Call for an appointment: Chandler, AZ (480) 812-2211

 Chandler Optometry - Contact Lenses

 Choosing the Right Contact Lens

So you're interested in contact lenses eh?  Contact lenses are great.  You have freedom from glasses and a broader field of view without frames getting in the way!  We are happy to help you with fitting you in the best contact lenses for your eyes.   Before deciding you want to pursue contact lenses, there are some things you should be aware of.

First, you can't get rid of your glasses.  Contacts are not a substitute for eyeglasses, they are an addition to eyeglasses.  It is not healthy to wear your contact lenses all day. So consider the increased cost.  The exam fee costs more, and you now have to pay for lenses, solution, and contact lens cases as well as for new glasses periodically. So plan on spending about $200.00 to $300.00 more for your eye care each year. If you can't afford this, stay in glasses.

Contact lenses take extra time and care.  The exam takes longer and usually more than one visit is necessary.  You have to learn to put them in, take them out, and take care of them.  You have to give yourself extra time in the morning to put them in. You have to remember when to dispose of them.  You have to buy new contacts when you run out and new solution and cases.  
 
Your vision may not be exactly like it is in glasses.  Sometimes it's clearer and other times it may not be quite as clear, especially in cases of astigmatism.

Contact lenses increase your risk for potentially blinding eye disease.  Thousands of people lose their vision permanently from corneal ulcers.  These ulcers occur without warning. Contacts also cause dryness, discomfort, and redness to one degree or another. 

If, knowing all that, you still are interested in contact lenses, then we are ready to  fit them!

There are a wide variety of contact lenses available.   TV advertisements can sometimes be misleading.  Our job is to help you choose the lens that you will be the happiest with. This means you have to see well with them, they need to be healthy for your eyes, and the need to be comfortable.

There are lenses that breath less oxygen and those that breath more.  If you're going to wear them longer than 8 hours a day, it's best to choose a lens that breathes more.  There are lenses that are daily disposable, 2 week disposables, or 1 month disposable.  Most people choose monthly disposables, but some people get a lot of protein deposits on their lenses and need shorter disposability. 

You also want a lens that is comfortable, especially here in the dry climate of Arizona. Some lenses do better with dry eyes and others don't.  Some lenses are very comfortable but not as healthy for the eyes.  Some lenses are very expensive and others are very inexpensive.  Do you have special needs that require a more expensive lens or is the least expensive adequate for you?  Usually the most expensive lens is not the lens that will give you the most satisfaction.

We'll help you decide which lens is best for you, but below is a synopsis of some of the most common brands of contact lenses, and our opinion about them. 

Biofinity
This is the most common lens we prescribe.  It is not the most expensive, but it's one of the higher breathable lenses.  It is a monthly lens. It is also one of the most comfortable. It is also available for astigmatism. It can be slept in, and is actually FDA approved for 30 day continuous wear, but we still recommend wear for about 10-14 hours per day. 

Acuvue Oasys
 This is the most abused lens on the market.  It's probably the most comfortable lens available right now.  It is a two week lens.  It does not breath as much as Biofinity.  It is steep at the edge which pinches off the tear flow under the lens.  This causes unhealthy tears under the lens which leads to a higher incidence of corneal ulcers and inflammation.  

Ciba Night & Day
This lens breathes the most oxygen and is the only lens we recommend for sleeping in on a regular basis. However, there are still people in this lens who get corneal ulcers from sleeping in the lens.  It is fairly comfortable for most people.  It is not available for patients with astigmatism. It is also one of the most expensive lenses.  

Air Optix
This monthly lens is heavily advertised.  It is about the same oxygen permeability as Biofinity and about the same cost.  The problem with this lens is that it is not as comfortable as the Biofinity or Night & Day lens, so now we rarely fit this lens.  

Purevision
This lens breathes like Biofinity, and is quite inexpensive, but it is less comfortable and harder to handle.  We rarely fit this lens. 

Purevision 2
Purevision 2 is a brand new monthly contact lens. It is supposed to be an improvement on the Purevision.  Bausch and Lomb studies show that Purevision 2 is as comfortable as the Acuvue Oasys lens, without constricting the tear flow.  Cost is slightly more than Biofinity.  We don't have enough experience yet with this to prefer it over Biofinity, but we will try all our new fits in this lens vs. the Biofinity and see which one the patient thinks is more comfortable.  It does not yet correct for astigmatism. We'll post our impression of this lens as our opinion is formulated.   

Clarity H2O and Extreme H2O
These lenses are just as comfortable or even more comfortable than Acuvue Oasys, but don't breath as much oxygen as other lenses.  These are ideal for patients that want to wear their lenses less than 8 hours per day. 


Others 

We also offer rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPs), bitoric contact lenses, bifocal contact lenses (soft and RGP), hybrid lenses (Synergeyes), lenses for keratoconus (Formcon & others), and Corneal Reshaping Therapy (Paragon CRT) lenses, colored contact lenses (Freshlook Colorblends & Illusions) and specialty lenses (Wild Eyes).  Other brands we offer are Proclear Compatibles, Frequency 55, Biomedics 55, and others.  We can order any lens.   

Ordering lenses is fast and easy with a rapid turnaround time. 

Sonoran Desert Eye Care's Optometrist Dr. Quaranta performs all contact lens exams and fittings. It is very important for him that you are as satisfied with your contacts as possible. Call 480.812.2211 to schedule your appointment today in our Chandler eye care office. *Please remember to wear your contact lenses to your appointment.

 

American Optometry Association recommendations regarding caring for your contact lenses

  • Wash hands properly before handling contacts and coming in contact with your eyes.
  • Clean and store your contact lenses as directed by your optometrist.
  • Store contact lenses properly and replace your cases regularly.
  • Discard lenses as directed.
  • Contact us if you experience chronic blurry vision, redness, and severe itching.
  • Do not go to sleep with your contacts in overnight.

Lens Wear Helpful Hints

  • Follow Dr. Quaranta's instructions on lens care.
  • Use appropriate sunglasses while in the sun.
  • Do not rub eyes while wearing contact lenses.
  • Give your eyes enough rest from the contact lenses.  Have a pair of stylish glasses to wear a few hours a day and a day or two a week. 

 

Sonoran Desert Eye Center
2211 E. Pecos Road, Suite 1
Chandler, AZ  85225
Phone: 480.812.2211
kevinq@sonorandeserteye.com