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Contacts
Utah Valley Eye Center has been fitting contact lenses for over 30 years. There have been many advances in contact lens design and materials which have made them a clear and comfortable option for those requiring vision correction. Contact lenses need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what type of lens you select.
Contacts
Utah Valley Eye Center has been fitting contact lenses for over 30 years. There have been many advances in contact lens design and materials which have made them a clear and comfortable option for those requiring vision correction. Contact lenses need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what type of lens you select.
Our doctors have extensive training and experience in fitting
the most popular contact lenses including:
the most popular contact lenses including:
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lensesSoft lenses are made out of a soft, flexible plastic material that allows oxygen to pass through them to the cornea. Soft contact lenses are the most widely used contact lens option. Contact lenses need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what type of lens your doctor fits you in. This is usually determined by your ocular history and lifestyle.
Rigid, gas permeable contact lenses (RGP)
Rigid, gas permeable contact lenses (RGP)RGP lenses are made out of a hard, durable plastic which includes silicone. Silicone allows oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea keeping the eye healthy.
Benefits of RGP lenses:
- Crisp vision- In some cases, RGP lenses can provide better vision than most soft lenses and are more resistant to deposits than soft lenses.
- Affordability- RGP lenses can be more affordable in the long run if you take very good care of them. Since these lenses can be used for many years you do not need to replace them until you have a change in your prescription.
- Keratoconus- Patients who have been diagnosed with keratoconus will have the best vision and fit when using an RGP lens.
There are some downsides to RGP lenses including:
- Adaptation time- RGP lenses are not as instantly comfortable like soft lenses are. You will need to get used to wearing your RGP lenses over a period of days or weeks.
- Extra care for lenses- You will need to make a habit of caring for your RGP lenses.
- Increased risk of dislodging- RGP lenses are smaller than a soft lens which increases the chances of the lens falling out of the eye during
contact sports or if you rub your eyes aggressively.
Hybrid lenses
Hybrid lensesHybrid lenses are great for patients that need the clarity of a RGP lens, but want the comfort of a soft lens. Hybrid lenses are made out of a gas permeable lens material centrally with a surrounding skirt made out of a silicone hydrogel like a soft lens. Both parts of the lens are personalized for you based on your eye shape and prescription.
Utah Valley Eye Center uses SynergEyes lenses. These lenses are the only approved hybrid lenses available. It is recommended that you replace SynergEyes lenses every 6 months.
Find more information at https://synergeyes.com/
Scleral lenses
Scleral lensesScleral lenses are custom made for each patient’s individual eye. These lenses are large diameter lenses that are filled with liquid and vault over the entire surface of the cornea (the front part of the eye) and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye).
Scleral lenses are beneficial for patients who have keratoconus, a high amount of astigmatism, or extreme dry eyes.
Any of our experienced optometrists are happy to discuss scleral lenses with you at your appointment. Fitting and training of scleral lens insertion will be scheduled on a separate date than your complete exam. Perfectly fitting scleral lenses can take some time and patience. You will need to come back for a scleral contact lens check before finalizing your fit and prescription.
Bifocal or Multifocal Contacts
Bifocal contacts are contacts that correct both distance and near in the same lens. These lenses are beneficial for patients who have developed presbyopia and have difficulty focusing up close. When trying bifocal or multifocal contacts you may find that your vision may not be perfect at either distance or near. In some cases it may feel like you need to compromise in one way or another. Oftentimes this compromise will depend upon your individual needs. Patients with astigmatism are not ideal candidates for multifocal lenses. We are happy to order a trial pair of contact lenses for you so you can try a bifocal or multifocal lens before you order a supply of lenses. Bifocal and multifocal contacts are offered in soft lens materials as well as RGP.
Astigmatism Correcting Contacts
We see many patients with astigmatism and many of these patients are successful contact lens wearers. Astigmatism correcting contacts are an affordable and
convenient option for patients with mild to moderate astigmatism. These lenses will improve blurred vision, distortion, and offer a wider visual field than glasses. They are
beneficial for patients with an active lifestyle.
Astigmatism correcting lenses are offered as a soft lens, an RGP, or hybrid.
Astigmatism Correcting Contacts
We see many patients with astigmatism and many of these patients are successful contact lens wearers. Astigmatism correcting contacts are an affordable and
convenient option for patients with mild to moderate astigmatism. These lenses will improve blurred vision, distortion, and offer a wider visual field than glasses. They are
beneficial for patients with an active lifestyle.
Astigmatism correcting lenses are offered as a soft lens, an RGP, or hybrid.
Colored Contacts
Many patients like to have some colored contacts in addition to the contacts they wear day to day. Ask your eye doctor about colored contacts at your yearly eye exam.
Go to https://colors.myalcon.com/color-contact-lenses/play-with-eye-color/ to test out colored contacts at home!
Colored Contacts
Many patients like to have some colored contacts in addition to the contacts they wear day to day. Ask your eye doctor about colored contacts at your yearly eye exam.
Go to https://colors.myalcon.com/color-contact-lenses/play-with-eye-color/ to test out colored contacts at home!
If you are interested in wearing contact lenses you should ask for a complete exam with a contact lens fitting at the time of scheduling your appointment.
Your eye doctor will determine the best contact lenses for your individual needs. A trained technician will go over the insertion and removal of contact lenses with you and you will be taught about proper contact lens care. Your eye doctor may want to see you a few weeks after your initial examination for a contact lens check. Once your prescription is finalized and you are happy with your vision and contact lens comfort you will be able to order contacts with our contact lens department.
If you are interested in wearing contact lenses you should ask for a complete exam with a contact lens fitting at the time of scheduling your appointment. Your eye doctor will determine the best contact lenses for your individual needs. A trained technician will go over the insertion and removal of contact lenses with you and you will be taught about proper contact lens care. Your eye doctor may want to see you a few weeks after your initial examination for a contact lens check. Once your prescription is finalized and you are happy with your vision and contact lens comfort you will be able to order contacts with our contact lens department.
