do i really need my eyes measured for contact lenses?

Question

the contacts I have are non prescription, just colored.

Answer 1

Yes you do...and if you got those contacts from a convenience store, throw them out ! They may not be sterile which can lead to serious eye infections.

Also, when an optometrist "measures" your eyes for contacts, they are finding what diameter your cornea is and what base curve your eyes can tolerate. And, how do you know you don't need a prescription if you just purchase contacts over the counter?

Answer 2

Your eye doctor will assure that your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses and check to assure the lens fits properly. This will insure comfort and prevent damage to your eye. FDA regulations classify contact lenses as medical devices if they help vision. Since colored non-prescription lenses are cosmetic, they fall through the cracks of this legislation. This loophole was supposedly closed by the same bill requiring doctors to release contact lens prescriptions to patients and mail-order. Anyone dispensing contact lenses without a prescription may be libel for damages.

Answer 3

I don't recall ever having my eyes measured when I got contacts. The optician just tried putting them in my eyes and saw they fit, which was good and I've worn contacts ever since.

Answer 4

Not unless they are hard contacts...then they need to measure the eye so that the contact doesn't dig into the eye.

Answer 5

Yes, their are two sizes-they depend on the angle/curvature of you eye ball. If you don't have the right size than your contacts would be uncomfortable and irritate the eye.

Answer 6

yeah and fitted too...it sounds weird, but I worked at lenscrafters and we did this all the time. You can truly cause damage to the retina if you don't take this precaution.