Contact Lens Exams

Exam

At McNeel Eye Center, we strive to meet all of your eye and vision care needs. Corrective lens evaluations and prescription management are provided by our optometrist in Boise. After a comprehensive eye and vision evaluation, Brian McNeel will discuss the variety of contact lens options with you to select the type that best fits your vision needs and lifestyle. If you suffer from dry eye, allergies, or recurring eye infections, speak with our staff to determine whether contact lenses are right for you.

Evaluation

Prior to prescribing contact lenses, McNeel determines what level of vision correction you require. Refractive error (commonly known as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism depending on the error) is evaluated by measuring how the eyes focus when a series of different lenses are placed in front of them. An optometrist may use either a phoropter or an automated instrument to take these measurements. To schedule an appointment for a vision evaluation with our Boise optometrist, call (208) 938-2010 today.

Corrective Lenses

After determining the level of refractive error, McNeel works with you to determine whether contact lenses or glasses are best for your lifestyle. If you suffer from certain conditions, such as dry eye or allergies, glasses may be the most comfortable corrective solution. Contact lenses are available in either soft or rigid gas permeable form. Contact lenses need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what type of lens you select. Specialized contact lenses, such as bifocal contact lenses, are also available for patients with special eye conditions. Call us at (208) 938-2010 if you are interested in learning if contact lenses are a good fit for you.

Cosmetic Lenses

Advances in contact lens technology have created great options for cosmetic and prosthetic lenses. Custom contact lenses can be created to camouflage any color variation or irregularity and produce a natural eye color. Cosmetic lenses are also available to transform your eye color. Call us at (208) 938-2010 and speak to our knowledgeable staff if you are interested in modifying or changing your eye color with contact lenses.

Can Children Learn to Use Contact Lenses?

When studied, 90 percent of children in a group of eight to 11 years olds were able to use daily disposable contact lenses with little to no trouble.* Even though many parents won't consider contact lenses for their children until they are teenagers, clearly younger children can lear proper hygiene and usage of contact lenses.

If you are considering contact lenses for your child, talk to our staff about how they handle other responsibilities. Does he or she need regular reminders to wash their hands, close doors or container, or to provide other kinds of self-care? If yes, then your child may need some more time before learning how to use contact lenses. If you feel your child is mature enough to complete everyday self-care tasks, remembers to wash their hands, and will practice putting lenses in and taking them out carefully, they may be ready to try.

Why Should Children Try Contact Lenses?

On average, many eye care professionals begin to encourage contact lenses wear between the ages of 11 and 14. Not everyone enjoys wearing contacts, but it's a good idea to let children try. By giving them an opportunity to try contact early, they are more likely to build the skills needed to place and remove contacts with ease. Adults who try contact lenses later in life are still capable of learning, but often take extra time and don't enjoy the novelty of contact lenses like younger patients do.

Still, some patients always prefer to wear glasses no matter their age, ant that's okay! Having options is great, so we are more than happy to help your children learn about wearing contact lenses. If you would like to speak with someone about getting contact lenses for your child, contacts us for a consultation. We can provide information on getting an exam, lens fitting, and follow-up to be sure you and your child are happy with the new eyewear.

If you would like to learn more, please call us to schedule an appointment!

*"Daily disposable contact lens wear in myopic children." Optometry and Vision Science. Vol. 81, No. 4 (April 2004); pp. 255-259.



Contact Us

Hours of Operation

Monday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed