Overland & St.Charles, MO

Contact Lenses

St. Louis & St. Charles, MO

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer several advantages over wearing eyeglasses for vision correction. Unlike glasses, contact lenses won’t get fogged up, and are excellent for people who play sports and are physically active. Some people also prefer a more natural appearance over how they look in eyeglasses, so they prefer to wear contact lenses for vision correction.   

Some of our patients wear contacts part-time for social occasions and eyeglasses for work/home. At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we understand that different patients have different needs when it comes to vision correction. That’s why we offer a wide range of options to suit every lifestyle and prescription.

 

Types of lenses

vision correction

Types of contact lenses we offer

Soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are the most common type of contact lenses. They are made from a soft and flexible material that conforms to the shape of your eye, providing a comfortable fit throughout the day. 

Soft contact lenses come in daily, bi-weekly, and monthly varieties. Daily disposables are designed to be worn for a single day and discarded, eliminating the need for cleaning and storage. Bi-weekly and monthly contact lenses are convenient options for individuals who prefer a longer replacement schedule for their contact lenses. These lenses are designed to be worn for a specific period before being replaced with a fresh pair. 

Some soft contact lenses are designed for extended wear, allowing you to keep them in overnight and wear them continuously for an extended period. These lenses are made from advanced materials that promote oxygen flow to the eyes, ensuring comfort and eye health even during continuous wear. 

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses

These lenses are made from a rigid, breathable material that allows oxygen to pass through to the cornea. RGP contact lenses are known for providing exceptional visual clarity. The rigid nature of these lenses allows them to maintain their shape on the eye, resulting in precise vision correction. When properly cared for, they can last up to one year. 

RGP lenses are a great option for people with irregular corneas, such as patients with keratoconus or post-corneal surgery. The rigid design of these lenses helps to create a smooth, regular corneal surface, improving vision and offering a more comfortable fit. 

Specialty contact lenses

Not everyone can wear traditional contact lenses comfortably, which is why we offer a variety of specialty contact lenses for hard-to-fit patients.

Scleral contact lenses  

Scleral lenses are designed to vault over the entire cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye. This unique design ensures a comfortable fit and stable positioning on the eye, even for individuals with irregularly shaped corneas or conditions like keratoconus.  

Since scleral contact lenses rest on the sclera, which is a less sensitive part of the eye, they can also be more comfortable for people who have dry eye disease. The lenses create a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the cornea, providing constant hydration and comfort throughout the day. 

Bifocal and multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia

Bifocal and multifocal contact lenses are an excellent solution for individuals experiencing presbyopia. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on objects up close. It typically begins to develop in people over the age of 40 and gradually worsens over time. 

Similar to bifocal glasses, bifocal contact lenses have two different optical powers within a single lens. The top part of the lens is designed for distance vision, while the bottom part is specifically for near vision. This enables you to see clearly both up close and in the distance without the need for multiple pairs of glasses. 

Multifocal contact lenses have multiple prescriptions built into each lens, allowing patients with presbyopia to see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances. Unlike bifocal contact lenses, multifocal contact lenses blend the different prescriptions together, creating a seamless transition between distances. 

Toric contact lenses for astigmatism

Toric contact lenses are made to correct for astigmatism and are available in both soft and gas-permeable designs. These specialized lenses are designed to correct the irregular curvature of the cornea associated with astigmatism, providing clear and comfortable vision for our patients.

Monovision contact lenses for presbyopia

Another option for addressing presbyopia is monovision contact lenses. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distance vision, while the other eye is corrected for near vision. This allows for clear vision at both distances without the need for multifocal lenses.

Cosmetic contact lenses

Cosmetic contact lenses, also known as decorative or fashion contact lenses, are designed to temporarily change the appearance of your eyes. They can alter the color of your iris or create unique patterns and designs on your eyes, making them a popular choice for those looking to enhance their natural eye color or experiment with different looks.

While cosmetic lenses may not require vision correction, they are still classified as medical devices. That means, just like regular contact lenses, you’ll need a prescription and a fitting from a qualified optometrist to ensure a proper and comfortable fit.

Schedule a contact lens exam in St. Louis or St. Charles 

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we can help you find the best contact lens type for your eye health and vision needs. Our optometrists in St. Charles and St. Louis are experts at ensuring your contacts fit properly and provide you with clear, comfortable vision. Book an eye exam with us today and let us know you’re interested in a contact lens exam and fitting.