Do you need two eye exams for contacts and glasses?

If you decide that you want to wear contact lenses, even if you only want to wear them some of the time and also uses glasses, you will need a contact lens exam in addition to your usual comprehensive eye exam.

Do I need a separate prescription for glasses and contacts?

The answer is no. While they both have the same objective — to correct what eye doctors call “refractive errors” that prevent you from seeing correctly — prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses are distinctly different.

Can you use the same prescription for glasses and contacts?

Can I use my glasses prescription for contacts? Contact lens and glasses prescriptions are not the same. A contact lens must match the size and shape of your eye. Therefore, a prescription for contact lenses contains information like base curve and diameter, as well as brand.

Why is my vision different between my contacts and glasses?

For patients who wear glasses or contact lenses, they sometimes notice that their vision is different between the two modalities. This is especially true for people with higher prescription numbers. The reason for this difference is that when someone wears glasses, image size is being introduced into the equation.

How often do you need an eye exam for contacts?

If you wear contacts, you need to see your eye doctor annually for an exam. Since contact lenses cover a portion of the eye they reduce the amount of oxygen getting to the cornea. Over time, this can impact the health of the eye and cause damage.

Are glasses stronger than contacts?

Originally Answered: Why does my contact lens prescription have higher power than my eyeglasses? As pointed=out by others, due to the greater distance that glasses sit off the eye, they usually need more minus to compensate, so contacts are weaker than glasses for myopia, stronger for hyperopia.

Why do contacts get blurry?

Other common causes for blurry contact lenses include: The lens has become dry and needs moisturizing. The contact has rotated or moved around the eye and is not sitting in the right position. This happens more often to people who have astigmatism.

Should contact lenses be weaker than glasses?

In general, the prescriptive power of a contact lens will be somewhat less nearsighted than eyeglasses. So in most simple words, the power of a contact lens will be lower than the eyeglass prescription. Reason being the distance of the lenses from the surface of the eyes.

Can you switch back and forth between contacts and glasses?

You can absolutely own both glasses and contacts, and switch between them as you see fit based on your work, comfort or lifestyle needs on a given day.

Is switching between contacts and glasses bad?

Contacts can now correct most vision problems such as presbyopia and astigmatism, for which only glasses were prescribed just a few years ago. Alternating between contact lenses and glasses is a good habit to pick up, as both options have their advantages.

Is an eyeglass prescription the same as a contact lens exam?

An eyeglass prescription is no substitute for a contact lens exam because the two are very different. An eyeglass prescription measures for lenses that are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes; whereas a contact lens prescription measures for lenses that sit directly on the surface the eye.

Do I need an eye exam if I have contact lenses?

If you plan to wear contact lenses, you’ll need a separate eye exam because contact lenses are classified as medical devices. The good news is a contact lens exam can usually be performed at the same time as your comprehensive eye exam.

Why do I need a separate eye exam for vision correction?

If you require vision correction, the doctor will then provide a prescription so you can order corrective lenses. Why do I need a separate exam for contact lenses? If you plan to wear contact lenses, you’ll need a separate eye exam because contact lenses are classified as medical devices.

Why is a contact lens exam so expensive?

Why is a contact lens exam more expensive? Additional testing is required for contact lenses because they are classified as medical devices. The optometrist will need to evaluate the size and shape of your eye, as well as other factors like your tear production levels. What do I get with a contact lens exam?