New Perspective Eye Care at Formica Optical

What types of contacts are there?

The most commonly fitted contacts are soft contact lenses. These come in a variety of materials and schedules to fit many patient’s needs. Daily disposable soft lenses are single-use and are very convenient as well as the healthiest option to prevent eye infection. Biweekly or Monthly contacts are able to be reworn up until the specified amount of days run out. Extended wear or sleeping in lenses is not recommended due to risk of eye infection and other complications.

There are also hard contact lenses (known as rigid gas permeable lenses) and hybrid contact lenses (a mix of hard and soft). These lenses may be indicated for patients who have corneal disease or who are not able to achieve clear vision with soft lenses.

Is there a minimum age for contact lenses?

Any age can wear contact lenses! Certain recommendations may be made for young children such as daily disposable lenses or wear time restrictions.

I have astigmatism, can I wear contacts?

Absolutely! There are many soft contacts that come in a “toric” option for patients who have astigmatism. In cases of high astigmatism or irregular astigmatism, specialty or custom lenses may be indicated.

I can’t see up close without reading glasses, is there an option for me?

There sure is! Multifocal contacts correct vision at multiple distances. Some patients prefer “monovision” which means one eye is corrected for distance and one eye is corrected for near.

What is the cost of getting contacts?

When you decide to get fit or evaluated for contacts, there is an exam fee associated with that service. At our office the fee is $65 for new contact lens wearers and $50 for established contact lens wearers. Sometimes your vision insurance will contribute to the fee or cover it (we will do our best to help you navigate your insurance benefits to get you the most savings). The new wearer fee includes insertion & removal training. Both fees include up to 3 follow up visits (within 90 days of initial fitting).

After the fitting or evaluation is complete, you will be given a contact lens prescription that is active for 1 year past the service date. This can be used to order contacts which will vary in price. Ordering a year supply of contact lenses usually yields the most savings.

I don’t want to make any changes to my contacts, do I still have to pay the contact lens fee?

Great question! Yes, you would still need to pay a “contact lens evaluation” fee of $50 every year. A prescription for contact lenses expires every year and a contact lens evaluation is needed to provide an updated prescription (even if there are no changes). The contact lens evaluation also involves inspecting your eyes for signs of complications from contact lens wear and discussing how you are doing wearing contacts. We will also always make sure you are aware of new things in the world of contact lenses to see if you might want to try something new.

I didn’t bring up contacts at my recent exam. Do I have to wait until my next exam to try contacts?

Nope! Give us a call or check our online availability and we’ll be happy to schedule a standalone contact lens appointment. The fee is $65 for new wearers and $50 for established wearers.

I want to switch to daily disposable lenses, but I feel like it produces a lot of waste and is expensive.

Talk to your doctor about dailies at your next exam! They are the safest and most comfortable option available for contact lenses. There are inexpensive options as well as rebates available to lower the cost. If you don’t wear contacts all the time, sometimes dailies are cheaper and they are definitely more convenient!

It does seem like there is more plastic waste with dailies, but there is less waste from solution bottles and contact lens cases to balance things out. We also are part of the Bausch & Lomb one by one contact lens recycling program and accept contact lenses and blister packs at our office to be sent in for recycling. See more information on this program by clicking the image below!