Contact Lenses

Visionary Eye Care at Murabella in St. Augustine offers many options for contact lenses.

There are a number of reasons why you might prefer contact lenses to standard eyewear: a glasses-free look, hassle-free vision correction, wearing non-prescription sunwear and goggles, or the convenience of not having to worry about misplacing your glasses. If you have a high prescription or astigmatism, contact lenses may provide more enhanced vision correction than glasses. Today, you can even replace your bifocal glasses with bifocal contact lenses.

An often unknown fact is that not all patients wear contact lenses as their primary source of vision correction. Each patient is different, with some patients wearing contact lenses only on weekends, special occasions or just for sports. That is the beauty of contact lens wear, the flexibility it gives each individual patient and their lifestyle. Dr. Reed or Dr. Noegel will discuss the variety of contact lens options with you to select the type that best fits your vision needs and lifestyle. If you decide to opt for contact lens wear, it is very important that the lenses fit properly and comfortably and that you understand contact lens safety and hygiene. A contact lens exam will include both a comprehensive eye exam to check your overall eye health, your general vision prescription and then a contact lens consultation and measurement to determine the proper lens fit. Our doctors might have specific recommendations for the right type or brand for your optimal comfort and vision needs.

Dr.Joanne Reed and Dr. Ashley Noegel can recommend the best contact lenses for you based on a complete eye examination and a review of your visual needs both at work and play. Since most people can wear more than one type of lens, it’s important to know what the choices are and the advantages and disadvantages to each.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM

Whether or not you have vision problems, it is important to have your eyes checked regularly to ensure they are healthy and that there are no signs of a developing eye condition. A comprehensive eye exam will check the general health of your eyes as well as the quality of your vision. During this exam, the eye doctor will determine your prescription for eyeglasses, however this prescription alone is not sufficient for contact lenses. The doctor may also check for any eye health issues that could interfere with the comfort and success of contact lens wear.

Soft Lenses

These lenses are comfortable to wear and must be replaced daily, bi-weekly, or monthly depending on the type that is recommended for you. Soft lenses are often recommended for sports because they fit closer to the eye and are more difficult to dislodge. They can provide correction for most prescriptions including astigmatism. Today, with the introduction of newer daily lenses patients find it easier than ever to wear soft lenses comfortably.

Gas-Permeable (GP) Lenses

Made of moderately flexible plastics, GP lenses offer sharp vision and correct most vision problems. They are more durable than soft contact lenses and can be easier to handle and care for but require a longer adaptation period and consistent wear to maintain adaptation.

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses offer patients both distance and near vision correction.

Silicone Hydrogels

Silicone hydrogels are soft contact lenses that have high oxygen permeability and are comparable to GP lenses.

Regardless of the type of contact lenses you wear, an annual eye exam is recommended to ensure the continued good health of your eyes. Schedule an appointment for an assessment and advice at Visionary Eye Care at Murabella in St. Augustine, and we will be in touch with you shortly.