Vision Correction

Am I a Candidate for Contact Lenses?

Did you know that only about 1 in 4 Americans has perfect vision? That means about 75% of people need corrective lenses like eyeglasses or contacts.

Glasses have been around for centuries, and they’re a common, effective solution for people of all ages. But if you’re tired of glasses that fog up, slip down your nose, or get in the way, you might be considering making the switch to contact lenses.

Contacts sit on the surface of your eye. They’re essentially invisible, and they have the power to correct many common vision problems. 

If you’re looking for a San Luis Obispo county optometrist for contacts, our team at Pacific Eye specializes in fitting contact lenses. Now’s the time to find out if you could be a candidate.

Contact lenses for common vision issues

Contacts are made of thin, water-absorbing plastic. They’re specially developed to change the way light enters your eye, correcting refractive errors that make your vision blurry.

Contacts may be a good option for you if you have vision problems like:

If you have hyperopia, objects close to you appear blurry, but you can see things at a distance. Myopia is the opposite: Distant objects are blurry, but you can see close-up. Presbyopia is age-related degeneration that makes your close-up vision get blurry as you get older.

Along with correcting the refractive errors, contact lenses can also address corneal irregularities — like astigmatism — that impact the quality of your vision.

When contact lenses aren’t recommended

These days, contacts can improve a range of common vision issues. There are many different types of lenses available, but contacts may not be a good option for every person.

Certain eye conditions may make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. Our eye doctors may recommend against wearing contacts if you have:

  • Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
  • Chronic dry eye
  • Complex eye prescriptions
  • Severe allergies

If you have one of these conditions, it doesn’t mean you absolutely can’t wear contacts. It does mean that you may have to try a few different types or brands.

How to get contact lenses

Contact lenses are a convenient option for many people. If you’re curious about trying contacts, schedule an appointment at Pacific Eye. Our team offers comprehensive eye exams to determine if you’re a good candidate.

After we examine your eyes and write your eye prescription, we can recommend contact lenses to fit your eyes and lifestyle habits. There’s a wide variety of lenses available, including breathable lenses, multifocal lenses, and lenses that can be worn continuously for up to 30 days at a time.

Trial lenses are available, so you can wear them in daily life and decide if you like them before buying more. We typically schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure your contacts are comfortable and working as well as they should be.

Are you ready to ditch your eyeglasses? Schedule a contact lens consultation at Pacific Eye. Contact one of our 7 office locations over the phone or request your first appointment online now.