Contact Lenses in Rochester, NY
Also serving Victor area patients
Contact Lenses and Prescriptions in Rochester, NY
Optimize Your Vision with Contact Lenses
With an array of lens designs that correct a variety of visual problems, more and more patients are selecting contact lenses as their primary eyewear of choice and using eyeglasses only as a necessary backup. Today’s contact lenses include rigid gas permeable, soft, daily wear, or extended wear lenses. Contact lenses are now available in many colors and are even available in bifocal or multifocal prescriptions.
Prescribing Contact Lenses
Upon thorough review of the patient’s medical history and the completion of an eye examination, the doctor can determine if the patient is a prospective candidate for contact lens wear. If the results indicate the patient is a favorable candidate, the prescriber will review the lens design(s) most compatible with this patient’s visual correction, personal needs, and lifestyle. Once a lens design is selected, the prescriber will typically trial fit the patient with the selected lens type to ensure that the fit, comfort level and visual clarity are as expected. Once the prescriber and patient are happy with the fit, the prescription for the contact lenses can be written.
It is strongly recommended that every contact lens patient have their most current prescription in a pair of back-up eyeglasses.
Contact lens prescriptions and eyeglass prescriptions are not the same. A contact lens prescription must include the brand and model/design of the lenses prescribed, the parameters of the lenses prescribed (base curve and diameter), and the lens powers. Because the lens is placed directly on the eye, the power of the contact lens may be different than the power prescribed for eyeglasses.
As of February 2004, the Federal Trade Commission enacted the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Act, which requires the release of the contact lens prescription to the patient, enabling them to purchase lenses from the supplier of their choice. The Act requires the prescription to be valid for not less than one year from the date of issue. The Act also provides the prescriber the discretion to reduce the one-year expiration requirement if, in their professional judgment, the ocular health of the patient is at risk.
Contact Lens Follow-Up Visits
Once the patient starts wearing contact lenses and achieves their maximum wearing time, we will require the patient to return for one or two follow-up visits (the first being 10 to 14 days after the initial lenses are received.) The follow-up visits enable us to determine, if after wearing the lenses for a longer period of time, the fit and movement of the lens is satisfactory, and the patient is progressing as expected. If unforeseen problems occur, then we may modify the prescription.
Determining Contact Lens Fees
Contact Lens Fitting Fee
Our contact lens specialists will be happy to guide you through the numerous types, styles, materials and regimens of available contact lenses. This will ensure that you receive the best service and most appropriate lenses. A Contact Lens Fitting is a separate service that is not part of an eye examination, and therefore carries an additional charge, which is normally not covered by any commercial insurance. This fee can typically range from $85 to $125 depending on the type of contact lenses required. This charge is based on additional examination time needed to determine the base curve, diameter and power of the lens that will best fit each patients’ eyes. (This excludes keratoconus exams.)
Payment for Lenses
After the trial period has determined the most suitable and correct lenses for you, full payment must be received before lenses can be ordered. In some cases, additional savings can be obtained by ordering multi-packs of lenses. Please check with your provider to see if this option is available.
Contact Lens Renewal
Prescriptions issued by Cornerstone Eye Associates are valid for one year. If you require additional lenses or a different type after your prescription has expired, the provider may request that a check be done of your current prescription. This will involve a short exam and a charge of $45-$125 (not covered by insurance). If the prescription is more than 2 years old, the provider may request a full eye exam be completed before issuing any new lenses and/or a new prescription.
Contact Lens Tutorials
Click on the links below to watch tutorials on how to properly insert and remove a scleral or soft contact lens.
Our opticians are always happy to answer any questions you may have.