LensNow Eye Care Infomation

1. Can I purchase a different brand of contact lenses from the one prescribed to me?
   Contact lenses come in different sizes and must be fitted to your eyes by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. As a replacement center, we cannot sell you contact lenses that you are not already wearing successfully. You will need to be a successful contact lens wearer before we can help you. Please consult your eye doctor and get a new prescription for a new brand.
   
   
2. How do I read my contact lenses prescription?
   Please refer to "How do I read my Prescription"? The prescription for contact lenses is different from the prescription for your spectacles since it includes the sizes required to fit the lenses to your left and right eyes.
   
   
3. Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
   Yes, you can wear a special type of soft contact lens called a toric lenses which will correct your astigmatism. However, these lenses are typically more expensive and there are fewer types and colors available than there are with regular (spherical) lenses. Recently, Wesley-Jessen introduced a 2-week disposable toric lens, the Freshlook Toric. Several manufacturers including Ciba (Focus) and Coopervision (Preference) produce 1-3 month frequent replacement toric lenses.
   
   
4. Is a contact lenses prescription different than a glasses prescription?
   Yes. When you order contact lens, you must have a current contact lenses prescription which specifies the power of the lenses, the size of the lenses, the type and brand of lens. See also How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription.
   
   
5. If my 2 week disposable lenses are still comfortable and in good condition beyond 2 weeks, can I continue to wear the same pair?
   In order to maintain optimal eye health and comfort, it is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor. The main advantage of wearing disposable lenses is that you are putting a fresh new pair of lenses in your eyes every 2 weeks. Also, the convenient cleaning regimen of a disposable lens is only adequate for a 2 week wearing schedule.
   
   
6. If I only wear my 2 week disposable contacts part time, do I still have to replace them every 2 weeks?
   No, the 2 weeks refers to the actual amount of wearing time so they can last longer than 2 weeks if you are not wearing them full time.
   
   
7. What's the difference between rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and soft lenses?
   RGPs are smaller and made out of a harder, less pliable material than soft lenses which makes them less comfortable initially. RGPs correct astigmatism whereas soft spherical lenses do not.
   
   
8. Can I swim with my contact lenses in?
   It is best if you don't because there are bacteria in the water that can adhere to your lenses and cause infections. If you do swim in your lenses, you should wear goggles over them and you should disinfect them immediately afterwards.
   
   
9. Why is it necessary for contact lens wearers to have regular eye exams even if their prescription hasn't changed?
   Regular eye exams are important not only to check your prescription but also to evaluate the health of your eyes. This is especially important for contact lens wearers because the contacts could be causing damage to your eyes without necessarily causing any obvious symptoms.
   
   
10. Is a Eye Care Practitioner required by law to release my contact lenses prescription.
    The law varies from place to place, but in most areas the practitioner is required to release your contact lenses prescription once the fitting is complete. However, your practitioner is not required to release an expired prescription. Your prescription is also found on the box in which your contact lenses were supplied.
    
    
11. I wear contact lenses and in order for me to read, I have to wear reading glasses over them. Are there any other alternatives whereby I don't have to wear glasses at all?
    Yes, the most common option is called monovision where one eye is corrected for viewing distant objects and the other eye is corrected for reading and close work. Monovision is a good solution for some people, but not everbody can successfully adapt to the arrangement. Another alternative is bifocal contact lenses which are available in both rigid gas permeable or soft lens designs. However, these are typically very expensive. Recently, however, Johnson and Johnson have released the Acuvue Bifocal which is a two-week disposable lens and is more reasonably priced.
    
    
12. Do colored contact lenses work on dark eyes?
    Yes, they are called opaque contacts as opposed to enhancer tints which work only on light colored eyes. Year-long (daily wear and extended wear) opaque contacts are available in many different colors and shades but there is currently only one brand that offers a 2 week disposable opaque lens. These are Freshlook Opaques by Wesley-Jessen.
    
    
13. Do I still need a prescription if I just want contacts to change my eye color?
    Yes, you still need to be fitted for the lenses even if you don't need vision correction. This is because contact lenses are medical devices and wearing them can affect the health of your eyes.
    
    
14. Can I extend the use of '2-week' disposable contact lenses?
    It is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your lens manufacturer. The main advantage of wearing disposable contact lenses is that you are putting a fresh new pair of lenses in your eyes every 2 weeks. This provides better eye care. The cleaning regimen of a 'disposable' lens is only adequate for a maximum 4-week wearing schedule.
    
    
15. Can my Daily Wear contact lenses be worn on a continual day-and-night basis?
    No. This is called extended wear and has a much greater chance of causing an infection. It can also damage the membrane which covers the front of your eye (the cornea). LensNow does not recommend wearing your lenses on a continual or extended basis. You should take your lenses out of your eyes each night, or when you sleep. and follow our eye care guidelines.
    
    
16. Can Daily-Disposable lenses be used for more than one day?
    No. These type of contact lenses should not be worn for longer than one day. They obviate the need to clean and disinfect the lenses in a storage case that saves time, effort and expensive disinfecting solutions.
    
    
17. What is bifocal lenses?
    Bifocal contact lenses allow the wearer to focus on both distant and close-up objects. Such lenses have been much more expensive in the past but recently Johnson and Johnson have released new Acuvue Bifocal lens which is a  disposable bifocal lens that is reasonably priced and becoming very popular.
    
    
18. Which type of soft contact lens is best for occasional wear?
    It is best to use a daily-disposable soft contact lenses so that there is no need to disinfect the lens between intermittent wearing sessions when contamination may occur. Daily-disposable lenses such as 1-DayAcuvue and Focus Dailies are ideal for sports wear.
    
    
19. Can contact lenses fall out of the eye from blinking?
    No. In normal use with a proper prescription, contact lenses will stay firmly in position. However, they can come out under certain conditions. High winds can cause the eyes to water and pull the eyelid tight against the eye, increasing the chance of lens loss. Rubbing your eye carelessly may result in a lens lost or it may move under the eyelid.
    
    
20. Is it okay to play sports while wearing contact lenses?
    Yes. Wearing soft contact lenses for sports is more comfortable and stable than spectacles. If your sport involves vigorous exercise, soft contact lens is the best choice. If contact lenses are only worn for sports, then use of daily disposable lenses is the simplest and safest way.
    
    
21. Can contact lenses block ultraviolet light?
    Yes, but only partially. Some manufacturers have added UV blocking properties to some lenses but none of them can block all of the harmful UV light. Health organizations state that contact lenses are not a substitute for UV protecting eye wear such as UV protected  sunglasses because contact lenses cover only a portion of the eye. It is recommended that you wear UV protected sunglasses with your contact lenses, even if they contain UV blocking properties.
    
    
22. How do I know if my contact lenses are 'worn out'?
    Typical signs that a lens is approaching the end of its life are hazy vision, discomfort, and lens discoloration and deposits. These can lead to allergies and other complications.
    
    
23. Can contact lenses be worn if the eyes are sensitive or tender?
    No. It is not advisable to wear contact lenses if your eyes are sensitive or tender. Please consult your eye care practitioner.
    
    
24. What are contact lenses made of ? 
    Today's contact lenses are made from polymers. These polymers ensure comfortable lens wear by allowing the eyes to breath and keeping their shape on the eye. Modern soft lenses offer excellent comfort because they contain water. Typically, the water content of lenses varies from about 40% to 70%.