Contact Lenses

More than 45 million people in the United States wear contact lenses. If you struggle to see clearly from a distance or close up, schedule an appointment at Vistasite Eye Care Inwood in Inwood, Manhattan. Vanessa Silva, OD, can determine if you’re a candidate for eyeglasses, contacts, or both so you can see more clearly. Schedule an eye exam by calling the New York City office or requesting an appointment online today. 

What are contact lenses?

Contact lenses are round, thin, and clear lenses that can correct your vision when worn in your eyes. They help correct refractive errors that change the shape of your eye, preventing clear vision. Contact lenses can help you focus your vision at near and far distances and are an effective alternative to glasses. 

Which conditions can contact lenses correct?

Contacts can correct vision issues linked to:

• Farsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Nearsightedness
• Age-related farsightedness (presbyopia)

Wearing contacts versus glasses may be helpful if you lead an active lifestyle or prefer the look of contacts over glasses. 

What are the different types of contact lenses?

Examples of the various contact lenses include:

Soft contact lenses

Soft contacts consist of flexible plastic that conforms comfortably to the shape of your eye. However, they are often fragile, so be gentle when handling them. You may wear a pair for two weeks before switching to a fresh pair.

Gas permeable contacts

Gas permeable contacts are harder than soft lenses. They are strong and firm, but still allow oxygen to flow to your eyes. While they may be less comfortable than soft lenses initially, they’re more durable. 

Daily wear contact lenses

Daily wear contacts are worn during the day and taken out at night. Avoid sleeping in daily wear contacts to minimize the risk of an eye infection. 

Extended wear contacts

You can keep extended wear contacts in your eyes during the day and at night while you sleep. You might be able to keep them in your eyes continuously for about 30 days. 

Daily disposable lenses

Daily disposable contact lenses are worn for just one day. Before you go to bed, you can throw them away and wear a new pair the next morning. 

Specialty contacts

Vistasite Eye Care Inwood offers numerous other contact lenses. Examples include hybrid lenses, toric lenses that correct astigmatism, multifocal contacts, scleral lenses, Ortho-K lenses for nighttime wear, and cosmetic lenses that alter the appearance of your eyes. 

Are contact lenses right for me?

Dr. Silva completes an eye exam to determine if you’re a candidate for glasses or contact lenses. While most people can wear them, contacts might not be right for you if you have recurrent eye infections, dry eyes, severe allergies, or exposure to excessive dust or fumes.

During your eye exam, Dr. Silva uses a specialized light to examine your eyes. She also completes vision screening and may dilate your pupils. Dr. Silva also discusses your lifestyle, preferences, and goals to determine the best vision correction treatment for you. 

How can I safely wear contact lenses?

It’s important to wash your hands before touching contacts and placing them in your eyes to reduce the risk of an infection. Clean your contacts and storage case as directed by Dr. Silva and avoid exposing your contacts to water. 

Be gentle when handling soft contact lenses to avoid tearing. Have eyeglasses or a spare pair of contacts on hand in case a contact gets damaged or lost. Attend routine eye exams and vision screenings at Vistasite Eye Care Inwood yearly or as directed by your provider. 

Schedule an eye exam at Vistasite Eye Care Inwood by phone or online today to determine if contact lenses are right for you.