Contact Lenses
Great prices on eyeglasses, and contacts, too!
While "Contacts" may not be part of our name, they are definitely a big part of our store. You will find the lowest prices, and all major brands of contacts here - including ACUVUE, Air Optix, FreshLook, PureVision, Sofmed and Biofinity. We also carry most specialty lenses.
Ordering from Eyeglass World is easy and convenient - click here to buy now.
Thinking about wearing contacts but not sure where to start? Read on.
There are two ways to categorize contact lenses - "wear type" and "tint type." Most wear types come in most tint types, and vice versa. A quick introduction follows below - if you have any questions, one of our associates would be happy to help you.
Wear Type Characteristics
Disposable
Disposable lenses are the most highly-recommended lens at Eyeglass World. This type of lens offers far more benefits than any other lens type. Disposable lenses are worn and discarded every one to two weeks. The lenses require less care than daily wear soft lenses, as they are replaced more often. Doctors believe frequent replacement reduces the risk of infection. Disposable contacts are available in several materials, including the latest technology silicon hydrogels (like Sofmed Breathables). These lenses feel moister than some other contacts, and as a result, many people find them much more comfortable to wear.
Visual acuity also increases as new lenses are placed in the eye more frequently. These lenses are usually prescribed to be worn daily and removed at night. Depending on the patient, the Doctor may prescribe an extended wear schedule.
Daily Wear Soft
These lenses are worn on a daily basis and are removed nightly to be cleaned. One pair of daily wear lenses will last six months to one year, depending on the practitioner's prescribed wearing schedule. These lenses are handled more frequently, which can result in lost or torn lenses. Toric lenses are also available, for patients who need a correction for astigmatism.
Extended Wear Soft
These lenses are more oxygen-permeable and can sometimes be worn longer than daily wear lenses. Some patients may be able to occasionally sleep in these lenses, but this is determined by the doctor only. The optometrist will set standards for each patient as to how long the lenses should be worn before being removed and cleaned. Since these lenses are handled less frequently, the risk of losing or tearing a lens is somewhat reduced. The lenses, however, are thinner than daily wear soft lenses, and thus must be handled more gently.
Programmed Replacement Soft
These lenses are also called Frequent Replacement Lenses. They are worn on a daily basis and are thrown away after one to three months of wear, as instructed by the optometrist.
Gas Permeable
Gas permeable contact lenses are most often prescribed to patients with astigmatism. The lenses may, however, be prescribed for spherical patients. These lenses are made of a semi-rigid, silicon-based plastic that allows oxygen to pass through the lens and into the cornea. The gas permeable contact lens is more difficult to adjust to due to the rigidity of the lens. It takes about three weeks of wear to become comfortable with the feel of the lens on the eye.
Tint Type Characteristics
Clear
These lenses are completely clear, and they can be difficult to see when cleaning and placing in eyes.
Visibility Tint, also called Handling Tint
These lenses have a very light tint (usually blue) to make them easier to see when handling and cleaning. The tint is very light; it does not "tint" your vision and will not change the color of your eyes.
Enhancing Tint
These lenses have a tint which enhances the color of a similarly-colored eye. For example, if you have light blue eyes, a blue-enhancing tint contact lens will make your eyes appear a darker and more intense blue. Your vision is not tinted; the central part of the lens that you see through (the pupil) is kept clear. If the lens is chosen well, it is usually difficult for others to notice that you are wearing an enhancing tint contact lens. An enhancing tint cannot change eye color to a different hue (from brown to blue, for example). For that, you need an opaque lens.
Opaque
In an opaque tinted contact lens, the part of the lens which covers the colored area of your eye (the iris) is tinted with color so deeply that it blocks out the natural color of your eye. This type of lens can change, for example, brown eyes to blue. Your vision is not tinted - the central part of the lens that you see through (the pupil) is kept clear.
Something to keep in mind...
Many people experience some difficulty upon their first "contact" with contact lenses. This is normal - after all, you're putting something in your eye! At Eyeglass World, trained professionals will help you every step of the way with a number of easy insertion techniques. In most cases, we can have you enjoying your new contacts the very same day.
It's unlikely, but you might decide that contact lenses aren't right for you. If that happens, we'll return the cost of the lenses minus the exam fee. Or, we'll apply the money you spent on contact lenses toward the purchase of any pair of eyeglasses in our store. There are some restrictions to what you can return, so ask for details at the store.
Call or visit the Eyeglass World near you for more information.
