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How do I
know if I can wear contact lenses?
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Is an
exam for contacts different than an exam for glasses?
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What should I
expect when being fitted for contacts?
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Soft contact
lenses
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Rigid contact lenses
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How do I get more
information?
Contact
Lenses are not for everybody, although millions of people wear them
successfully. The only true way to know if contacts will work for you is to try
them. Your prescription is the deciding factor for the type of contact lens that
will give you the best possible vision. Other factors include eye diseases,
allergies, eye dryness, work environment and some systemic diseases.
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Eighty
percent (80%) of people wearing contacts wear soft contact lenses. Soft contact
lenses are more comfortable initially than harder lenses such as gas permeable
contacts. Usually the choice is made because of how much astigmatism a person
has. Regular soft lenses work very well for someone with little or no
astigmatism. Gas permeable and soft toric contacts are better choices for a
person who has astigmatism. Gas permeable and regular soft contact lenses
compare well in price. A soft toric contact lens is a specialty soft lens that
corrects for astigmatism and is generally more expensive.
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Yes. It is
very important to let your doctor's office know at the time you schedule your
appointment that you are interested in contact lenses, especially if you have
never worn them before. Because contact lenses require extra measurements and
the placement of a trial contact lens on the eye, most offices have separate
appointments for a contact lens fitting. There is usually an extra charge for a
contact lens fitting and most insurance companies do not
cover the fitting fee although many insurance companies will cover a
portion of the cost of contact lenses. If you are currently wearing contact
lenses and are satisfied with them, a contact lens fitting may not be
necessary. If you are wearing contacts and want to switch to a different brand
you will probably need a contact lens fitting.
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Contact lens
fittings vary, but typically a trial pair of contact lenses are placed on your
eyes to determine which contact is best for you. The type of trial contacts
chosen depends on your prescription and your lifestyle. Another consideration
is how often you are planning on wearing the contact lenses. Usually a
technician or doctor's assistant will place the contacts on your eyes and have
you wait for a period of time. This allows the contact lens to adjust to your
eye and it lets the doctor know how your eyes are reacting to the contacts.
Sometimes it is beneficial to get additional information about how you react to
contact lenses by wearing the trial pair for a longer period of time. If so,
usually the contact lenses are placed on your eyes and you leave the office for
2-4 hours allowing you to try the contacts in your environment and giving you a
slightly better idea of how contacts will work for you. When you return to the
exam room the fit of the contact lenses is assessed. Feedback from you is also
crucial. How did the Trial Pair feel? How was your vision? It could take more
than one visit or trial pair to find the contacts that are right for you. Once
the right contact lenses are decided upon, you will need to be trained on how to
get the lenses in and out of your eyes. Sometimes contact lenses can be
dispensed from a supply of contacts and sometimes the lenses have to be ordered.
When your lenses arrive, a training session will be scheduled. Training
usually takes about 1 hour and also includes the proper way to take care of your
contacts.
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Contact Lenses are shaped pieces of transparent material,
which are place in the eye, usually with the aim to correct the refractive error
(long or short -sightedness) of an individual.
There are two main types of contact lens available
Soft Contact Lenses (also know as
hydrophilic)
These lenses, as their name suggests, have a floppy structure, a bit like a
piece of thick cling film. This is because they are made from an oxygen
permeable material, making them very comfortable to wear. They are larger in
size than their rigid contact lens counterparts and cover the whole of the iris
(the colored part of the eye), which the edges resting on the sclera (the white
of the eye). Their floppy structure allows them to fit the shape of the eye like
a glove and this makes them easy to get used to in the eye. They can be work on
a daily, bi-weekly/monthly or continuous wear basis. They are the most common
type of contact lenses and can also be used to change the apparent color of the
eyes (an effect often used in feature films and television).
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Rigid Contact Lenses
(also know as gas permeable or RGPs)
Rigid contact lenses have been available for a much longer period than soft
contact lenses, although many improvements have been made over this time in
allowing more oxygen to pass through the rigid material so the eye beneath the
lens can remain in good health. They are less than a centimeter across, covering
the pupil (the black part) of the eye, with the edges resting on the iris (the
colored part of the eye). They take longer to get used to initially due to their
rigid structure, but are better in correcting the refractive error of more
irregular shaped eyes. Despite a reduction in the number of rigid lenses being
fitted, some practitioners believe they provide a more healthy option for the
eyes for long-term full-time wear than soft contact lenses. They are worn during
the day only and being more durable than soft lenses last for approximately one
year. They take a little longer to get used to than soft lenses, but regular
wearers find them comfortable.
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There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic:
Hover note: Please place your mouse cursor over the red box
to click on the web and email links. For websites, a new browser
window will open. For emails, your default email program will
open. You may cut and paste the URLs or email addresses if you
prefer not to open new windows.
ONLINE ACCESS
WEBSITES.
http://www.EyeRepublic.com.ph - EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
http://www.OCP.com.ph - Ophthalmic
Consultants Philippines Co. -
http://www.LASIK.com.ph - Refractive
Surgery Resource
http://www.Cataract.com.ph - Cataract Surgery Resource
http://www.Eye.com.ph - Eye
Information Online
http://www.EyeDoc4Kids.com.ph - Eye Information for Kids
http://www.Retina.com.ph - Retina
Surgery Resource
http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma
Online
http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online
EMAIL. After writing down your comments,
suggestions, problems and/or questions, kindly tell us how
to get in touch with you by providing your name, email,
home/office numbers, and mobile phone.
General inquiries - help@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Refractive Surgery Service - refractive.surgery@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Glaucoma Service - glaucoma@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Cataract Service - cataract@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Doctors - eyemd@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Administrative - president@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Website - webmaster@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Newsletter -
newsletter@EyeRepublic.com.ph (receive
news and updates, discounts and promotions)
BLOG. Send us your comments.
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Atlas
CLINIC INFORMATION
Mobile E-Yellow Pages. Via
SMS, text LUK4 EYEREPUBLIC
(send to 2851 for Globe and Sun Cellular, and 2951 for Smart). |
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago Building Units 309-310
1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, 1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 536-2398
Trunk Line: (632) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Mobile: (63917) 899-2020
Map and directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Asian Hospital
and Medical Center
5/F Medical Office
Building (MOB) Suite 509
2205 Civic Drive,
Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City,
1781 Philippines
Direct:
(632) 771-9253
Direct and Fax:
(632) 771-9254
Mobile: (63917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F Medical Arts Tower Inc (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue
Pasig City, 1604, Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 632-7846
Mobile: (63917) 537-2020
Map and directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
St. Luke's
Medical Center
6/F
Cathedral Heights Building Complex (CHBC)
North Tower Suite 614
279 E. Rodriguez
Sr. Boulevard
Quezon City, 1102
Philippines
Direct and Fax:
(632) 407-3883
Mobile: (63917) 855-2020
Map and directions
|
CLINIC HOURS
First-Come, First-Served
Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
All clinics are closed on Sundays and Holidays
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CONTACT LENS information compiled by
Dr. Manolette R.
Roque and initially uploaded on May 1, 2005.
Last updated on
September 20, 2007.
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