The area of contact lenses is an ever improving part of eyecare. Today, we have contact lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (the need for bifocals). Lenses are available in soft and rigid gas permeable forms. We also fit the unusual cases such as keratoconus and irregular astigmatism.

Contact lenses can improve an adolescent's self-esteem and confidence and be practical for various sports such as baseball, football, soccer and tennis. The fact that the vast majority of lenses today are disposable makes replacement easy and inexpensive as well as safe. Individuals often prefer the look and freedom that contacts give as well as the improved peripheral vision that eyeglasses cannot provide.

Bifocal contact lenses (that are often 60-70% successful) have come on the scene within the last few years in both soft and gas permeable designs. The soft lenses are disposable making their maintenance easy. If two bifocals do not provide the sharp vision that one needs, there are variations that can be tried, called "modified monovision". The use of single vision contacts fit in a monovision style has been available for years to try and mimic the bifocal effect and is still occasionally fit today when bifocal contacts are not successful.

Contacts can also be fit for therapeutic purposes. Children occasionally will develop amblyopia in the eye with the higher prescription or have two eyes with such different prescriptions that they do not use and develop sharp vision from one eye. These selective cases may benefit the child or adolescent by minimizing the difference between the eyes and improve fusion and binocularity that will last their lifetime.

If you would like to discuss your case further with our office, just mention this at the time you make your appointment. Common questions relating to contact lenses can be directed to Debbie, our Certified Technician.