Your Guide to Contact
Lenses
Can I order contact lens with eyeglasses prescription?
Expiry of contact lens prescriptions
How to order contact lenses?
Understanding your Rx
Which Way Is the Right
Way?
Applying your contact lenses
Removing your contact
lenses
Contact Lenses and UV Light
Eye Makeup and Contact
Lenses
The basics of soft contact
lens care: clean, rinse and disinfect
Many people new to contact
lenses, and even some experienced wearers, have practical
questions about contacts. These tips should help you to deal with
some everyday contact lens concerns.
Can I order contact lens with eyeglasses prescription?
The answer is "No". Even if you already
have an eyeglass prescription, you need a contact lens prescription
that contains additional information in order to order contact
lenses. (However, you don't need a prescription for plano contact
lenses, i.e. lenses that don't provide vision correction)
A contact lens is a medical device. If it's not prescribed properly,
you may not see well. A contact lens that is "swimming"
on the surface of the eye can affect vision. More importantly,
a poorly fitting lens or one made from a material not well-suited
to your eyes can mean discomfort, inflammation, swelling, abrasion,
or another problem that could, in rare cases, result in permanent
eye tissue damage.
In Australia, you can be fitted for contact lenses by an optometrist.
Optometrists also provide instructions on how to insert, remove
and clean the contact lenses during consultation. A contact lens
prescription is issued as soon as the optometrist is satisfied
that the lenses fit and perform correctly.
Expiry of contact lens prescriptions
Contact lens prescriptions are valid for a maxmium of two years.
Even if you buy your replacement contacts from another source,
you still need to visit your optometrist for regular eye exams
and contact lens fittings.When your prescription expires, it is
time for an aftercare examination by your optometrist and you
won't be able to buy more lenses until you get an updated prescription.
Your optometrist will exam your eyes and make sure that you follow
the lens care instruction properly and contact lenses aren't adversely
affecting your eyes.
How to order contact lenses?
To order contact lenses, you will need a copy
of a contact lens prescription that's less than 2 years old unless
your prescription has zero power. You don't need a prescription
if you are to order colour contact lenses with zero power. You
will be required to select the base curve, diameter, power for
the lenses and the quantity you wish to order. If your prescription
has plano or zero sphere, please select "0.00" for power.
You will be asked to select "Addition" for multifocal
contact lenses. You will be asked to select "Cylinder"
and "Axis" for Toric lenses.
You can by going to Order
Tracking page. Simply click on "repeat contact lens
order" link on the page. The contact lenses you ordered
will be added to your shopping cart. You can then edit your
shopping cart and proceed to check out.
Understanding your Rx
This is a sample of a contact lens prescription.
RIGHT(O.D.) |
8.7 |
14.4 |
+4.25 |
-0.75 |
020 |
CooperVision Frequency Xcel Toric
|
LEFT (O.S.) |
8.7 |
14.4 |
+4.75 |
-1.75 |
030 |
Sphere,Cylinder, Axis and Near Add
Sphere,Cylinder, Axis and Near Add in a contact lens prescription
serve the same purpose as in a eyeglasses prescription. Please
visit the understanding your
prescription page for details. Although you will find the
values in an eyeglasses prescription are not the same as in a
contact lens prescription for the same patient.
A contact lens prescription is not
the same as an eyeglass prescription.
In addition to the lens power, your contact lens prescription
contains Base Curve and Diameter that are related to the size
of the lens. It also contains the name of the contact lens product.
Even the power of the lenses is generally not the same as in your
eyeglass prescription. This is because: the contact lens sits
on the surface of your eye, while your eyeglasses sit about 12
mm in front of your eye.
Expiry Date
Your prescription will also contain an expiration date. This is
generally the date of your next scheduled aftercare examination.
To purchase from us, you may only use a presription that has not
expired.
Base Curve (BC or BCurve)
Base Curve values range from about 8.0 to 9.5. The optometrist
fits the lens with the curvature most appropriate for your eye.
Most lenses come in several different BC values. If your prescription
does not contain a BC value, this is likely because your brand
of lens only comes in one base curve. BC values are a bit like
clothes sizes - just because you are a BC 8.6 in one brand doesn't
mean you will be in another.
Which Way Is the Right Way?
