Contact lenses are used for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia (old sight). Contact lenses are designed to change the way the eye focuses light on the retina to produce a visual image. The goal of contact lens wear is to improve vision by decreasing a person’s dependency on spectacle lenses (eyeglasses).

Our services include:

• Contact lens fitting and follow-up care
• Contact lens evaluations
• Routine eye examinations including eyeglass prescriptions
• Diagnosis and treatment of contact lens related diseases
• Dry eye evaluation and treatment including nutritional supplementation and it’s relationship to contact lens wearing
• Diagnostic contact lens fitting
• Therapeutic contact lens fitting
• Consultative & second opinions for complicated contact lens fitting due to problems and conditions of the ocular surface

Initial Contact Lens Consultation If you are a candidate for contact lens wearing, an initial contact lens consultation is scheduled. Prior to contact lens fitting, a routine and complete eye examination with refraction (prescription for eyeglasses) is required within 6 months in order to assess the general health and refractive status (prescription) for best vision. Successful contact lens fitting requires that the condition of the eye surface, eyelids, and tear film be thoroughly evaluated. During the initial contact lens consultation parameters pertinent to the front surface of the eye are reviewed and assessed.

Contact Lens Fitting Proper contact lens fitting techniques are required to minimize eyelid-lens adhesions and maximal lens wearing comfort. Comfort is important so as to not impede the eyelid blink. Lid blinking is intimately involved with contact lens movement, tear film exchange, and thus, the cornea’s health. The blink spreads the tear film and there is an intimate relationship between the tear films’ role in maintenance of corneal health.

With the wearing of contact lenses the eye will adapt and sometimes adjustments in lens designs and manufacturer are required for a good fit. Adaptation rates are different for each patient and it is for this reason that the first few months of lens wearing is monitored. The differences in adaptation rates occur because of the difference in sensitivity of the eye to contact lenses and the integrity of the tear film (degree of wetting or dryness of the eye surface). These parameters of sensitivity and the wetness or dryness of the eye surface are related to the duration of lens wearing time, lens performance, and expectations of the patient.

Contact Lens Dispensing Usually contact lenses are dispensed when the patient receives instructions necessary for lens care. Dispensing of a contact lens requires an understanding of the fluid nature of the eye and eyelids. This is closely related to proper oxygenation of the eye surface, to decreased vision due to corneal swelling, and eventually clouding of the cornea.

Contact Lens Care Contact lens care is very important and lenses must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Except for daily wear (disposable lenses discarded daily) misconceptions of contact lens cleaning by themselves must be dispelled and a clear understanding that lens cleaning is required so that your eyes remain healthy and you reduce the possibility of eye infections. Proper lens care is a key ingredient for a successful long-term contact lens wearing experience.

Follow-Up Visits Follow-up visits are necessary to ensure comfortable and safe contact lens wearing, to determine the optimal period of wear and to confirm a proper lens care regimen. Regardless of the follow-up visit schedule it is important that the patient wearing contact lenses contact the office at any time if there is a question or that eye irritation is experience.

Mission Statement: (1) to meet the unique contact lens wearing needs of each patient individually in order to improve and maintain their qualities of vision and life, (2) to educate optometry & medical students and post-graduate students in the discipline of primary eye care, contact lens fitting, wearing & care, and applications of clinical trials to contact lens and related clinical eye research, and (3) to use clinical and basic science research tools to expand our knowledge in the field of contact lens and it’s relationship to the ocular (eye) surface.