Getting contact lenses

Contact lenses are always prescribed by an eye care professional, which may include an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or an optician with specialized training in contact lens prescription.

You may often find that these professionals are working together under one umbrella. Before prescribing contact lenses for you, your eye care professional will conduct a thorough eye examination, which will evaluate and determine the health of your eyes, and also assess your vision correction needs.

Such an examination will allow the eye care professional to determine what kind of lens is best for you, the lens material to be used, and finally the wearing and replacement schedules you require.

The first pair of contact lenses will usually be provided by your eye care professional. It will often be a trial pair followed by replacement lenses. However, if you so choose, based on the eye care professional's prescription, you could obtain your replacement lenses from a retail source.

It's important to remember that your contact lens prescription may not be the same as those of your eyeglasses. Refractive powers may differ, and you may have to consider other information indicating the material, size and curvature of the contact lens that is right for you.

Wherever you obtain your contact lenses from, it is important that you follow the recommendation of your eye care professional when it comes to lens care and wearing and replacement schedules. This will help to avoid risks and keep your eyes healthy.