Getting Contact Lenses:  The Necessity of a Prescription

If you are interested in buying and wearing contact lenses, it is necessary that you obtain a prescription.  Through this article you will be provided with some basic information as to why a prescription is necessary.

Of course, if you do have any additional questions about obtaining a prescription for contact lenses after reading and reviewing this article, you should consult with an eye care professional.

Why You Need a Prescription

A prescription is necessary in order to ensure that you get the correct contact lenses for your vision needs.  Indeed, it is a legal requirement before you can obtain therapeutic contact lenses.

There is one exception to the rule that you need a prescription:  You do not need a prescription for contact lenses that are going to be used only for cosmetic purposes.  You do not need a prescription for contact lenses designed to change the color of a person’s eyes.

However, even with that noted, even with the understanding that you do not need a prescription for contact lenses if the lenses are being used and are designed only for changing the color of a person’s eyes, you should still see an eye doctor.  Even when the contacts are not being used to correct a person’s vision, it would serve you well to visit with a doctor before you actually set off and obtain contacts designed to change the color of your eyes, your appearance.

The Eye Exam

As part of the process of obtaining contact lenses, you will be required to undergo an eye exam.  In point of fact, many people are very apprehensive about the prospect of an eye examination.

In reality, an eye exam is a pretty easy and essentially painless procedure.  There can be some discomfort during the eye examination when a patient has to get his or her pupils dilated. 

The eye exam itself is not a very long process for most patients.  Once you get your way through the waiting room, you really should be able to get through the exam process itself in very short speed.

During the exam process, you will be able to obtain a prescription both for contact lenses and eyeglasses.  Most patients do decide to get both types of prescriptions while they are at their eye doctor’s office getting an eye examination.

Your Options

During the eye exam, your eye doctor will work with you to determine what type of contact lenses will be right for you.  One of the considerations that your eye doctor will discuss with you is the type of material the contact lenses will be made out of:  soft, RGP or hard contact lenses.

In addition to the type of material that your contact lenses can be made out of your eye doctor will also visit with you about whether you would like daily wear or extended wear contact lenses.

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