Keeping Your Contact Lenses Comfortable with a Proper Fit
Contact lenses offer a practical, convenient alternative to glasses, giving you clear vision whether you wear them every day or just during specific activities. The right pair should fit seamlessly into your routine while keeping your eyes comfortable throughout the day.
At Stonebridge Eyecare, we take a tailored approach to contact lens fittings, taking the time to match lenses to your specific eye shape, prescription, and daily habits. We also offer direct billing with many major insurance providers to streamline your visit.
Schedule your contact lens exam and fitting with our team today.
Why Do I Need a Contact Lens Exam?
For contacts to be comfortable and to work properly, they must be suited and properly fit to your eyes. Corneas (the clear, front part of your eye) come in different shapes and sizes, and every set of eyes has a distinct level of natural hydration.
Our optometrists employ several tests to determine your particular needs so we can make sure your contacts are working for you. Whether you are trying contact lenses for the first time or are interested in exploring different lens options, a contact lens exam is your first step.
What Happens in a Contact Lens Exam and Fitting?
The first step in your exam is making sure your eyes are healthy for contact lens wear. Whether you are trying contacts for the first time or you are updating your prescription, we will examine your eyes to make sure they are healthy and able to support contact lens wear.
Next, we will fit the lenses by taking precise measurements of the curvature of your eye. We use corneal topography to map the surface of your eye in detail. This technology is noninvasive, taking a scan of your eye without touching it.
Once we have determined the fit and decided on a contact lens style, we will fit you with a trial pair of lenses. We can show you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. You’ll take the trial lenses home, and we’ll follow up within a couple of weeks to make sure the lenses fit well before confirming your prescription and ordering additional lenses.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have during this process, and will keep you informed and involved with every level of decision-making.
Our Contact Lenses Options
Contact lenses come in many different shapes, prescription styles, and materials. The lenses that work for you will depend on your vision correction needs, any underlying conditions like keratoconus or dry eye, and how frequently you wear contact lenses versus glasses.
Most contact lenses come in either soft or rigid gas-permeable (RGP) styles. Soft contact lenses are usually more comfortable, with a shorter adjustment period, while RGP lenses provide crisper vision for higher prescriptions, are more durable for a longer lifespan, and require a little more adjustment. Within these styles, there are several specialty lens options available for specific vision needs.
These single-use lenses are different from daily wear lenses in one important way: you throw away these lenses every night. These are a great option for individuals who don’t want to clean lenses each night, or who wear contact lenses occasionally, but not every day.
The benefit of disposable lenses is the added comfort that comes with wearing new contacts every day. Daily disposable lenses offer the ultimate comfort for sufferers of dry eye and those prone to allergic conjunctivitis.
Toric lenses are the solution for patients with astigmatism. These lenses correct both vertical and horizontal refractions for clear vision. To prevent them from rotating, weights or thicker areas are added to keep them stable while blinking, which makes a proper contact lens fitting appointment imperative.
For those with myopia or hyperopia in combination with presbyopia, multifocal contact lenses are an incredible asset. Multifocal lenses include multiple prescription powers that correct vision at near, intermediate, and far distances. Multifocal lenses have made contacts a possibility for a wider range of individuals, particularly those over 40 and children, and are available in daily disposable, biweekly, and monthly.
Multifocal contact lenses can also be used in our myopia control program, helping to slow down the worsening of nearsightedness in children.
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are very effective, but not always comfortable. Hybrid contacts combine the power of RGP lenses with the comfort of soft lenses. The middle section is rigid, creating sharp focus and UV protection. The outside edge is soft for protection from debris and improved comfort. These lenses are designed for patients with keratoconus and ectasia.
The white portion of your eye is known as the sclera. Typical lenses sit on the cornea, while scleral lenses are larger, resting on the sclera and vaulting over the cornea without touching it. These lenses are good for patients with dry eye, keratoconus, or those who suffer from light sensitivity. They are also bigger, making them easier to handle and less likely to fall out.
Finding Your Perfect Fit at Stonebridge Eyecare
Finding the right fit for your contact lenses involves a thorough exam of your eye health, a discussion around your lifestyle and contact lens preferences, such as how often you plan to wear them, and a fitting and trial with your new lenses.
If you are interested in trying contact lenses for the first time or updating your contact lens prescription or style, book your appointment with us at Stonebridge Eyecare. We look forward to helping you find the perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses
Yes, the two prescriptions are different. A contact lens prescription includes specific lens curvature and diameter measurements because the lens rests directly on your eye.
You should never attempt to buy contact lenses using a glasses prescription or without professional guidance, as poorly fitted lenses can damage your eyes. Please book a dedicated contact lens exam at Stonebridge Eyecare to get an accurate fit.
Contact lenses are very safe for daily wear as long as you maintain diligent hand hygiene and strictly follow your optometrist’s wear and care instructions. Neglecting proper care routines or wearing unauthorized lenses can quickly lead to painful eye infections.
Yes, many modern contact lenses are crafted from advanced, high-moisture materials engineered specifically to keep dry eyes comfortable throughout the day. An optometrist can assess your tear film and recommend specialized lenses or hydrating drops that fit your specific comfort needs.
During a contact lens fitting, our optometrists evaluate your cornea’s shape, visual needs, and lifestyle to select the ideal lens material and replacement schedule for you. Whether you want to try contact lenses for the first time or need to update an existing prescription, schedule a contact lens exam with our team to find your perfect fit.
If you are interested in buying coloured contact lenses, you should discuss options with your optometrist. Even if you do not need a prescription, it is important to get a proper fit for lenses made from quality materials.
Cheap costume or novelty lenses bought online or from unlicensed retailers can cause severe eye infections, corneal scratches, and permanent damage. All contact lenses, even non-corrective coloured or Halloween lenses, are medical devices that require a valid prescription and a professional fitting from an eye care provider.
To avoid infections, always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes, clean your lenses properly, and strictly adhere to your optometrist’s replacement and wearing guidelines. You should avoid sleeping in your lenses, sharing lenses, or purchasing contacts without an official prescription.
Visit Our Location
We’re located in Stonebridge, on the corner of Cope Lane and Stonebridge Boulevard. Find us next to the Saskatoon Dermatology Centre and Stonebridge Dental Centre. Free parking is available.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 306-664-2638
- Fax: 306-653-5822
- Email: secadmin@yxevision.ca
After Hours Emergencies: 306-371-9911
Hours of Operation
A Look
Inside Stonebridge Eyecare
See What Our Patients Are Saying
