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Medical Author:

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Dr. Weinstock is a board-certified ophthalmologist. He practices general ophthalmology in Canton, Ohio, with a special interest in contact lenses. He holds faculty positions of Professor of Ophthalmology at the Northeastern Ohio Colleges of Medicine and Affiliate Clinical Professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Next Steps

Follow-up

All contact-lens wearers should have an annual follow-up examination. People who wear extended-wear lenses are often seen every three to six months. Remember that extended wear of contact lenses not designed for extended wear increases the risk of a serious eye infection and is not recommended.

These examinations allow the fitter to review the care, wearing, and fit of the lenses. Problems or potential problems may be found at these examinations before they interfere with vision and before the wearer notices them.

• Fitting of contact lenses involves a complete eye examination with measurements of the cornea and selection of appropriate lenses.
  
  
• The fitting is not complete until follow-up evaluations confirm the correct fitting of the contact lenses.
  
  
• After this, in most states, the fitter must give the contact-lens prescription to the wearer whether or not he or she asks for it.
  
  
  • Some people order their lenses by mail order or through local stores. If this is done, it is essential to make sure that the lenses received are exactly the same (same brand, material, base curve, diameter and thickness) as the lenses that were fit and dispensed. Recognize that some people will have problems which they think might be solved by ordering new lenses, and the cause may actually be an infection or other serious problem. If lenses are ordered by mail, be sure to have your regular follow-up exams.
    
    
  • Although mail order is used because of an expectation of a lower price, you should check with your fitter. Your fitter will usually meet or beat the price of the mail-order companies.
    
    
  • If lenses are not purchased from the fitter, be sure to have follow-up examinations at the intervals recommended by the fitter.