Personalized Contact Lens Fitting at Focus Optical, Texas
Contact lenses offer a remarkable sense of freedom from glasses, providing clear vision for everything from sports to special occasions. However, achieving comfortable and safe contact lens wear requires more than just knowing your eyeglass prescription. A contact lens is a medical device that sits directly on your eye, which is why a professional fitting is essential.
At Focus Optical, our optometrists in The Woodlands and Spring, Texas, specialize in providing meticulous, personalized contact lens fittings to ensure your lenses are healthy for your eyes, comfortable to wear, and deliver exceptional vision.
Importance of Proper Contact Lens Fitting
Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprints. The size, shape, and curvature of your cornea—the clear front surface of your eye—are specific to you. A contact lens fitting is a specialized examination designed to measure these unique characteristics and match you with a lens that fits perfectly.
An improper fit can lead to a range of problems, from minor irritation to serious eye health complications.
- Discomfort and Blurry Vision: A lens that is too loose will move excessively with each blink, causing unstable, blurry vision and a constant feeling of having something in your eye. A lens that is too tight can restrict the natural flow of tears and oxygen, leading to redness, dryness, and significant discomfort.
- Oxygen Deprivation: Your cornea needs a steady supply of oxygen directly from the air to stay healthy. A poorly fitted lens can act as a barrier, limiting this vital flow. Over time, this can cause the cornea to swell or lead to the growth of new, unwanted blood vessels into the cornea (corneal neovascularization) as it struggles to get oxygen.
- Increased Risk of Infection: A lens that fits improperly can cause microscopic scratches on the surface of your cornea, known as corneal abrasions. These tiny injuries can create an entry point for bacteria, increasing your risk of developing a painful and potentially sight-threatening eye infection.
A professional fitting at Focus Optical ensures that your lenses are not only the correct power but also the correct size and material for your individual eyes, safeguarding your vision and health.
Steps of a Professional Contact Lens Fitting
A contact lens fitting involves several important steps beyond a standard eye exam to ensure you're a suitable candidate and to find the best lenses for your needs.
- Eye Health Evaluation: Your optometrist will assess your eye health, checking for conditions like severe dry eye or allergies that could affect lens wear.
- Corneal Measurements: We measure the curvature of your cornea using a keratometer for a proper lens fit, and possibly a corneal topographer for detailed mapping.
- Pupil and Iris Measurement: We measure your pupils and iris size to select a comfortable lens diameter that also looks good.
- Trial Lens Fitting: You'll try on a diagnostic lens. The doctor will examine its fit and your vision using a biomicroscope.
- Patient Training: We provide training for first-time wearers on how to insert, remove, and care for their lenses, ensuring confidence before you leave.
- Follow-Up Examination: After wearing the trial lenses for one to two weeks, you'll return for a follow-up to assess fit, comfort, and vision, finalizing your prescription if all is well.
Benefits of a Customized Contact Lens Fitting
Investing in a professional, customized fitting for your contact lenses offers numerous benefits for your vision and long-term eye health.
- Optimal Comfort: Lenses designed specifically for the shape of your eyes and the chemistry of your tear film will feel more natural, allowing you to wear them comfortably for extended periods.
- Sharper, More Stable Vision: A properly fitted lens remains centered on your cornea, ensuring clear and consistent vision. This is crucial for individuals with astigmatism who need toric lenses, as these lenses must stay in a specific orientation to function correctly.
- Access to the Latest Technology: The contact lens industry is continually advancing. A fitting at Focus Optical provides you with access to the latest lens materials and designs. This includes lenses with improved oxygen permeability for better eye health, advanced moisture technology for dry eyes, and multifocal designs that correct both distance and near vision.
Who Can Benefit from a Contact Lens Fitting Evaluation
A professional fitting is a necessity for anyone who wants to wear contact lenses, whether they are a complete beginner or a seasoned wearer.
- First-Time Wearers: Learning the fundamentals of lens wear in a safe, medically supervised environment is essential.
- Existing Wearers with Discomfort: If your current lenses cause dryness, redness, or blurry vision, a new fitting can often solve the problem by switching you to a different lens material or design.
- Patients with Astigmatism or Presbyopia: These conditions require specialty lenses (toric for astigmatism, multifocal for presbyopia) that demand a precise fitting to function correctly.
- Individuals with "Hard-to-Fit" Eyes: Conditions like keratoconus (an irregularly shaped cornea) or severe dry eye require highly specialized lenses and the expertise of an experienced fitter.
Your eyes and your prescription can change over time, so even if you have worn lenses for years, regular fittings are vital to ensure your continued comfort and safety.
Meet Our Dedicated Optometrists
Dr. Thy Pham Nguyen, OD
A graduate of The New England College of Optometry, Dr. Nguyen specializes in contact lenses, dry eye treatment, and co-management of LASIK and cataract surgery. She has a passion for helping patients with hard-to-fit cases, including keratoconus.
Dr. Hanh Dinh, OD
Dr. Dinh graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University and completed a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision. Her background as an ophthalmic technician gives her a comprehensive understanding of eye care.
Dr. Ashley Nguyen, OD, MS
With a Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science from the University of Houston, Dr. Ashley Nguyen manages a wide range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, diabetes, and myopia. She is highly skilled in fitting specialty contact lenses.
Dr. Jacquelin Escoto, OD
Dr. Escoto also earned her optometry degree from the University of Houston. She provides comprehensive eye care, manages ocular diseases, and is an active community volunteer, serving patients in The Woodlands and Spring areas.
Payment and Insurance
To make your visit as smooth as possible, we accept several forms of payment, including cash, major credit cards, and CareCredit.
Focus Optical is in-network with a wide variety of insurance providers:
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
- EyeMed
- VSP
- UnitedHealthcare
If your insurance provider is not on this list, or if you have any questions about your specific coverage and benefits, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Our knowledgeable team is here to help you navigate your plan and maximize your benefits.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Ready to experience the freedom of contact lenses? Contact Focus Optical to schedule your professional contact lens fitting.
The Woodlands Office:
1925 Hughes Landing Blvd #600
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Phone: (832) 225-1150
Springwoods Office:
1700 City Plaza Dr #140
Spring, TX 77389
Phone: (832) 648-4335