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View Full Version : If a Person Has Eyeglasses, Can the Same Prescription Be Used for Contact Lenses?


Clough
May 14, 2010, 11:41 PM
Hi, All!

The title is my basic question.

To further explain though, let's say that a person already has a prescription for eyeglasses and they also want to get contact lenses. Can the same prescription be used, or are they entirely different types of prescriptions, since one would be for eyeglasses and the other would be for contact lenses?

Thanks!

tickle
May 15, 2010, 05:37 AM
I know we have experts for this, Clough, but it is my understanding it has to be a different prescription. Possibly because the contact lenses go directly on your eyeball, so the vision requirements would be different.

Tick

ChihuahuaMomma
May 15, 2010, 10:40 AM
That is correct. You need a separate RX for glasses and contacts. With contacts they prescription has to compensate for being directly on your eye instead of sitting in front of it. Not to mention you have your base curve and diameter and whole fit of the lens involved with a contact lens prescription.

Clough
May 15, 2010, 10:47 AM
So, is there not even a remote relationship between the prescription for contact lenses and eyeglasses? Are the prescription that different, that if an optometrist saw one prescription, it wouldn't give him or her any idea as to how the other prescription might be?

Thanks!

tickle
May 15, 2010, 10:52 AM
A technician could not formulate contact lenses from an eyeglass prescription. The material for both is different, that in itself is the reason it can't be done.

I know it is an additional expense, probably for you, if you would like to have contact lenses instead of regular glasses but your vision health is at stake if not done properly.

Tick

ChihuahuaMomma
May 15, 2010, 01:22 PM
It might not be that much of an expense, Clough since you are currently already wearing contacts, you've already been fitted for them. The additional fee comes when that fit needs to be changed for instance when you change brands.