The Truth About Contact Lenses

Our practice is specifically designed, equipped, and staffed to provide the contact lens patient with the finest in professional care. The doctors at Barenburg Eye Associates have successfully treated thousands of patients with state of the art contact lenses, including many who were previously told they could not wear contact lenses.

Times Have Changed

For the 30 million Americans who wear contact lenses, enjoying freedom from wearing glasses and often improved visual acuity is now a reality.

Contact lenses are not what they used to be… even two years ago. Technological advances have greatly improved contact lenses and lens care products– revolutionizing vision correction.

Contact lenses can now treat a variety of conditions for which you may have previously been told that contacts would not work.

We can now treat those with astigmatism, replace bifocal glasses, and even change or enhance your eye color. Disposable lenses have eliminated cleaning and everyday handling. Daily wear and flexible-wear lenses are safer and more comfortable than ever.

With traditional “hard lenses” almost extinct, today’s lenses are made from materials that allow oxygen to pass freely to the eye, allowing it to breathe– whether you wear soft contacts or rigid oxygen permeable.

If you have ever thought about contacts, were told you couldn’t wear them… or stopped wearing them for some reason… reconsider contacts– they’re not what they used to be!

Vision Conditions Now Treated With Contacts

For children and adults, most vision conditions can now be treated with contact lenses– even those which could not be treated successfully even a few years ago.

Some of the most common conditions we can now treat with contacts include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (loss of up-close focusing).

At Barenburg Eye Associates, we inventory more than thousands of different lenses in order to best fit each individual patient, and to accommodate any emergency needs our patients may have, such as losing or tearing a lens. Our inventory of lenses includes the following:

Soft, Astigmatic Soft, Gas Permeable, Bifocal Soft, Tinted Lenses, Extended Wear, Cataract Lenses, Keratoconic, Lenses for Eye Traumas, New Fluorocarbon, and Disposable Silicone.

Contact Lenses for Your Lifestyle

As baby boomers continue to age, more than 100 million Americans are affected by presbyopia (the inability to focus up-close).

With the modern contact lens technology available today, you no longer have only reading glasses or bifocal glasses as options for correcting your vision.

Bifocal Lens Alternatives– Alternating/Translating Vision Bifocals– Simultaneous Vision Bifocals, Diffractive Vision Bifocals, Omnivision, Aspheric Soft Contacts.

Contact lenses available for the presbyopic patient come in a variety of “patterns”, combining lens areas for near and distance vision. Some lenses feature a bulls-eye configuration, with the distance-vision portion in the middle of the lens; others have the distance on the lower half; and others wear one lens for distance and one for near– a prescription called omnivision, which Ronald Reagan wore. Ask your doctor at Barenburg Eye Associates about the best lenses for you.

Sports

Being active and participating in sports is often inconvenient, or even impractical, when wearing glasses.

Glasses get in the way; they fall off; they fog up… or they get broken.
Contact lenses have come to the rescue of many Americans– ranging from professional athletes to little leaguers. Contacts can be worn with safety glasses when appropriate. They are great for water sports.

Children

While there are numerous benefits to fitting children with contacts– particularly the fact that they are less inclined to remove their lenses as they are to take their glasses off during the school day.

Nonetheless, there are many other factors to consider when a child expresses interest in wearing contact lenses. Is the child motivated enough to accept responsibility for the lenses? Is the child’s hygiene indicative of properly maintaining the lenses to avoid contamination?

Spend some time with your child and Barenburg Eye Associates to discuss the pros and cons of contacts in your family.

What You Should Know – The Contact Lens Examination

A contact lens examination is a bit different than an examination for eye glasses. The doctors at Barenburg Eye Associates first need to determine if you can wear contact lenses, and then which type would best correct your visual problem.

A contact lens examination is quite extensive. The doctor will need to ask you some specific questions about your lifestyle, any medications or any allergies you may have. He will also measure the curve of your cornea, the size and shape of your pupil, eyelid tension, your ability to produce tears naturally, and overall eye health– all to prescribe the vision correction that is best for you.

What You Should I Consider?

There are many reasons people choose to wear contact lenses– most often it’s for improved looks. But, convenience is also a major consideration– particularly if you have an active lifestyle and participate in sports.

While the doctors at Barenburg Eye Associates will make contact lens recommendations based on your examination results, here are factors for you to consider when talking with the doctor about contacts:

What you Need… When You Need It

Our extensive inventory enables us to fit the majority of contact lens patients in the office, allowing you to wear your lenses home the same day. This is particularly convenient when a replacement lens is needed (and we can overnight express them to you if you’re out of town).

And, as part of our commitment to providing complete optometric care, we also have a wide selection of eyeglass frames for your convenience– understanding that no matter how much you will enjoy wearing your new contact lenses, you will still need glasses.

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