DruckerEye's blog

A glasses prescription is NOT a contact lens prescription.

And I'm not just saying that so you have to hand over more money to receive your contacts RX.

Truthfully, the prescription for your glasses is similar, but is not the same as your eyeglass prescription.  Let's look at what's different:

First:

Recently, our office has seen an uprise on contact lens related issues.  I'm not just talking about new wearers, but established wearers who have worn lenses for years.  We've also seen more and more patients confused about our contact lens fitting policies and our definition of contacts as medical devices.  So I think it's time for a little Contact Lens 101, or a refresher course.

First: CONTACT LENSES ARE A MEDICAL DEVICE

This is not our definition, it's the FDA's.  Here's proof.  Notice the FDA website's section on contacts is listed under the heading "Medical Device".

Second: EVEN DECORATIVE LENSES (lenses with no prescription in them) ARE MEDICAL DEVICES AND REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION.

Again, here's proof. If that link is a little too technical-speak, please refer to this one.

Third: CONTACT LENS ISSUES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS INVOLVING A MEDICAL DEVICE.

During a 24 month study conducted by the FDA, contact lens emergencies accounted for 23% of all medical device related visits for children birth to age 21.  That's 70,000 visits for only 100 hospitals.  Read more.

Fourth: CONTACTS ARE ABUSED BY GROWN-UPS TOO.

Two Johnson&Johnson surveys showed that nearly half of all contacts wearers do not wash their hands before removing or inserting their lenses.  A significant number did not replace their lenses as often as they should.  Most used tap water - a serious no-no!  Read more on the surveys here.

Fifth: PURCHASING CONTACT LENSES REQUIRES A VALID PRESCRIPTION.

You are required to have a prescription before you buy any lenses.  If you don't have one, could you get in trouble? No, but the person who sells you the lenses could! Read the FDA's blurb here.

So what can happen if you don't take care of your lenses? Visit our Contact Lens Risks page to find out.

Come back next week when our blog post will focus on how a contact lens prescription is determined and what insurances pay for in regards to your prescription.  For now, here's some reminders on how to care for your contact lenses/medical devices.

Another thought for contact wearers: get rid of all the hassle and have LASIK instead. Studies show LASIK may be safer than contacts.  Read more.                     Visit our LASIK page here.

In Style magazine recently announced their Best Beauty Buys of 2010, selected by Hair, Makeup, and Skin Industry Experts.  We are excited to say that we sell a few of the products chosen.   See these great picks (and SAVE 5%) below:

Most of the time when you hear the term "lid lift", you automatically think, "Cosmetic surgery. Out-of-pocket expense."

Sometimes, this isn't true, though.  

Lid lifts, technically known as blepharoplasty, refers to the removal of droopy skin and fat around the upper and lower lids. When a bleph is performed, the appearance is generally more youthful, which is why many people opt to have the procedure.

Medical care, like any other service, leaves patients at the mercy of the provider.  Unfortunately, most people don't know what good eye care service looks like.  You may think that you are getting a good value for what you have purchased, but are you really?  Here are a few of the most common areas that some eye care provider's may take advantage:

1. A complete exam

This February, EyeCare America is reminding seniors in Colorado that sometimes, "The Best Things in Life are Free,” and that you can’t put a price tag on love, friendship or the importance of eye sight. This Valentine’s Day campaign encourages those age 65 and older to visit the EyeCare America website to see if they qualify for a free exam.

Another year has ended-time seems to be moving so quickly. Have you noticed that also? 

From Medical News Today:

Halloween contact lenses and special effects lenses such as Ciba’s Wild Eyes, are a fun entertaining way to drastically change your appearance.  When purchased through a qualified eye physician, these lenses are also fairly safe.  In the United States, special effects lenses, and all contact lenses, can only be purchased with a valid contact lens prescription.  Outside the U.S., however, and via websites based in other countries, contact lenses can be purchased without a prescription.