5 Tips to Help You Pick the Perfect Contact Lenses

There’s something oddly satisfying about popping in a pair of contact lenses and seeing the world snap into focus, but finding the right pair? That’s the tricky part.

At Mascoutah Eye Care, we provide more than just regular fittings. We customize your contact lenses to fit your lifestyle, eye shape, and long-term eye health. Whether you're managing dry eye, astigmatism or simply want freedom from glasses, our team is here to make the process easier—and a whole lot more comfortable.

How do Contact Lenses Work?

Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, correcting vision the same way glasses do—but with a wider field of view and less bulk. They bend light rays so that they focus correctly on your retina, giving you clear vision. Depending on your prescription and visual needs, lenses can correct eye conditions such as myopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia.

At Mascoutah Eye Care, our eye care professionals start with a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy and your prescription is accurate. Then, we consider the shape and moisture level of your eyes before recommending a contact lens type.

Types of Contact Lenses Explained

We offer a wide variety of contact lenses to suit different needs. Here's a breakdown of what we carry and how each type might fit into your daily life:

Soft Contact Lenses

These are the most common and comfortable options for many patients. They come in daily disposable, bi-weekly, or monthly disposables, offering flexibility and convenience.

Toric Lenses for Astigmatism

Toric contact lenses are specially designed to correct astigmatism by conforming to the unique shape of your eye. They're available in soft and gas-permeable styles.

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses are ideal for patients who require assistance with both near and distant vision, particularly those over 40 years old. These lenses reduce the need for reading glasses.

Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses

Also known as rigid lenses, GP lenses allow more oxygen to pass through, providing crisp, sharp vision. They take a little getting used to but can be a great long-term option.

Altius Performance-Tinted Lenses

Altius lenses are designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, reducing glare and enhancing contrast in bright light.

MiSight 1-Day for Myopia Control

Especially helpful for children with daily wear, MiSight lenses help slow the progression of nearsightedness over time.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Contacts

Once you understand your options, these five tips can help you narrow down your choices.

1. Start With a Professional Contact Lens Fitting: Even if you’ve worn contacts before, it’s important to get fitted every time. Your eye shape can change, and so can your vision correction needs. At Mascoutah Eye Care, we tailor your fit to your current eye health and prescription.

2. Be Honest About Your Lifestyle: Do you wear lenses every day or just on weekends? Need something for sports, computer work, or both? Your habits can help determine whether daily disposables or longer-wear lenses are the better choice for you.

3. Consider Dry Eye Symptoms: If your eyes tend to feel gritty or tired by the end of the day, dry eye could affect your lens comfort. We offer contact lens-friendly dry eye treatments right here in Mascoutah to help manage those symptoms.

4. Don’t Overlook Oxygen Flow: Oxygen permeability matters—especially if you wear contacts for long hours. Lenses like Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and INFUSE™ are designed to keep your eyes healthy and breathable throughout the day.

5. Ask for Samples: We’ll often send you home with trial lenses before finalizing your prescription. It’s a no-pressure way to make sure the lenses feel right before committing.

Choose the Right Contacts for Your Eyes in Mascoutah

When it comes to contact lenses, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and that’s precisely why we take the time to get it right. At Mascoutah Eye Care, we’ll guide you through every step, from your first fitting to long-term care.

Whether you're curious about switching to contacts or you're ready for an upgrade, our optometrists are here to help you see more clearly and comfortably. Ready to find your perfect fit? Book your eye care appointment.