Contact lenses have evolved into a practical and often liberating option for vision correction. Modern lens materials, improved oxygen transmission, and refined designs mean many people can wear lenses comfortably for regular daily use, sports, or special occasions. Contacts can deliver natural-feeling vision and an unobstructed field of view that eyeglasses cannot replicate.
Beyond vision correction, contact lenses can be a tool for lifestyle and self-expression. From daily disposables that simplify care to colored lenses that subtly or dramatically change eye appearance, there are choices to match how you live and what you value. Safety and success begin with an exam and a thoughtful fitting—steps that prioritize healthy eyes and reliable vision.
At Specs Appeal, we combine clinical know-how with practical fitting experience so patients leave feeling confident with their lenses. Our goal is to recommend options that balance vision, comfort, and the realities of each person’s day-to-day routine.
Today, contact lenses are more versatile, more comfortable, and more convenient than ever before! Thanks to advances in vision care technology and lens materials, contact lenses offer satisfying, easy-to-wear, and safe solutions to address a broad range of needs.
At the office of Specs Appeal, you can feel confident that your family’s eye care needs are in the best of hands. We provide experienced and compassionate care to help patients of all ages enjoy the benefits of healthy eyes and vision. If you or any member of your family is interested in getting examined and expertly fitted with contact lenses or would like additional information, we’re happy to help. From assessing eye health to accurately fitting you with the right contact lenses and instructing you in the proper lens care methods, we’re with you every step of the way.
It’s essential to keep in mind that selecting the correct contact lenses is based on your vision prescription, eye anatomy, and daily needs. During a contact lens exam and fitting, our eye doctor will measure your eyes, select the proper lens type, and determine the precise amount of vision correction that’s required. In addition to prescribing lenses for corrective and medical purposes, contacts are also available to cosmetically transform and enhance eye color.
According to national data, tens of millions of people rely on contact lenses for clear vision. Many wearers use lenses to correct common refractive errors—myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia—while others rely on them for therapeutic or cosmetic reasons. The variety of lens technologies available today makes it possible to match specific eye shapes and visual goals.
By wearing contact lenses, individuals who are dealing with either one or a combination of the following refractive errors can enjoy clear, crisp vision:
Nearsightedness (myopia)
Farsightedness (hyperopia)
Blurred vision from irregular corneal shape (astigmatism)
Age-related difficulty focusing up close (presbyopia)
A contact lens is a small medical device that rests on the tear film over your cornea. While many people use lenses for routine vision correction, others wear them for therapeutic reasons prescribed by an eye care professional. Even “cosmetic” colored lenses are regulated and require a prescription because they interact directly with the surface of the eye.
Choosing the correct design and accurately fitting the contact lenses are essential for healthy and comfortable wear. While getting fitted for contact lenses is typically a routine procedure, some people fall into the “Hard to Fit” category. At the office of Specs Appeal, we offer a comprehensive range of vision care services, including hard-to-fit contact lenses for the treatment of eye irregularities related to disease or injury.
A contact lens exam goes beyond checking whether a pair of lenses will sharpen your vision. It evaluates how lenses will sit on the surface of your eye and whether your eyes are healthy enough to tolerate lens wear. Measurements and screening during the exam reduce the chance of discomfort, poor vision, or complications later on.
Tests commonly include corneal curvature measurements, tear film assessment, and precise refractive testing that accounts for the fact that a contact lens rests directly on the eye rather than several millimeters away like eyeglasses. We also review your medical history, medications, and any symptoms such as dryness or irritation that might affect lens choices.
An important distinction is that a contact lens exam complements—but does not replace—a comprehensive eye exam. Periodic comprehensive exams are essential for monitoring overall eye health, while contact-specific visits focus on fitting, lens performance, and safe wear.
After gathering measurements and test results, your clinician will recommend lens options and a wear schedule that suits your eyes and lifestyle. The fitting process often includes trial lenses so we can evaluate comfort and vision in real time. Adjustments are made as needed until the fit and visual outcome are satisfactory.
Hands-on instruction is a key part of the visit. We’ll demonstrate insertion and removal techniques and review safe cleaning and storage practices for reusable lenses. For daily-disposable lenses, we’ll discuss handling and disposal habits that minimize infection risk. Proper technique dramatically reduces complications and increases confidence.