A question many newbie wearers have is: "How
will I know if my contact lens is inside out?" The difference
can be subtle, but before placing a contact lens on your eye,
make sure it looks more like half a ball than a soup bowl. Place
the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then, hold the
lens up directly in front of your eyes so you're looking at the
side of the cup. If the lens forms a "U" with the top
edges flared out, it's inside out. If it forms just a "U,"
it's in the correct position.
If you're wearing lenses with a handling tint, another method
is to place the lens on your fingertip and then look down at
it. The edge of a tinted lens should look very blue (or green,
depending on the tint); that won't be the case if the lens is
inverted.
Some contact lenses also have a laser marking, such as the brand
name, on the edge to help you. If you can read it properly, the
lens is not inside out. Don't worry if you place a contact lens
in your eye inside out. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but
it can't do any damage.
Applying Your Contact Lenses
Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before
applying your contact lens,
but avoid overly scented or oily soaps that might adhere to the
lens surface. Especially avoid using products containing lanolin.
It is a good idea to always apply the first contact lens in the
same eye, so that you avoid the possibility of mixing up lenses
for the right eye and left eye.
Gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution, to
loosen the contact lens should it be stuck. (Don't try pulling
at the lens with your finger, or you might damage it.)
Slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand.
Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.
Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger,
which should be dry or mostly dry.
With the fingers and thumb of your other hand, simultaneously
pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower eyelid.
Position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward,
whichever you find to be easier. You also can apply the contact
lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your
ear.
Roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle, then
blink.
Removing Your Contact Lenses
Always wash your hands before removing contact
lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, make sure you
use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens
might accidentally fall.
To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while
you pull down on your lower eyelid. With a finger, gently maneuver
the lens onto the white of your eye. There, you can very gently
pinch the lens together with your index finger and thumb and
lift it off the eye. Until you master contact lens removal,
you might consider keeping your fingernails clipped to avoid
accidentally scratching and damaging your eye.
Rigid contact lenses can be removed by holding out the palm of
your hand, bending over, and then opening your eye wide. With
one finger of your other hand, pull on the skin of your eye's
outside corner straight out toward your ear with your eye wide
open. Then blink. The contact lens should pop right out and into
your open palm.
Contact Lenses and UV Light
Researchers have linked ultraviolet (UV) light
to the formation of cataracts. Exposure to excessive UV light
also may result in a condition called photokeratitis.
That's why some lenses now incorporate a UV-blocking agent.
You can't tell if a contact lens has a UV blocker just by looking
at it the blocker is provided in clear form, so as not
to disturb vision. The contact lens packaging will specify if
the product has a UV blocker.
It's very important to remember that UV-blocking contacts are
not meant to replace sunglasses. A contact lens covers only your
cornea, not your entire eye. However, UV-blocking contact lenses
do help protect the portion of the white of your eye that is covered
from formation of growths such as pingueculae and pterygia. A
sunglass with UV protection can cover more of your eye and the
parts of your face that surround the eye, depending on the size
of the sunglass lens. That's why contacts with UV blockers are
designed to complement sunglass use as an added protection.
Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses
Getting makeup in your eye is annoying. But it's
even worse with contacts, because it can stick to the lenses instead
of flushing right out. Follow these tips to keep your eyes looking
and feeling good:
Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup. And always
wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts, so
you won't transfer any oils, creams, or lotions to the lenses.
Cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder.
However, creams can also irritate your eyes more if they do
make it into your eyes. Choose water-based rather than oil-based
creams.
If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application.
Then, brush off any excess powder before opening your eye.
Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye. Apply
eyeliner only on the portion of your lashes that is well away
from your eye.
To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your
contacts, being careful not to bump them into any makeup. Finally,
use your eye makeup remover.
The Basics of Soft Contact Lens Care: Clean,
Rinse and Disinfect
Wash your hands so that you don't transfer dirt
and germs to your eye. Try to avoid moisturizing soaps, as they
are not good for contact lenses. Dry your hands with a lint-free
towel.
Remove one lens and clean it with the recommended solution. Cleaning
removes eye-produced buildup, cosmetics and other debris that
impairs lens comfort. The FDA recommends that you rub the lens
in the palm of your hand with a few drops of solution, even if
you are using a "no-rub" product.
Rinse the lens again to remove the loosened debris, making sure
to take as long as the package directs: rinsing is an important
step.
Place the lens in your clean lens case or lens holder and fill
with fresh solution; don't "top off" your old solution.
Disinfecting kills microorganisms on the lens. Disinfection time
varies from product to product; check the package for details.
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