Understanding Your Contact Lens Prescription

By Liz Segre

On this page:

In February 2004, legislation went into effect giving all U.S. consumers the right to a copy of their contact lens prescription (before then, only consumers in certain states were entitled to their Rx). Contact lens wearers in all 50 states now have the option of buying contact lenses from their eyecare practitioner (ECP) — a catch-all term for optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians — or shopping around at various optical chains, warehouse clubs, and Internet sites. Click here for the text of the legislation.

Buying Lenses and Getting Fitted: Two Different Things

It's important to remember that this law doesn't eliminate ECPs from the process of fitting and prescribing contacts. In the United States, contact lenses are a prescription item, just like medicines. And even if you already have an eyeglass prescription, you need a contact lens prescription that contains additional information.

The 2004 law pertains to buying the lenses themselves, after you've been fitted — and especially the continual supply of replacement contact lenses you'll need if you wear disposable contacts.

You can buy contact lenses from your eye doctor, or from alternative suppliers of replacement lenses.

It used to be that replacement contact lenses were available only from eye doctors. That has changed, but the need for regular eye exams and contact lens fittings is as important as ever.

Why a Prescription?

A contact lens is a medical device. If it's not properly prescribed, you may not see well. More importantly, a poorly fitting lens — or one made from a material not well-suited to your eyes — could result in discomfort, inflammation, swelling, abrasion, or another problem that could, in rare cases, result in permanent eye tissue damage.

That, and the risk of infection, are also why it's unwise to share contact lenses with other wearers.

Throughout the United States, you can be fitted for contact lenses by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. In some states, opticians also can be certified to fit contact lenses.

When Does Your Rx Expire?

By law contact lens prescriptions are valid for a minimum of one year, or the minimum required by state law, whichever is greater.

When your prescription expires, you won't be able to buy more lenses until you get an updated prescription. This will probably involve a checkup by your ECP to be certain that contact lenses aren't adversely affecting your eyes.

"Just because your eyes feel good and your contact lenses seem to be working well does not mean your eye health is O.K.," says Charles Slonim, MD, an ophthalmologist in Tampa. "You may be having microscopic problems that can be seen only with a slit lamp [a type of microscope used during an eye exam]."

Dr. Slonim says that about 10 percent of the time when he sees a patient during a follow-up visit, he notices something that could become a problem if not taken care of immediately.

Remember, if you're diagnosed with a lens-related problem, it's unlikely that you'll have to permanently discontinue wearing contacts. Chances are you'll simply need a different size, material or design of lens.
 

Interpreting Your Contact Lens Prescription

Eye doctors use standard terms, abbreviations and measurements to write contact lens prescriptions. It can look like a secret code at first, but it's really quite simple to decipher.

Below is an example contact lens prescription. Place your cursor over each element, and it will be explained on the right:

Contact Lenses

LASIK & Vision Surgery

Eyeglasses

Sunglasses

Eye Exams

Problems & Diseases

  Cataracts

  Glaucoma

  Macular Degeneration

  Other Diseases

Vision Insurance

Low Vision

Computer Vision

Sports Vision

Nutrition & Eyes

Buy Smarter

Vision Over 40

Vision Over 60

Children's Vision

Teens

Resources

Home

SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses offer rigid lens acuity with soft lens comfort

Daily disposable contacts from CooperVision: healthy, convenient & affordable

Similasan eye drops provide relief for dry eyes and allergy eyes

Lobob offers allergy-free lens care for RGP/hard lenses. Get a $1 coupon

Acuvue Bifocal contact lenses help you see clearly near and far




 

In addition to the above information, your prescription may note how often your contact lenses must be replaced (once a month, every two weeks, once a week, daily, etc.). Or you may be instructed verbally, during your exam. Often the lens brand includes this information (e.g., Ophtha-Lens One-Week), but the real judge is your eyecare practitioner, who knows which replacement option is best for your eyes and lifestyle.

[Page updated October 2006]

SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses offer rigid lens acuity with soft lens comfort

Daily disposable contacts from CooperVision: healthy, convenient & affordable

Similasan eye drops provide relief for dry eyes and allergy eyes

Lobob offers allergy-free lens care for RGP/hard lenses. Get a $1 coupon

Acuvue Bifocal contact lenses help you see clearly near and far

Reproduction of any images or text from this website is prohibited by copyright law. Please read our copyright infringement policy.

Link Colors: Green = glossary terms, Blue = other pages
 
All About Vision is a registered service mark of Access Media Group LLC.
Copyright 2000-2008 Access Media Group LLC.

This website is accredited by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

We comply with the
HONcode standard for
trustworthy health
information:
verify here.