Downtown Eye Care

Contact Lenses

Downtown Eye Care can fit contact lenses for the vast majority of patients, including people with active lifestyles and people who have astigmatism or presbyopia. Downtown Eye Care provides full-service contact lens care, including (1) a thorough eye examination, (2) an evaluation of whether your eyes should be able to wear contact lenses, (3) which type and brand of contact lenses are most appropriate, (4) the necessary lens care kits, (5) individual instructions for wearing and caring for your lenses, and (6) all necessary follow-up office visits.

Unless you have a current contact lens prescription, you must schedule an appointment with Downtown Eye Care for an eye exam and a Contact Lens Supplemental Exam. For more information about the Contact Lens Supplemental Exam, click here.

Dr. Joan L. Frank is a member of the American Optometric Association's special Contact Lens & Cornea Section. This special Section provides eye doctors with educational opportunities, professional advice, and clinical guidance to promote high-quality, professional patient care in all areas of contact lenses. Dr. Frank becomes closely and personally involved in various specialty contact lenses fittings, including for keratoconus.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Types of Contact Lenses

Lens Types	Advantages	Disadvantages
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses Available in daily wear or extended wear - can be worn up to seven days.	Excellent vision and corrects most vision problems, including astigmatism...Easy to care for and durable.	Longer adaptation period than soft lenses. Less suited for sports.
Daily disposable soft lenses Made of soft, flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through.	Very healthy...No lens care needed and has the comfort of new, fresh lenses every day...Great for active lifestyles.	Does not correct all vision problems.
NEW Extended-wear disposable lenses Silicone soft lenses worn for up to thirty days.	Wake up and see...Requires little or no cleaning...Great for active lifestyles.	Minimal risk of eye infection, if wearing instructions are followed.
Soft planned replacement lenses Lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, either every two weeks, monthly or quarterly.	Corrects most prescriptions and eye problems...Available in tints that can even change your eye color.	Requires simple cleaning and disinfection...Highest risk for eye infections.

Do's and Don'ts of Wearing Contact Lenses

Do:

Follow lens care and wearing instructions/schedules carefully.
Schedule timely follow-up fitting visits to Downtown Eye Care.
Wash hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.
Handle contact lenses over a clean towel, so that if your drop your lenses, they will stay clean and undamaged.
When you are wearing the contact lenses, air-dry the storage case.
Replace the contact lens storage case at least every three months.

Don't:

Use moisturizing soaps, which can leave a film on your hands that can be transferred to your contact lenses.
Put contact lenses in your mouth to moisten them with saliva, which is full of bacteria and a potential source of infection.
Use homemade saline solutions, which have been linked with a potentially blinding condition among soft lens wearers.

Be Aware of Potential Problems

It is generally not difficult to wear contact lenses. However, any time a foreign object or material is placed in the eye, there is some risk of problems. Following our advice at Downtown Eye Care and obtaining regular follow-up care from us will prevent most problems. Here are some signs that things may not be going well. If you experience any of these signs, contact Dr. Joan L. Frank at (317) 634-9909 as soon as possible.

Blurred or fuzzy vision, especially if sudden.
Red, irritated eyes.
Uncomfortable lenses.
Pain in and around the eyes.