Contact lenses are medical devices worn directly on the surface of the eye. Like eyeglasses, contact lenses help to correct refractive errors by adding or subtracting focusing power to the eye’s cornea and lens. Contacts provide a safe and effective way to correct vision when used with care and proper supervision. They can be a good alternative to eyeglasses, depending on your eyes and your lifestyle. For certain conditions, contact lenses may be considered medically necessary.
The providers that offer contact lens prescriptions at Minnesota Eye Consultants are those on our Optometry Team. In addition, we are honored to have several that specifically offer Specialty Contact Lens services to patients. If you’re interested in contact lenses, please notify our appointment team when scheduling your annual exam. They will be sure to schedule you with the correct provider, as our surgeons and general ophthalmologists do not fit contact lenses. If you’re scheduling a Contact Lens appointment only (not a full eye exam), then you must have had an eye exam within the last 6 months.
Obtaining the right contact lens fit can be a serious challenge for some individuals. Before getting discouraged and giving up on contacts altogether, you may want to visit with a Contact Lens Specialist. These providers are experts in their field and have access to advanced technology that can offer more insight into your particular situation.
There are a variety of reasons why your eyes may be considered “hard to fit” for contacts, but a few of the common conditions that tend to make wearing contacts more challenging are listed below:
If you’ve historically had a difficult time with contacts, visit one of our Contact Lens Specialists to see what options are available to you. They will do everything in their power to provide you with the best contact lens fit possible.
In order to schedule a Contact Lens Fitting appointment, you must have had an eye exam within the last 6 months. These fitting appointments typically take up to two hours and sometimes are able to be completed at the same time as your comprehensive eye exam. Depending on the complexity of the appointment, however, it is possible this will need to occur on a separate visit.
During your fitting appointment, a Corneal Topography test will be completed, which maps out the unique characteristics of your cornea (the “hills and valleys” of your eye). This will help ensure an ideal and healthy fit when wearing contact lenses.
Contact lens prescriptions are typically valid for two years, however, certain medical conditions may warrant a prescription to only be valid for one year. This is up to your doctor’s discretion, but a valid contact lens prescription is required before ordering contact lenses.
Specialty Contact Lenses must be ordered through a Contact Lens Representative by calling (952) 567-6076.
Payment is required in full prior to ordering lenses, even if we are submitting a claim to insurance. Regardless of whether or not the lenses are deemed “Medically Necessary” by your doctor, there’s still a good chance insurance will deny the claim and you’ll be responsible for payment. For questions on a denied claim, please contact your insurance carrier.
Depending on what kind of Specialty Contact Lens you need, this timeframe does vary as follows:
Soft Contact Lenses
typically arrive in 3-5 business days if ordered through a Contact Lens Representative. If you purchase Soft Disposable Contact Lenses through the Online Store, then your contacts will be shipped directly to your home, usually within 5-7 business days.
Made-to-order Contact Lenses
(Complex Lenses and Soft Custom Lenses) may take 2-4 weeks depending on the lab and the complexity of the lenses.
Hard Contacts and some Specialty Soft Contact Lenses can’t be ordered through the Online Store. You can purchase these directly through a Minnesota Eye Consultants Contact Lens Representative. Simply call (952) 567-6076 to place your order.
Contact Lens Accessories, such as contact inserters, Contact Lens Solutions, etc. can be purchased on our Online Store.
There may be times when a Dispense Appointment is necessary, meaning your doctor will request you come into the office to pick up your Contact Lenses. This may happen, for instance, if there’s a large shift in your prescription or if there’s a need to check the fit of the contact lens prior to you bringing it home. Your Contact Lens Specialist will inform you if this appointment is necessary.
Please keep these important tips in mind when caring for your contact lenses:
If you have questions about Specialty Contact Lenses, please contact our Contact Lens Specialists at (952) 567-6076.
Minnesota Eye Consultants is proud to offer patients convenient access to eye care across the Twin Cities. We have 5 locations, each with an onsite ambulatory surgery center (ASC).
