Contact Lenses 101: Types, Fittings, and Caring for Healthy Eyes

Understanding the Basics of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer an excellent alternative to glasses, giving freedom, convenience and a clear field of vision. Whether you’re a first-time wearer or returning to contacts after some time away, it’s important to understand your options, the fitting process, and how to care for healthy eyes. At Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna and Whitehall, our eye care team is ready to help you find the right fit for your lifestyle.

Types of Contact Lenses

Daily vs Monthly Contacts – One of the first decisions: are you better off with daily disposables or reusable lenses (weekly/bi-weekly/monthly)? Daily lenses are worn once and discarded, which means less cleaning and fewer deposits—great for convenience and hygiene. Monthly or bi-weekly lenses cost less per lens but require disciplined care and cleaning.

Soft vs Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) – Soft lenses are most common and comfortable for many wearers. RGP (rigid) lenses offer high clarity and durability, and are especially useful for unique eye shapes or specialty prescriptions.

Specialty Fits – If you have astigmatism (an irregular-shaped cornea), you’ll likely need a toric lens that corrects for the cylindrical error. If you’re over 40 and experiencing presbyopia (trouble reading small print), multifocal or bifocal contact lenses may be the answer. Even “hard to fit” cases such as dry-eyes or keratoconus may be accommodated with more advanced lens designs.

The Contact Lens Fitting Process

Getting fitted for contact lenses at a trusted practice begins with a comprehensive eye exam. The exam doesn’t just measure your prescription, but also assesses the health of your eyes (tear film, corneal shape, any underlying conditions) to determine suitability for contacts.

Measurements your doctor takes may include:

• Corneal curvature (keratometry) to match the lens curve to your eye.
• Pupil or iris size, especially for specialty lenses.
• Tear film evaluation (how well your eye stays moist); dry eyes can interfere with lens comfort.

Once those are done, you’ll try on a sample lens to evaluate comfort, vision, movement on the eye, and wear time. After a successful trial, you’ll receive your formal prescription and lens order. A follow-up visit ensures the fit is working well.

Caring for Healthy Eyes While Wearing Contacts

The lens is a medical device and requires proper care. Some essential tips:

• Always wash and dry your hands before inserting or removing lenses.
• Clean, rinse and store reusable lenses using the recommended solution and replace your contact lens case every few months.
• Never “top off” old solution with new—fresh solution every time is safest.
• Avoid wearing lenses while swimming, showering or in hot tubs, unless you have specialized lenses and protective eyewear.
• Follow the wearing schedule your doctor prescribes—don’t wear monthly lenses for longer than intended.
• Remove your lenses and have your eyes checked immediately if you notice redness, pain, blurriness or sensitivity to light.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming “one size fits all”: a poor fit can lead to discomfort, blurred vision or even corneal damage.
• Neglecting lens hygiene: skipping cleaning steps or over-reusing lenses significantly increases the risk of infection.
• Ignoring dry eye symptoms: even mild dryness can compromise contact wear comfort—your doctor can offer alternatives.
• Borrowing or sharing lenses, or ordering non-prescription lenses online: contact lenses must be properly fitted with the right prescription and care instructions.
• Sleeping in lenses meant for daily wear: this raises oxygen deprivation risk to your cornea and can cause complications.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re curious about trying contact lenses—or if you’ve worn them but your current pair doesn’t feel right—schedule a contact lens evaluation or fitting with us at Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna and Whitehall. Whether you’re interested in daily vs monthly contacts, a specialty fit for astigmatism or presbyopia, or simply want to refresh your lens routine, our team can guide you to comfort and clear vision.