Contact Lenses FAQs

Are you considering making the switch from eyeglasses, or addition of contact lenses with eyeglasses, but still have questions on your mind? We’ve answered a few of the most common questions below. 

Can I order contact lenses online with VSP vision insurance? 

Yes, you can apply your VSP^® insurance at Eyeconic.com, our in-network website for contacts and eyewear. Simply connect your benefits online and save instantly at checkout. Staying in-network is smart because you maximize your benefits and don’t have to fill out a claim form to be reimbursed later. 

Can I use my vision insurance to buy contacts at the eye doctor’s office? 

Yes, there are over 41,000 VSP eye doctors in the United States. These optometrists and ophthalmologists are in-network providers, which means you’ll get the maximum benefit from your plan by shopping for contact lenses at their offices as opposed to purchasing from an out-of-network doctor. 

Do I need a contact lens exam?

Yes. Contact lens exams ensure that your lens prescription correctly fits your eyes and your vision needs. An improperly fitting contact lens limits proper oxygen exchange from the environment to the eye and can cause discomfort and even irritation to the overall health of your eyes.. Even seasoned contact lens wearers should have annual exams to make sure that their eyes show no signs of ill effects from the lenses. 

Can I use my glasses prescription for contacts?

An eyeglass prescription differs from a contact lens prescription because it doesn’t include the diameter and base curve components, which are necessary for a well-fitting lens. Whether you are an experienced or first-time contact lens wearer, schedule a contact lens exam with your eye doctor to evaluate your personal vision needs. Remember, prescriptions can change over time! 

Can I wear contact lenses when I sleep?

It depends on whether your lenses have been FDA approved and recommended by your optometrist for overnight wear. Your eye doctor is best suited to determine if overnight wear is the right option for you. If your lenses aren’t designed to be slept in, removing them and following proper hygiene protocol is the safest practice to reduce the chances of infection and complications. 

Can I go swimming with my contact lenses in? What about showering?

No. Any type of water may contain microbes, bacteria, and fungi that can contaminate your lenses and may lead to corneal infections, painful irritation, and even cause an ulcer to develop on your eye. Skip the contacts when swimming and talk to your eye doctor about available swim goggles instead. 

And just like swimming with contacts is a bad idea, so is wearing them in the shower. Instead, store your contacts in lens solution while you shower so they can get a bath of their own. 

Can I wear contacts if I wear bifocal reading glasses?

Yes, you can wear “multifocal” or “bifocal” contact lenses. These lens designs are for people with presbyopia, an age-related condition that occurs when the eye’s natural lens stiffens and no longer focuses well on close objects. Technology has advanced for people with astigmatism as well by providing the option for multifocal contact lenses with astigmatism correction. Your optometrist would be the best person to decide whether multifocal or bifocal lenses are the best option for you. 

Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism?

Yes! Here are some options your eye care provider may recommend:

• Toric contact lenses are specially designed soft lenses which correct the refractive (light bending) error that an astigmatic cornea causes*.  

• Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (also called RGP or GP contact lenses) retain their spherical shape on the eye and in effect replaces the misshapen cornea as the refracting surface of the eye. 

• Hybrid lenses have the qualities of RGP contact lenses combined with the comfort of soft lenses*.  

Talk to your eye doctor about which astigmatism contact lenses she/he recommends for your eyes. 

Can I use eye drops?

It’s important to know which eye drops are safe to use while wearing contact lenses. Any eye drops that are not FDA approved should not be used. Talk to your doctor about the FDA approved eye drops that can be used while wearing contacts. Non-approved eye drops can cause deposits on the contact lenses which will start to break down the material of the lenses. This will lead to discomfort and will require you to throw out your contact lenses.  

Play it safe and take your drops and your questions to your eye doctor who can help you determine which eye drops are safe to use. 

Do I need to replace my contacts on a routine schedule even if they feel comfortable?

Absolutely. When contacts are worn longer than they should be worn, the lens material will start to break down and expose your eyes to the outside pollutants and bacteria. This can lead to discomfort, foreign body sensation, eye redness, irritation, and more. Talk to your optometrist about an appropriate contact lens wear routine based on the specific brand of contacts you have.