Glasses and Contacts

As optometrists, we offer a variety of contact lenses and glasses choices to help correct patients’ vision. Depending on the prescription the patient needs, we will recommend the best option between glasses or contacts. While glasses were the only option in the past, we can now customize contact lenses and glasses to a patient’s prescription.

Since each patient is unique, each patient will need a different prescription to aid and correct their vision. In many cases, patients may need to update the prescription at least once a year. However, there may be patients who merely need a basic type of prescription lens to see more clearly. Fortunately, we have a variety of choices to do just that.

At NC Eye Associates, we utilize the latest technology available in eye care to determine your prescription. We will perform a wavefront guided refraction to calculate your exact prescription as well as a corneal topography to examine the shape of your cornea. In the exam room, we will make minor adjustments to the prescription to best suit your visual needs and comfort, as well as determine the best type of corrective lenses for you.

Contact Lenses

Not sure that glasses are for you? We fit a wide variety of contact lenses from single vision and multifocal soft lenses to complex scleral contact lenses for keratoconus and other corneal ectasias. Our doctors are committed to using the best technologies available, so rest assured, you’ll be fit in the right product for your lifestyle and needs.

One major factor people need to consider when looking into contact lenses is the level of comfort they can provide. No matter the type of contact lens, patients will need a few days to adjust to wearing them. However, contact lenses are not nearly as difficult for people to wear as some might choose to believe. The advancements in technology allow us to utilize more efficient contact lenses.

Gas permeable contact lenses, also known as GP contact lenses, consist of a firm plastic that allows oxygen to pass through. This prevents the eyes from becoming too dry on a regular basis. The care for most types of contact lenses is not very difficult and mainly involves placing them in a container overnight with a special cleaning solution.

During a consultation, we can go over all necessary steps for the proper care of contact lenses. We will also look at what the patient needs for stronger and clearer vision before prescribing a treatment. The patient can also choose between glasses or contact lenses. However, some patients may have a prescription that is not well-suited for contact lenses. Contact us today to speak with our knowledgeable staff about your contact lens questions.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Due to the size, people may have difficulty placing contact lenses over their eyes. In other cases, people may have vision issues that make them less favorable candidates for contact lenses. In those cases, scleral contact lenses are a viable and effective option. Scleral contact lenses are larger gas permeable contact lenses that cover the entire surface of the cornea.

Unlike smaller lenses that only cover a small portion of the cornea. The increased size of scleral lenses allows for greater stability on the eye. Scleral lenses are perfect for people who struggle with smaller contact lenses that dislodge and irritate the eyes. We recommend scleral lenses for patients who have more sensitive eyes or have corneas with an irregular shape.

Patients do not have to worry that scleral contact lenses will not offer enough room for air to pass through since they are gas permeable and keep the eyes comfortable. We can go over the details and determine if scleral lenses are the best choice for you during a consultation.

Prescription Glasses

While patients may choose to wear contacts over glasses for convenience, glasses are still an effective choice to aid or correct one’s vision. Patients who need glasses may be nearsighted or farsighted. Patients may also have issues with their vision’s focus or an increasing sensitivity to light. Glasses help the eye focus light onto the correct spot on the retina.

During an eye exam, we will determine what type of vision correction the patient needs and recommend the best choice. The patient can then view the available options and decide what he or she prefers.

Some patients may prefer contacts, while glasses may be the better option for specific prescriptions. With children, we recommend selecting glasses since contacts are much more difficult to place in and remove each day. Glasses are also less expensive than contact lenses and have durable frames that are difficult for a child to break.

Selecting the frame for you is a very personal experience and our staff is ready to assist you. At our on-site optical lab, our opticians will take extremely accurate measurements utilizing iTerminal technology so that you can enjoy the best vision possible while wearing your new glasses.

Selection of Frames and Lenses

We have a wide variety of frames and lenses to choose from that are manufactured by the best in the business, and can be tailored to suit anyone’s taste or need.

Some of the brands we carry include:

• Barton Perreira
• SALT.
• Modo
• Silhouette
• Kate Spade
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Gant
• Penguin
• Guess
• Flexon
• Nike
• Lightec
• Kaenon Sunglasses

Please call the location nearest you to inquire about the full list of brands at each location.

Schedule an appointment with the opticians at NC Eye Associates

Call our Zebulon, NC or Apex, NC eye care center for more information about getting fitted for glasses or contact lenses. You can also request to schedule an appointment online.