Contact Lenses Online FAQ

Contact lenses don't just make your life easier, they can also make it much better. Anyone who leads an active life will know that glasses aren't always practical (very few people ever complain about having a contact lens steam-up or fall off the end of their nose!), but they often don't realize that contact lenses are also known to improve depth perception and peripheral vision.

Contact Lens Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes, you can wear a special type of soft contact lens called a toric lens 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.

Is a contact lens prescription different than a glasses prescription?
Yes. When you order contact lenses, you must have a current contact lens prescription which specifies the power of the lenses, the size of the lens, the type and brand of lens. See also How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is my doctor required by law to release my contact lens prescription.
The laws vary from state to state, but in most places the doctor is required to release your prescription once the fitting is complete (this may include the initial exam and one or more follow-up visits). Your doctor is not required to release an expired prescription and in any case we would be unable to dispense contacts from an expired prescription. Some doctors are more ready to comply with local laws than others.

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 everybody 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.

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.

Contact Lens Company

With all major brands of contact lenses in our catalog and thousands in stock, we are the only Contact Lens Company that you need.

Boston - All RGP lenses sold by our company are precision manufactured to order to the exact specifications of your eye-doctor.

Biocompatibles - Proclear compatible contact lenses manufactured by Cooper Vision (formerly Biocompatibles). Proclear Compatibles are the only lenses the FDA allows to claim: "May provide improved comfort for contact lens wearers who experience mild discomfort or symptoms relating to dryness during lens wear"

Bausch and Lomb - Using revolutionary new technologies and innovative materials, Bausch & Lomb offers soft contact lenses to correct a wide range of refractive errors.

Ciba Vision - We are transforming the market with new materials for contact lenses, revolutionary manufacturing processes and creative designs that make contact lenses comfortable and convenient to wear.

Ocular Sciences (OSI) - Since Ocular Sciences was incorporated in 1985, its strategy has been to market high quality soft contact lenses to eye care professionals at competitive prices using a low cost to serve operating structure.

Johnson and Johnson - A true leader in innovation, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care revolutionized the vision correction industry in 1988 with the invention of ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses, the world's first soft disposable contact lens.

Cooper Vision - CooperVision invites you to see everything the world has to offer more clearly than ever before, with state-of-the-art contact lenses that offer you the best in exceptional vision quality and comfort.

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