contacts require basic care and upkeep, but also enable you to have one pair for a longer period of time than just a day.
$175–$1,055 annually.
Monthly Contact Lenses
Basic care and upkeep—storing and cleaning in lens solution overnight—allows you to keep them for an extended period of time.
Because you’ll have these longer, they require some amount of responsibility to keep them clean.
$140–$600 annually.