Follow-up is also part of the process. We schedule check-ins to confirm the lenses feel good, the eyes look healthy, and the prescription remains accurate. Those visits help catch issues early and allow us to fine-tune lens choices.
Selecting the right lens is a mix of clinical fit and practical preference. We consider your prescription, corneal shape, tear quality, daily activities, and how much maintenance you want to do. Some people prefer the convenience of daily disposables, while others like the durability and optical performance of reusable lenses or rigid lenses.
Environmental factors matter: athletes and active people often do better with contacts that resist displacement during motion, while people who spend many hours at screens may benefit from lenses designed for improved comfort and moisture retention. Budgetary considerations and replacement schedules are discussed without focusing on price: our priority is recommending what keeps your eyes healthiest.
We’ll present lens options clearly, including the benefits and trade-offs of each approach, so you can make an informed choice that fits both your vision needs and daily routine.
Soft lenses, made from hydrated polymer materials, are the most commonly prescribed due to their immediate comfort. They come in daily disposables, planned-replacement schedules, and extended-wear formats. Daily disposables remove maintenance steps and reduce exposure to preserved solutions, while replacement lenses offer cost-effective options with appropriate care.
RGP lenses are firmer than soft lenses and maintain their shape on the eye, often delivering sharper vision for certain conditions. They allow healthy oxygen flow and can be a durable option for people who tolerate them well. RGPs are commonly used for irregular corneas and specific visual demands where crisp optics are a priority.
Toric lenses correct astigmatism by aligning the lens to the cornea’s curvatures. Multifocal lenses and monovision strategies address presbyopia—multifocals provide simultaneous zones for near and distance, while monovision uses one eye for distance and the other for near. Each approach has trade-offs, and trial wear helps determine which delivers the best real-world results.
Proper lens care is the single most important habit for healthy lens wear. Whether you use daily disposables or reusable lenses, follow the handling, cleaning, and replacement guidance given at your fitting. Always wash and dry your hands before touching lenses, and never sleep in lenses unless specifically approved by your clinician.
Regular review visits safeguard both comfort and eye health. Contact lens prescriptions and fit should be checked periodically—typically at least once a year—to confirm that the lenses remain appropriate and that the ocular surface is healthy. Early attention to redness, persistent discomfort, or vision changes helps prevent more serious problems.
We emphasize clear instructions, sensible wear schedules, and timely follow-ups so lens wear remains a safe and enjoyable experience for every patient.
Contact lens exams are an essential step toward comfortable, effective lens wear. A precise fit, thorough education, and periodic follow-up protect your vision and reduce risks. Whether you’re new to contacts or looking to improve an existing fit, a professional evaluation ensures the best outcome.
If you’d like to learn more about contact lens options or arrange an exam, please contact us for additional information. We’re happy to answer questions and guide you toward the best solution for your eyes.
Unlike an eyeglass lens positioned approximately 12mm away from your eye, a contact lens sits directly on its surface. In addition to determining the lens power needed to correct any vision impairment, your contact lens prescription requires information about the anatomy of your eye, the curvature of the cornea, the diameter of the lens, and other parameters. This data helps ensure an accurate fit and optimal vision correction, which in turn supports healthy and comfortable wear.
Although contact lenses offer a convenient and comfortable alternative to eyeglasses, it’s essential to handle, wear, and maintain them as directed. With proper care, the risk of problems is quite low. However, not wearing or taking care of your contacts can cause significant problems and lead to eye infections, corneal abrasions, dry eyes, corneal ulcers, or other issues, including vision loss. Remember, it’s essential to be vigilant and get professional guidance and care as soon as a problem develops.
While contact lenses provide millions of people with an effective and satisfying solution for a broad range of vision impairments and eye issues, some people cannot comfortably or safely wear them. If you are prone to eye infections, have severe allergies or dry eyes that are not responsive to treatment, are exposed to a dusty daily environment, or cannot properly care for contact lenses, we’ll recommend a different option in care.
While, in some ways, contact lens considerations for children are the same as those for teenagers and adults, some significant differences require further discussion. Whether or not a child is a candidate for contact lenses and at what age they can safely wear them depends on several factors. For one thing, it’s essential to evaluate how well a child can handle the responsibility of safely and properly caring for their contacts. Another consideration is the presence of underlying medical conditions or significant seasonal allergies. At our office, we provide skilled and experienced care. If you are interested in contact lenses for your child, we’re well equipped to advise you on the healthiest and safest vision care options.
