When to Seek Medical Care

If you have a question about your contact lenses, you should contact your fitter.

If you experience redness, blurred vision, pain, or light sensitivity, you should contact your ophthalmologist or optometrist. ( If he or she is not allowed by state law to treat eye problems, he or she will refer you to a practitioner who can handle these problems.) Normally, you will need to be seen that day. If you need to seek help, it is best to try to contact your eye doctor during the day, rather than waiting until evening or late at night.

• Most ophthalmologists are available 24 hours a day via their answering service. If your ophthalmologist is not available, you should be seen by the ophthalmologist on call, or go to a hospital's emergency room.
  
  
• Optometrists and opticians may or may not provide 24-hour availability. If not available, you should ask about the routine if a problem develops, especially after regular office or store hours. Many have an ophthalmologist to whom they refer medical problems; others may tell you to go to a hospital's emergency department. Recognize that emergency departments usually do not have an ophthalmologist on site.
  
  
• Because of the specialized nature of eye examination equipment, contact-lens problems are best handled in the ophthalmologist's office.