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Visiting With Your Optometrist Right Away


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Visiting With Your Optometrist Right Away

I have never been much of a worrier, but when I started experiencing light flashes and floaters in my vision, I knew that something had to be wrong. I was dealing with sudden and unexplained eye pain, and I was concerned about what it might mean for my vision. Instead of ignoring the issue, I headed straight to the eye doctor's office to get the help that I needed. They carefully evaluated the issue, and my doctor told me that I had detached retinas. This blog is all about saving your vision through quick and efficient actions and knowing how to get the help that you need.

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Three Reasons Why Ordering Your Contacts By Mail Isn't For Everyone

You have probably seen the advertisements for ordering contacts by mail. You may even have researched contacts via online superstores that ship everything from nuts healthcare equipment. However, ordering your contacts by mail or online is not for everyone. Here are three reasons why it may not be right for you.

Only Specific Sizes and Powers of Lenses Are Available

In most cases, if you want to order contacts from a big box store, club store, etc., these stores only offer specific sizes and corrective powers. Typically the most common sizes and corrective powers are the ones offered, and if your eyes are not as big, small, weak or strong, these lenses will not fit comfortably or you will not be able to see as well. If you already have prescription lenses, check the box or the individual lense trays to see what prescription strenghth, base curvature and diameter you need. If you are very lucky, your prescription will match the lenses most commonly sold and shipped by big box stores and online-only retailers. If not, you will need to visit your optometrist.

You May Order a Brand or Type of Lens That Is Not Recommended for You

Contact lenses can be soft, hard, toric, short-term wear, long-term wear, safe to wear while sleeping, etc. Only your optometrist knows what is best for your eyes. When you order your lenses online or through the mail, you may end up ordering a brand or type of lens that is not recommended for your eyes. For example, some people may want to try wearing a long-term hard lens, but their optometrist has already established that this type of lens may not be healthy for this patient's eyes. Going against what your optometrist recommends, even when you have a valid prescription for lenses, puts your eyes in jeopardy. If you are able to order and purchase your lenses this way, always make sure they are the same brand and type that your eye doctor recommends or has previously prescribed for you.

You Have a Very Unique Vision Situation

Astigmatism usually affects both eyes in a patient that has it, which is why an eye doctor would prescribe special contacts just for astigmatism. While you can certainly purchase and order lenses for astigmatism, you typically cannot order astigmatism lenses for just one eye. If you have astigmatism in just one eye, or you have some other unusual or unique vision care need, purchasing your lenses through an e-tailer or big box store's website is not going to work for you. You will have to get your lenses through your optometrist (like those at Sheinkopf And Tomasik Eye Associate).