All new and existing patients need a valid contact lens prescription.
Contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year, and the expiration date will be written on your prescription.
It is illegal to sell contact lenses without a valid contact lens prescription.
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, even permanent eye damage and blindness can occur.
When a contact lens prescription expires, a patient won’t be able to buy more replacement contact lenses until an optometrist updates it. This typically will require a full eye examination at that time to ensure that contact lens wear isn’t affecting the health of the eyes and to see if the patient requires a change in the prescription.
College of Optometry Standards of Practice*
Before contact lens fittings, optometrists obtain required clinical information (OPR 4.2) to
determine the suitability of patients for contact lens wear. Special emphasis is given to the
analysis of:
- the health of the cornea, conjunctiva, lids, tarsal and bulbar conjunctiva, and the integrity of the tear layer
- corneal curvature
- refractive status and visual acuity
- the effects that contact lens wear may have on the function of the accommodative, oculo-motor and sensory systems; and
- relevant environmental, occupational, avocational, emotional and systemic health factors affecting contact lens wear.
To allow patients to make informed decisions about proceeding with treatment, optometrists provide information about the advantages, risks, limitations, and costs of contact lens wear and on the prognosis for successful treatment. Patients may choose to proceed with the contact lens fitting by their optometrist, or may obtain a copy of the spectacle prescription to be used for contact lens fitting by other qualified practitioners.
In fitting contact lenses, optometrists will determine, by diagnostic fitting or calculation, lenses that are appropriate for their patients. The initial lenses are evaluated on a patient’s eyes and subsequent modifications of the lens parameters
are made as required.
Instructions are provided to patients with respect to:
- hygiene
- lens insertion and removal
- use of specific lens care products
- recommended wearing times and replacement schedules
- normal and abnormal adaptive symptoms
- contraindications to lens use
- progress evaluations; and
- appropriate instructions on how and when to access emergency care (OPR 4.6).
Patients are examined during the adaptation period to assess lens performance, adaptation and compliance.
Once optometrists are satisfied that the adaptation process is complete, and that the parameters of the contact lenses are correct, a contact lens prescription can be finalized. Optometrists are entitled to remuneration for all professional services involved in the determination of these prescriptions. At this point, patients have the option of obtaining contact lenses from their optometrist, or requesting a copy of the contact lens prescription in order to obtain contact lenses elsewhere.
Continuing Care
Optometrists provide continuing care to established contact lens patients. In providing continuing care, optometrists:
- maintain a history concerning:
- the specifications, age and wearing schedule of current contact lenses
- the current lens care regime
- any adverse reactions associated with contact lens wear; and
- any health or medication changes.
- assess patients to determine if they are achieving acceptable
- lens appearance and fit
- wearing time
- comfort with lenses in place
- corneal clarity and integrity
- conjunctival and lid appearance
- tear characteristics
- over-refraction for best visual acuity
- spectacle acuity
- compliance with recommendations on lens handling, lens care, lens replacement and wearing times
- identify any problems and counsel patients as necessary
- provide and implement management plans for any problems identified, making recommendations for further care
Replacement Contact Lens Services
When providing replacement contact lens services, optometrists are responsible for:
- determining the currency of clinical information and providing diagnostic services as required
- determining the need for alteration of previous lens specifications and adjusts accordingly
- advising patients as to the need for and extent of continuing care
- confirming the parameters of contact lenses as ordered; and
- providing follow-up services as needed.