Contact Lenses at Total Family Eyecare’s Boca Raton Clinic

Your contact lenses often are the first thing you use in the morning and the last thing you take out at night. At Total Family Eyecare we go beyond clear vision and comfortable fit to make it easy to keep your contacts close at hand.

• Reorder your lenses anytime over the phone or by email
• Take advantage of direct delivery on most lens styles
• Experience our competitive prices
• Ask about current rebates or other special offers
• Find all the best brands, including Vistakon, CIBA, Bausch & Lomb and CooperVision

Selecting the Right Contacts for You

From daily wear to disposable lenses, Total Family Eyecare will take the time to explain the advantages of all options. Once you’ve made your selection, your contact lenses will be expertly fitted (see below) to make sure they are comfortable and perform properly. Make an appointment to see a doctor about finding the right contacts for you.

Getting Fitted For Contacts

Since contact lenses sit directly on your eyes, we must match your eyes’ unique features with the best contact lens shape and material. Your eyes will be carefully examined and measured for proper fit. A key factor is how your eyes react to the lenses during the first several weeks of wear.

• Typically, you will have 1-3 visits over 2 – 8 weeks.
• On your first visit, we will examine your eyes for their shape, tear quality, visual and corrective needs. If you are a good candidate for contact lenses, we will discuss contact lens options, then help you select a lens that best suites your eyes and your lifestyle.
• Inserting contact lenses is easy once you know how, but the first few times can be intimidating. Proper and thorough training is as important as the fitting process. We provide lots of instruction and encouragement, so you feel comfortable handling your new lenses.
• After you have worn your lenses for two weeks, we re-evaluate your eyes at the next visit. Sometimes the signs of incorrect lenses are subtle, such as changes in your eye shape. If problems occur with the first pair, we will change lenses. Many patients find the right lenses the first time; others try a couple different lenses before finding the best fit.
• Once you’re fitted with the right pair, we determine a follow-up schedule. After that, you usually maintain your eye health with an annual exam.

Common Questions About Contacts

Do people experience discomfort or pain when using contact lenses?

Most first time wearers are delighted with the level of comfort that contact lenses provide. The key is a good fit, which is established when you meet with Dr. Sheiner. After a brief adjustment period, most people report they can no longer feel contact lenses on their eyes.

Can I wear contacts when I participate in sports or work-out?

Yes. Athletes of all kind have discovered the advantages of wearing contacts. Contacts don’t steam up from perspiration, don’t smudge and don’t get foggy if you go from cold to warm temperatures. They provide better depth perception and complete peripheral vision. Today’s close-fitting contacts stay on your eyes, even during vigorous activity.

What about water sports?

You can swim in lakes, water ski and scuba dive with your contacts, but it’s often best to wear goggles. Disposable lenses are the best idea if you are a swimmer. Putting in a fresh pair after swimming will help preserve your eye health.

Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have an astigmatism?

Yes, you can wear a special type of soft contact called a toric lens that will correct your astigmatism. Even if you’ve been told previously you couldn’t wear contacts because of your astigmatism, that may no longer be true. Advances in technology allow even patients with high astigmatism to wear contacts today.

In order to read, I currently wear reading glasses over my contact lenses. Is there an alternative so I don’t have to wear glasses at all?

Yes, the most common option is called mono-vision where one eye is corrected for viewing distant objects and the other eye is corrected for reading and close work. Another alternative is multi-focal contact lenses, which work like your bifocal or progressive glasses, and are available in both soft disposable and rigid gas permeable designs.

If my two-week disposable lenses are still comfortable and in good condition beyond two weeks, can I continue to wear the same pair?

In order to maintain optimal eye health, it is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by Dr. Sheiner and recommended by the manufacturer. The main advantage of wearing disposable lenses is that you are putting a fresh new pair of lenses in your eyes every two weeks. While ‘no rub’ solutions are convenient, they are usually adequate for only a two-week wearing schedule.

Many years ago I tried wearing hard contact lenses and was not able to. My eyes watered severely, my nose ran and I found everything too bright, even indoors. Is it worth trying again?
Major advances have been made with contact lenses over the last several years. Now there may be a lens that will work for you.

Is it necessary to be refitted with each change in lens type or brand?

A most important – yes!

Can children wear contact lenses?

This is determined on a case by case basis, taking into consideration both age and maturity level. But in many cases, yes, if your youngster can learn to put a lens on and off then he/she can successfully be fitted. Single use lenses or CRT lenses work especially well.