Are Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions the Same? in Long Beach

👓➡️👀 Thinking about switching from glasses to contacts? At Sea View Optometric, we know it seems like you could just use the same numbers for both, right? It’s a common thought, but they are more like cousins than identical twins, related, but definitely different.

The short answer is no, your contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions are not the same.  Each is designed just for how your lenses sit in relation to your eyes, and that’s why your contact lens exam is such an important step in keeping your vision clear and your eyes healthy 

Why You Need Separate Prescriptions for Glasses and Contacts

The main reason your prescriptions are different comes down to distance. Your glasses sit about 12 millimeters away from your eyes. Your contacts, however, rest directly on the surface of your eyes. That tiny difference changes everything! 

The Key Difference Is Distance

Because contacts sit directly on your eye, the power needed to correct your vision is often different than what you need for glasses. An eye doctor calculates this change to get the power just right for your contacts. This is just one part of a comprehensive eye exam and helps you see clearly and comfortably. During your contact lens exam, our SeaView team measures and customizes this fit to make sure your lenses feel comfy and your vision stays crystal-clear.

More Than Just Vision Correction

A contact lens prescription includes specific measurements that an eyeglass prescription doesn’t have. These details, which accommodate for different types of contact lenses, are all about how the lens fits your unique eye shape. This helps keep your eyes comfortable and healthy while you wear them.

✨ Every eye is unique, and so is every lens! That’s why we personalize your prescription based on your eye health, comfort, and lifestyle, especially if you deal with things like dryness or allergies.

A Separate Exam Is Necessary

To get these special measurements, you need a contact lens fitting in addition to your regular eye exam. A contact lens exam is quick and personalized, helping us find the perfect lenses for your eyes. During your exam:

• We’ll check your eye health 👁️
• Try on diagnostic lenses right in the office 👓
• Make sure the fit, comfort, and clarity are perfect ✅
• Teach you how to insert, remove, and clean your lenses safely  🫧

The friendly team at our practice performs this exam. It helps confirm your contacts fit properly and support your eye health.

💡 Good habits = happy eyes!

What’s on a Contact Lens Prescription?

Your contact lens prescription has several key pieces of information. They all work together to help ensure your lenses are a great match for your eyes:

• Power/Sphere: This number corrects for nearsightedness or farsightedness.
• Base Curve (BC): This measures the curvature of the back of the contact lens so it can match the curve of your eye for a safe fit.
• Diameter (DIA): This is the width of the contact lens from edge to edge and ensures the lens covers the right parts of your eye.
• Lens Brand and Material: Your doctor prescribes a specific brand based on your eye health, like if you’re dealing with symptoms of dry eye, and your lifestyle.

Once you have all this information on your prescription, you’re ready to go! If you already have a valid prescription with us, you can even order your contact lens refills online for extra convenience.

The Contact Lens Exam and Fit

A contact lens exam is more than just a vision check; it’s a personalized process to find the right lenses for you. It’s an important step in your eye care. It helps you wear contacts safely and with ease.

Check Your Eye Health

First, the doctor will look at the overall health of your eyes. They check for any conditions, like allergies or issues that might require dry eye therapy. This can affect which type of contact lenses work for you.

Find Your Fit

You’ll get to try on a pair of diagnostic lenses right in the office. The team will check the fit, your comfort, and how well you can see. This trial run helps confirm the prescription is just right before you order a full supply.

Learn Proper Care and Handling

You’ll also learn all the essentials of proper contact lens care. This includes how to safely put them in, take them out, and clean them. Good habits help keep your eyes happy and healthy.

Can You Convert a Glasses Prescription to Contacts Yourself?

It can be tempting to look up a conversion chart online, but this isn’t a safe shortcut. A contact lens is a medical device for a reason. An incorrectly fitted lens, even with the right power, can lead to discomfort, blurry vision, or even damage to your eye’s surface that could require emergency eye care.

Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Happy with the Right Prescription

Your eyes deserve the best! So, no guesswork, just clear, comfortable vision every day! Just like you wouldn’t use the same key for 2 different locks, you need separate prescriptions for your glasses and contacts. Each one is tailored to do a specific job.

Two Prescriptions for Two Jobs

Remember that glasses and contacts work in different ways to help you see clearly. Each one needs its own unique prescription to do its job well. This supports your vision and comfort throughout the day.

Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam

Regular adult and senior eye exams are the foundation of great vision. When you book your next appointment with your eye doctor, let the team know if you’re interested in both glasses and contacts. They can schedule the appropriate exams for you.

See Clearly with the Right Contacts

Getting the right fit for both your glasses and your contacts helps you see the world clearly and comfortably. It’s all about having the correct tools to support your eyes. Book your next appointment with us today! The team at Sea View Optometric is here to help you find a great fit, so you can feel confident in your vision.💙