The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. The reason is that certain bacteria present in impure water can become attached to contact lenses, increasing the risk of infection and possible vision loss. However, if lenses are worn in a bathtub or hot tub, it’s essential to avoid getting water splashed in your eyes. Also, tight-fitting goggles can offer a measure of protection when swimming with contact lenses.
Based on research and scientific evidence, the American Optometric Association offers the following advice:
“If lenses are accidentally exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye then remove the lens with clean, dry hands. Next, clean and disinfect the lens before re-inserting, or discard the lens. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water without first cleaning and disinfecting it. If lenses were removed prior to getting in a bathtub or hot tub, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.”
A prescription for contact lenses is valid for a year. Purchasing contact lenses requires an annual eye exam to generate a valid prescription.
It’s always worthwhile to invest in your vision! With that said, the cost of contact lenses varies. It all depends on the type of lens, whether they are daily or extended wear or specialized lenses designed for a specific purpose. Most vision insurance plans provide some coverage for contact lenses. However, copays and coinsurance rates can vary by plan. In some cases, when a medical condition precludes eyeglasses, a patient may receive coverage for contacts under their medical insurance.
At the office of Specs Appeal, we provide the finest quality of care to help patients of all ages maintain healthy eyes and enjoy optimal vision. We offer a comprehensive range of services from eye exams, prescription lenses, and all types of contact lenses, to vision screenings to detect any signs of disease or injury affecting the health of your eyes. Our position at the forefront of advances in vision technology and treatment methods demonstrates our dedication to serving our patients' needs. It’s also the reason so many patients choose our office for care.
A contact lens exam focuses on how a lens will fit and function on the surface of your eye in addition to measuring your refractive error. The visit includes corneal measurements, tear film evaluation, and fitting trials that are not part of a standard glasses-focused exam. This specialized assessment helps reduce the chance of discomfort, poor vision, or complications once you begin wearing lenses.
A contact lens exam complements a comprehensive eye exam rather than replaces it, because overall eye health still needs routine monitoring. At Specs Appeal we perform both comprehensive and contact-specific testing so fit and ocular health are evaluated together. Periodic comprehensive exams remain essential to detect medical conditions that can affect lens wear over time.
Many people of different ages and prescriptions can successfully wear contact lenses, including those with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Good candidates generally have healthy ocular surfaces and the ability to follow lens care instructions, while certain medical conditions such as severe dry eye or active eye infection may require treatment before fitting. An individualized clinical evaluation determines whether contact lenses are a safe and practical option.
Candidates also include people who want a wider field of view for sports or who prefer the aesthetic flexibility of being free from glasses. Children and teenagers can be fitted when they demonstrate the maturity and hygiene habits needed for safe wear. Trial wear and follow-up visits help confirm suitability and comfort before a final prescription is issued.
A typical contact lens exam includes corneal curvature measurements (keratometry or topography), tear film and blink assessment, and a refraction performed with the eye in its natural state and during lens trials. A slit-lamp examination inspects the ocular surface, eyelids, and tear film to identify conditions that could influence lens choice or wear time. These objective measurements guide the selection of lens type, diameter, and curvature that will best suit your eye.
Your clinician will also review your medical history, medications, and any symptoms such as dryness or irritation that affect lens selection. For specialty fits, additional measures like corneal mapping and scleral profile imaging may be collected to design a custom solution. Accurate records from these tests ensure repeatable, safe, and comfortable lens performance over time.
Selecting the optimal lens involves balancing your prescription needs, corneal shape, tear quality, daily activities, and personal preferences about maintenance. The clinician considers material oxygen permeability, lens design (soft, RGP, scleral, or hybrid), and replacement schedule to match ocular physiology and lifestyle demands. Trial lenses are commonly used to evaluate real-world comfort and vision before finalizing the recommendation.
Eye anatomy and visual goals sometimes require staged trials or alternative strategies, such as multifocal designs or monovision for presbyopia. The fitting process includes adjustments to lens parameters until comfort, centration, and visual acuity are satisfactory. Clear communication about how you use your eyes each day helps the practitioner narrow choices that deliver predictable performance.
