Contact Lenses in Calgary – Everything You Need to Know
Considering contact lenses in Calgary and the surrounding area? At Mountain View Optometry, we specialize in providing personalized solutions to meet your vision needs. Whether you’re looking for daily wear lenses, specialty contacts, or expert eye care advice, this guide has you covered. Learn more about the types of lenses available, how to care for them, and why Mountain View Optometry is the go-to destination for contact lenses in Calgary.
Calgary is a unique environment with much lower humidity levels than average. These dry conditions pose challenges for contact lens wearers. We have optometrists with a special interest in both dry eye disease and contact lens fitting. Read on for more information.
Contact Lens Brands
We provide a premium range of contact lens brands from the most trusted names in the industry. From everyday use to specialized needs, our selection guarantees you’ll find the perfect lenses for ultimate comfort and vision clarity.
Comprehensive Contact Lens Services We Offer
Contact Lens Instruction
- Understand proper hygiene and care practices.
- Master insertion, removal, and daily maintenance skills.
- Receive personalized guidance on lens handling and lens care routines.
- Ideal for first-time wearers and those seeking to refresh their knowledge.
Professional Contact Lens Fitting
- Detailed eye measurement and assessment using advanced diagnostic equipment.
- Customized lens recommendation based on:
-Corneal curvature
-Pupil and iris dimensions
-Eye health issues including dry eye disease
-Prescription requirements
-Your lifestyle and unique needs
- Options include disposable lenses for daily, bi-weekly, or monthly replacement, and continuous-wear specialty (“overnight wear”) lenses.
- Comfort and vision optimization guaranteed.
How Poor Contact Lens Fit Can Damage Your Eye Health
Ill-fitting contact lenses can lead to a cascade of uncomfortable and potentially harmful eye conditions. When your contacts, are not properly fit, you may experience:
Immediate Comfort Issues
- Persistent Discomfort: A constant awareness of your contact lenses can render daily usage uncomfortable.
- Chronic Eye Irritation: Mild forms of dry eye disease may be worsened by improperly-fit contact lenses.
- Burning or Stinging Sensation: Typically worsens throughout the day and is also an indicator of dry eye disease.
Visual and Physiological Impacts
- Reduced Visual Clarity
- Excessive Eye Redness: A sign of ongoing inflammation and stress.
- Abnormal Tear Production:
Dry eyes from inadequate lubrication.
Excessive watering due to tear film imbalance.
Potential Long-Term Risks
- Corneal Abrasions: Painful surface scratches that can lead to serious eye infections.
- Increased Infection Risk: Poorly fitted lenses create opportunities for harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungal infections which may lead to permanent vision loss.
- Potential Corneal Scarring: Persistently wearing contacts that are improperly fit may cause scarring and inflammation of the sensitive corneal tissue (this may occur without any symptoms initially)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to:
- Remove your contact lenses immediately
- Consult an eye care professional
Proper fit includes protecting your precious eyesight as well as feeling comfortable in your contacts and enjoying excellent vision.
Why Choose Contact Lenses?
- Aesthetic Benefits: Enjoy a natural, glasses-free look without compromising vision.
- Practical Advantages: Perfect for active lifestyles, sports, and those looking for improved peripheral vision.
Types of Contact Lenses We Offer
Soft Contact Lenses:
Soft contact lenses are the most commonly prescribed option, offering comfort, convenience, and safety from an eye health perspective. Options included disposable lenses for daily, bi-weekly, or monthly replacement. They are perfect for those with active lifestyles or those seeking a hassle-free vision solution.
Choosing the Right Contact Lenses for You
Selecting the right contact lenses can be a complex decision, but our team is here to guide you. During your eye exam, we’ll discuss your prescription, lifestyle, and eye health status to help you find the perfect solution.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Prescription Needs: Whether you need lenses for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, or presbyopia (age-related loss of focus) we provide the best option using the latest technology
- Lifestyle: If you’re an athlete, student, parent, or busy professional, we’ll prescribe lenses that best suit your daily activities.
- Comfort: From first-time wearers to those suffering from dry eyes, we’ll ensure that your lenses are comfortable, provide clear vision, and promote optimal eye health.
Contact Lenses Health and Safety Concerns
While contact lenses are generally safe, it’s important to follow the hygiene practices and replacement schedules we teach you during your contact lens fitting, and ensure that you return to see our eye doctors at the recommended intervals.
Emergency Care
If you experience any discomfort, redness, discharge, swelling of the eyelids, or vision changes, remove your lenses immediately and contact us. We provide emergency care for any eye-related issues from 9 am to 9 pm 7 days per week.
Specialized Contact Lenses for Unique Needs
Multifocal Lenses for Presbyopia
Multifocal lenses provide a solution for those with presbyopia, allowing you to see clearly at both near and far distances.
Toric Lenses for Astigmatism
Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, providing clear vision for individuals with irregular corneas.
Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Designed to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), in children and teenagers, reducing the risk of future eye problems related to high myopia.
Pros and Cons of Contact Lenses
There are many benefits to contact lenses, but it’s important to understand both the pros and cons before deciding.
Advantages:
- Improved peripheral vision.
- Improved central vision for higher prescriptions
- Perfect for active individuals and athletes.
- No fogging or rain interference.
Disadvantages:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance required (if lenses are not replaced daily)
- Initial investment and ongoing costs.
The Cost of Contact Lenses
The cost of contact lenses varies based on type, fitting complexity, technology, and wear schedule. We offer competitive pricing, rebates and work with many insurance providers to make sure your lenses meet all your needs, can be worn safely, and fit within your budget.
Factors Influencing Cost:
- Type of lens (daily, bi-weekly, monthly, or specialized)
- Prescription complexity (e.g., astigmatism, presbyopia, irregular corneal shape)
- Technology
Discover the Benefits of Buying from Mountain View Optometry
- Doctor fit and approved: our optometrists are trained and experienced at managing all aspects of contact lens wear, most importantly, any eye health issues such as dry eye disease, diabetes, corneal or eyelid disease that may result from contact lens wear or affect performance
- Easy Prescription Exchange: Exchange your lenses for prescription changes when purchasing a 6-month supply or more.
- Exclusive Rebate Offers: Take advantage of special rebates not available through online or box-stores.
- Flexible Brand Exchanges: Swap contact lenses for newer or updated technologies.
Ready to try contact lenses or update your current prescription?
Book your consultation with one of our experienced optometrists today and start your journey to a clearer, more comfortable vision.
Written by Dr. Tom Wilk
About the Author:
Dr. Tom Wilk sees patients at his Cochrane location primarily. He developed the “Patient First” approach now adopted by all Doctors and staff at Mountain View Optometry. He obtained his Doctor of Optometry (OD) from the Michigan College of Optometry in 1994, and his B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo. A native of Toronto, Ontario, he came to Alberta in 1998, attracted by the opportunity to start an optometry practice in the only province that allowed ODs to practice within the full scope of their training.
