Contact Lenses

Atkinson Family Eye Care: John Atkinson, O.D., PLLC

Optometry located in Kannapolis, NC

If you find that wearing glasses is distracting and you prefer the way you look without them, you’re not alone. When it comes to correcting vision, many people choose contact lenses. The expert team at Atkinson Family Eye Care in Kannapolis, North Carolina, can help you find the most comfortable pair of corrective lenses. They’ll also make sure you have everything you need to take care of your contacts, so you don’t have to worry about infection or irritation. Call or email the office or schedule a consultation online to learn more.

Contact Lenses Q & A

Who can wear contact lenses?

Almost anyone can wear contacts! It’s just a matter of finding the right lens for your eyes. There are many types of lenses on the market designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and many other conditions. Children and teens can wear contacts, too, if they are responsible enough to care for them properly.

There are a few conditions that do prevent people from wearing contacts, such as very dry eyes, a damaged cornea or extremely high astigmatism.

How are contact lenses prescribed?

To prescribe contact lenses, Dr. Atkinson will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the level of vision correction you need. You and the doctor will then discuss lens options, and you’ll receive a set of contacts to wear for a trial period, usually 1-2 weeks.

When you return for your checkup after your trial period, Dr. Atkinson will examine your eyes while you are wearing your contacts. He will test your vision and check that the lenses sit correctly on the surface of your eyes.

If Dr. Atkinson finds that your prescription or lens fit needs adjusting, you’ll receive another set of trial contacts. If everything looks good, the helpful staff will order your full set of contact lenses.

What types of contacts are available?

There are two main types of contacts: hard and soft. Hard contact lenses are less common these days, but rigid gas permeable lenses are frequently used for certain eye conditions that affect the cornea, like keratoconus.

Soft contacts are easy to care for and very comfortable. There are many options with soft contacts, for example:

  • One-day disposable contacts
  • Extended wear lenses
  • Toric lenses for astigmatism

Contact lens manufacturers design multiple lenses to accommodate a spectrum of vision correction needs and eye conditions, such as dry eyes or a misshapen cornea. Contacts can even change the color of your eyes, whether you need vision correction or not.

Some of the contact lens brands that Atkinson Family Eye Care carries include:

  • Acuvue Oasys
  • Alpine
  • Air Optix
  • FreshLookⓇ color contacts
  • Bausch & Lomb ULTRAⓇ contacts

The friendly team at Atkinson Family Eye Care will take the time to discuss your options and answer questions so you can select the right set of lenses for your trial.

Atkinson Family Eye Care accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans. For more information, call or email the office, or make an appointment online.