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Contact Lenses

Matossian Eye Associates is proud to offer the latest in contact lenses to our patients. The information that follows is meant to provide you with some basic information regarding this exciting area of vision correction.

• Lens Types
• Patients over 40
• Examination and Fitting
• Follow-up
• Payment
• Vision Service Agreement

LENS TYPES

Contact Lenses are cosmetic devices worn on the eye to correct refractive errors. They can be made from soft (hydrophilic) or rigid gas permeable materials. Lenses may be clear, tinted for ease of handling, or colored to enhance one's appearance. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages of these different lens types. In some cases, one lens type is distinctly better for a particular person than is another lens type. We will discuss which lens is best for you after your initial eye examination.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are made from "hard" plastics. They are small and fit on the cornea (clear part) of the eye. RGPs are relatively durable, and can last for years. They usually give crisp, clear vision, and they automatically correct small amount of astigmatism.

The care of these lenses is simple and inexpensive. Allergic problems and toxic reactions are rare. Fitting of RGPs, however, needs to be more precise than fitting of soft lenses. That is, a "custom" fit is required for each eye. There is also an adjustment period during which the new lens wearer can feel the contact in his/her eye. Most motivated individuals will quickly adapt to the lenses, but some people are unable to tolerate this initial discomfort.

Soft Contacts are made from a variety of materials, all of which "hold water". This property allows the lenses to remain soft and flexible when worn. Soft lenses drape over the entire cornea (clear part of the eye) and extend onto the sclera (white part of the eye). The chief advantage of soft lenses is that they are readily accepted by most patients and are comfortable from the start.

Some lenses can be worn while sleeping, although this is known to increase the possibility of complications, including corneal ulcers, and is not recommended by our practice.

Because soft lenses conform to the cornea, they do not correct for astigmatism unless this astigmatic correction is ground into the lens (toric lenses). Patients with small amount of astigmatism may note that their vision is not as sharp with soft contacts as with glasses. Soft lenses are flimsy, and for many people can be difficult to handle at first. They also have a tendency to develop a build up of deposits which can irritate the eye. Soft lenses require relatively frequent replacement. Recently, disposable and programmed replacement lenses have become available which can provide frequent new lenses at a reasonable price. Care of soft lenses, like RGPs, requires daily cleaning and disinfecting. Enzyme cleaning may also be needed periodically.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS OVER 40

Bifocal wearers must decide how their different distance and near visual correction demands will be met.

• One option is to wear contacts that correct only for distance, and use a pair of reading glasses whenever help with reading is needed.
• Some patients choose a path called monovision, where one contact lens corrects for distance and the other corrects for near. This option is well accepted by many patients, but not all. It can decrease depth perception slightly, and it does take a short period of adjustment.
• The final option is bifocal contact lenses. Bifocal lenses can be fit in either RGP or soft styles. Recent advances in the technology of bifocal contacts is making them acceptable to many contact lens wearers.

EXAMINATION AND FITTING

Not all people are good candidates for contact lens wear. A thorough medical examination of the eye is essential before contact lens fitting can be considered. If the doctor determines that you are a candidate for contact lenses, then a trial fitting can be scheduled. A doctor cannot simply take you glasses prescription and convert it into a contact lens! Each person must be individually fit for their contacts, be they RGP or soft lenses.

If you have previously or are currently wearing lenses, it is helpful if we can obtain your old lens specifications. This may allow us to make adjustments to improve the fit or vision without starting "from scratch".

If a complete contact lens fitting is needed, please realize that this can be time consuming. Our doctors are dedicated to making certain that each patient is fit with the best lens for their eye, thus helping to assure the highest likelihood of good vision and comfortable lenses. Trial lens fitting may take 1 to 2 hours.

FOLLOW-UP

When your lenses are dispensed, you will be instructed on lens insertion, removal and care. A wearing schedule will be given to you and follow-up visits scheduled. Cleanliness and careful handling of the lenses are a must. Infection can occur even in the best of circumstances, but careful adherence to the cleaning/disinfection regimen will minimize the likelihood of problems. Lenses are fragile and easily ruined by improper or rough handling. Even when well cared for, lenses may tear or warp.

After successful contact lens wear has been established, six month or yearly examinations are necessary to check that the lenses fit correctly, are not worn out or damaged, and are not causing any complications to the eye. We will send you a reminder card, but it is your responsibility to make recommended follow-up appointments. Contact lens prescriptions will not be renewed without yearly examinations.

PAYMENT

Initial fitting and follow-up appointments are provided at a package price. This includes the fitting, lenses, instructions on care and insertion/removal, and follow-up visits during the first 3 months following delivery of the lenses. Prices vary depending upon the lenses, and a price list is available from our office. Because we are committed to spending as much time as needed with each contact lens patient, the following payment policies have been established:

1. We require 50% of the total price at the time the lenses are ordered with the balance due when the lenses are dispensed. Lenses will not be dispensed until they are paid in full.
2. Because trial fitting may take 1 to 2 hours, there is a charge if the fitting is done but no lenses are ordered. Should lenses subsequently be ordered, the already paid fitting charge will be applied to the total charge.
3. When the lenses are dispensed, training in the use and care of the lenses requires an appointment that may take up to an hour.
4. If either the doctor or the patient decide within 2 weeks from the time of delivery of the lenses that they are unsuitable for any reason, the patient may return the lenses and be refunded the total price paid less the fee for the fitting and training sessions.

VISION SERVICE AGREEMENT

A patient may purchase a Vision Service Agreement (VSA) that allows them to obtain replacement lenses during the covered period at a reduced price. Currently we offer VSA for one or two year periods. Please check our current price lists for cost.