A fitting appointment typically begins with measurements and a detailed eye health exam, followed by insertion of trial lenses to assess comfort and vision. Your clinician will demonstrate and coach insertion and removal techniques, and you will practice under supervision until you feel confident handling the lenses. Immediate feedback during trial wear allows for rapid adjustments to the lens type or parameters.
Hands-on education also covers safe cleaning, storage, and replacement practices for the lens type prescribed. If you receive daily disposables, the focus will be on handling and disposal habits that minimize infection risk, while reusable lenses require cleaning protocols. A follow-up visit is usually scheduled to confirm the fit and ocular response after an initial wear period.
Hard-to-fit eyes can result from irregular corneas, keratoconus, post-surgical changes, scarring, or severe dry eye, and they require a more detailed evaluation. Advanced diagnostics such as corneal topography, scleral profiling, and tear osmolarity testing help identify the specific shape and surface issues affecting lens performance. These data guide the design of custom or specialty lenses like rigid gas-permeable (RGP), scleral, or hybrid lenses that vault or support irregular surfaces.
Treatment planning often involves close coordination between medical management and lens fitting to optimize ocular surface health before or during the fitting process. Your clinician will outline realistic expectations for comfort and visual outcomes and may recommend staged fittings or therapeutic measures to improve tolerance. Specialized lenses can provide substantial visual improvement when standard options are not suitable.
Consistent, hygienic handling is the cornerstone of safe lens wear: always wash and dry your hands before touching lenses, follow the recommended cleaning regimen for reusable lenses, and replace lenses on the schedule specified by your clinician. Never sleep in lenses unless explicitly approved, and avoid exposing lenses to water from pools or showers to reduce infection risk. Early attention to discomfort, persistent redness, or vision changes helps prevent more serious complications.
Routine follow-up visits allow your eye care team to check the fit, ocular surface health, and prescription accuracy and to make timely adjustments as needed. Annual or more frequent reviews are standard practice to ensure lenses remain appropriate as eyes and visual needs change. At Specs Appeal we document fit parameters and schedule check-ins so wear remains comfortable and safe over the long term.
Yes, modern contact lens designs address both astigmatism and presbyopia through toric lenses and multifocal or monovision strategies. Toric lenses have stabilizing features that align with the cornea’s curvature to correct astigmatism, while multifocal lenses incorporate simultaneous zones or concentric optics to provide both near and distance vision. Monovision is an alternative strategy that corrects one eye for distance and the other for near vision, and candidacy is determined through trial wear.
Each approach has trade-offs in visual quality and adaptation time, so trial fitting is important to determine which solution provides the most functional vision for your daily tasks. Your clinician will measure performance in real-world conditions and make adjustments to lens type or dominance strategy as needed. The goal is a predictable visual outcome that matches your lifestyle and visual priorities.
Cosmetic and colored lenses are medical devices and require the same professional fitting and prescription as corrective lenses to be used safely. A proper fit ensures the lens moves and centers correctly on the ocular surface and minimizes risks such as corneal abrasion, irritation, or infection. Purchasing lenses without a prescription or skipping a professional fit increases the likelihood of complications.
Your eye care professional will assess ocular health, measure fit, and provide handling and hygiene instruction tailored to the cosmetic lens chosen. Regular follow-up visits confirm that the lenses remain safe and comfortable for continued wear. Proper oversight and adherence to care guidelines make cosmetic lenses a safe option for many wearers.
You should seek immediate professional care for symptoms such as severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, significant redness, discharge, or light sensitivity while wearing lenses. These signs can indicate an infection or serious inflammatory condition that requires prompt evaluation and treatment to protect vision. Do not attempt to self-treat by continuing lens wear or using home remedies without consulting a clinician.
For less urgent issues like persistent mild irritation, intermittent blurred vision, or changes in comfort, schedule an evaluation so the fit and lens regimen can be reviewed and adjusted. Timely professional attention often prevents escalation and preserves long-term ocular health. If you are in the Glendale area, your local office can advise on same-day or urgent appointment options when needed.
Whether you are updating your glasses, scheduling an eye exam, or exploring contact lenses, Specs Appeal is here to help you see and feel your best.
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