Contact lenses are eyewear placed directly onto the surface of your eye. If you wear eyeglasses, the odds are good that you can also wear contact lenses. Even if you are someone who tried contacts in the past with less than perfect success — or if your eye doctor didn't recommend contact lenses at one time — advanced contact lens technology has created innovations that may work for you now.

TYPES OF CONTACTS

Disposable

These are contacts that can be thrown away after each use or used for a short, predetermined schedule of one or two weeks. They are great for people whose busy lifestyles make it difficult to do routine care and cleaning of the lenses.

Colored

A number of different colors and intensities of color are available. You may choose to wear colored contacts every day or only on special occasions. You may use contact lenses to change your eye color even if you don't need vision correction. To do this, you will need a regular contact lens eye exam and consultation with the eye doctor as well as care and cleaning instructions, just as you would if you needed them to correct your eyesight.

Extended Wear

As the name suggests, these contacts may be worn when you are asleep, either overnight or for up to one week.

Gas Permeable

Ask your eye doctor if gas permeable lenses are right for you.  They are designed for very specialized prescriptions.

CONTACT LENSES FOR SPECIFIC EYE CONDITIONS

Astigmatism
For many years, people who had astigmatism were unable to enjoy the convenience and appearance benefit of contact lenses. Now, contacts are available to correct astigmatism. Ask your eye doctor for more information.

Presbyopia
If you are over 40, you may have trouble focusing on objects close to you. That's a condition called presbyopia. And, until recently, the only way to treat it was to wear bifocal glasses or use one near vision contact lens and one far vision contact lens. In 1999, technology became available that combined the two powers in one lens. Bifocal contacts are available in soft and gas permeable materials and even with a disposable or frequent replacement wear regimen.

YOUR CONTACT LENS EYE EXAM

The first step to getting contacts is to visit your eye doctor.*  He or she will give you an eye exam designed to determine if contacts are right for your eyes and your prescription. The contact lens eye exam includes more tests and measurements than a regular exam. It will include an internal and external examination of your eyes and a glaucoma test. The prescription you receive can be used for your contacts and for eyeglasses should you decide, as many people do, that you'd like to have the option of glasses for times when you're not wearing your contacts. (The regular exam prescription for eyeglasses can't be used to fit you with contacts.)

Once you have your exam, you'll explore all the choices and brands available. Here are some things the eye doctor will consider.

• What's your prescription?
You can likely wear contacts if you are nearsighted, farsighted, need bifocals, or have astigmatism.

• What's your sport?
Contacts add enjoyment — even improved performance — to a number of sports. Be sure to ask the eye doctor about precautions you should take to ensure safety in the sports you will play while wearing contacts.

• What are your risks?
If you have allergies, certain hazardous work activities, diabetes, dry eyes or persistent infections of the eye, contacts may not be appropriate for you. Your eye doctor will help you decide.

• Choosing your contacts.
If you and your doctor decide on contact lenses for you, then you'll explore all the choices that are now available and choose the type that are right for your prescription and your lifestyle.

• Caring for your contacts.
When you get your contacts, you'll be shown how to care for them in a way that protects and optimizes the performance of the lenses themselves and safeguards your eye health and vision. This will include an explanation of the products and procedures.

Locate the Sears Optical nearest to you to schedule an appointment.