Eye wear FAQ

Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes, modern day contact lenses can be worn by people with astigmatism, or with just about any other type of refractive problem, including bifocals.

What if I need Bifocals?
There are contacts that have bifocals built right into them. There are also contacts we can fit one eye for far and one eye for near. (sounds odd but works very well)

Am I a candidate for LASIK?
To determine if someone is a candidate for LASIK we have them come in for an evaluation, during which the type of vision problem a person has is determined and conditions that are not compatible with LASIK are ruled out.

Can I save money by going to the mall for eyeglasses?
Not typically, most people who go to the optical chains often face great pressure not to get the cheaper glasses they see advertised and are often talked into getting more expensive glasses that are not included in the “two for one deal” they came in for.

A Consumer Reports study shows independent eye care practices score higher for staff expertise, frame selection, quality of eye wear materials, care taken to fit glasses, and follow-up service.

" … you might do better getting your specs at a doctor’s office or independent optical boutique; those typically scored high marks across the board, particularly when it came to employee know-how, service, and the quality of the finished glasses. You might even spend less than you would at some high-profile chains." Consumer Reports, December 2010.”

We will provide you the best value in quality eye wear and at a fair price. We carry the latest in eyeglass styles and fashion from only the best frame manufacturers. We do not carry cheaply made frames that quickly fall apart with normal use, discontinued frames, outdated designer styles, and inferior lens products that can distort vision, so that we can offer you a cheap price. We don't advertise low prices and then pressure you to buy more expensive eye wear once you arrive at our frame gallery, as is the common practice at many optical chain stores. AFEC fees are commensurate with the quality of our eye wear, and when compared to similar quality glasses elsewhere, are often lower than many "one-hour" optical stores.

Your Contact Lens Prescription
Your contact lens prescription contains specific information to ensure your contact lenses are safe, comfortable and provide optimum vision. Eye doctors use standard terms, abbreviations and measurements to write contact lens prescriptions. In addition, if you wear disposable contact lenses, your prescription may include how often your contact lenses should be replaced (once a month, every two weeks, once a week, daily, etc). Sometimes the lens brand includes information about the recommended replacement schedule (e.g., Ophtha-Lens One-Week), but the real judge is your eye care practitioner, who knows what’s best for your eyes and lifestyle. It’s also important to note that contacts and eyeglass prescriptions are not the same. So even if you already have an eyeglass prescription, you will need a separate contact lens prescription before you can purchase contacts

Can You Buy Contact Lenses Without a Prescription?
No, under U.S. law the purchase of all contact lenses requires a valid contact lens prescription written by a qualified eye care practitioner. This includes plano, or “non-prescription,” colored contact lenses or special-effect lenses that are worn for cosmetic purposes only. Your eye care practitioner can only write your contact lens prescription after a thorough contact lens exam and fitting.

Why Do You Need a Prescription?
It is illegal to sell contact lenses without a prescription, and for good reason.
A contact lens is a medical device, and a poorly fitted lens — or one made from a material not well-suited to your eyes — can cause distorted vision, discomfort, infection, inflammation, swelling and abrasion. In rare cases, permanent eye tissue damage could result. And it goes without saying that you should never share your contact lenses, including colored contacts and theatrical contacts. Sharing contact lenses can cause potentially sight-threatening eye problems. Even if you buy your replacement contacts from another source, you still need to visit your eye doctor for regular eye exams and contact lens fittings.

When Does Your Prescription Expire?
By law, contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year in Indiana .
When your prescription expires, you won’t be able to buy more lenses until your eye care practitioner gives you an updated prescription. This will involve an eye exam to check your general eye health and 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, you may not be able to wear your lenses for a while, however it’s unlikely that you’ll have to permanently discontinue wearing contacts. Chances are you’ll simply need to reduce your average wearing time, a different size, material or design of lens.