Eyewear & Specialty Contact Lens FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most common questions patients ask when selecting prescription glasses, custom optical lenses, or contact lenses. These FAQs cover our optical boutique’s designer frames (including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, and Tom Ford), custom digital anti-glare coatings, standard contact lens fittings, and specialty hard-to-fit contact lenses (such as Scleral and Rigid Gas Permeable lenses for keratoconus and severe astigmatism).

If you want to explore our complete optical inventory or learn about custom contact lens fittings, you can read more about our Eyewear & Designer Frames, Contact Lens Exams, and Specialty Contact Lenses.

Can I order glasses online if I have my prescription?

Yes, but ordering directly through an optical boutique ensures precise custom measurements, such as pupil distance (PD) and fitting heights, that online vendors cannot verify, guaranteeing proper optical alignment and vision clarity.

Who has the best deal on prescription eyeglasses?

The best value comes from high-quality independent optical boutiques that bundle certified optical lenses, anti-glare coatings, and durable frames while maximizing your vision insurance benefits or FSA/HSA dollars.

Can you just buy prescription glasses?

Yes, as long as you have a valid, unexpired optical prescription (typically issued within the last 12 to 24 months) provided by a licensed optometrist.

Who has the best prescription glasses?

The best prescription glasses are customized to your specific lifestyle, prescription power, and face shape using premium, lightweight materials (like titanium or acetate) and digitally surfaced lenses from trusted manufacturers.

Can you buy your own frames for prescription glasses?

Yes. You can bring your own quality frames to our optical department, where our opticians will inspect the frame's structural integrity and fit custom prescription lenses into them.

Who makes the best prescription glasses frames?

Leading eyewear brands, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, Tom Ford, and Silhouette, are renowned for superior hinge durability, lightweight comfort, and ergonomic design.

Are eyeglass lens coatings worth it?

Yes. Premium lens coatings protect your visual investment by significantly reducing glare, preventing surface scratches, filtering harmful blue light, and easing eye fatigue.

What is the best lens coating for glasses?

An advanced Anti-Reflective (AR) coating combined with hydrophobic (water-repellent) and scratch-resistant layers is the overall gold standard for clarity and longevity.

How much does lens coating cost?

Basic anti-scratch coatings are often included with premium lenses, while advanced anti-reflective, blue-light-filtering, or photochromic (Transitions®) coatings generally range from $50 to $150.

Can eyeglass lenses be recoated?

No. Lens coatings are applied during the manufacturing process in a vacuum sealed environment. Once worn or damaged, the entire lens must be replaced.

Do you really need a contact lens fitting?

Yes. Contact lenses are medical devices that rest directly on your cornea. A dedicated fitting ensures correct lens curvature, moisture levels, and oxygen permeability to prevent corneal damage or infection.

What is done in a contact lens exam?

In addition to a standard vision test, a contact lens exam measures your corneal curvature (topography), evaluates tear film quality, tests lens movement on the eye, and provides trial lenses to confirm clear, stable vision.

How much is a typical contact lens exam?

A standard contact lens exam and evaluation generally ranges from $80 to $150 in addition to a comprehensive eye exam, depending on prescription complexity and visual needs.

What is the difference between a regular eye exam and a contact lens exam?

A regular eye exam tests general eye health and determines a glasses prescription. A contact lens exam specifically measures the surface shape of your eye and evaluates physical lens fit and ocular safety.

Can I just get a contact lens exam?

A contact lens evaluation must be conducted alongside or following a comprehensive health exam to verify that your eyes are healthy enough to safely wear contact lenses.

What do they do for contact lens fitting?

The doctor maps your cornea, selects specific lens parameters, places trial lenses on your eyes, assesses physical alignment under a biomicroscope, and evaluates your overall wearing comfort.

What are specialty contact lenses?

Specialty lenses are custom-designed contact lenses, such as Scleral, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP), Hybrid, or Multifocal lenses, engineered for hard-to-fit eyes, severe astigmatism, presbyopia, or irregular corneas (like keratoconus).

What are the highest quality contact lenses?

The highest quality lenses are custom-lathed gas permeable or scleral lenses tailored to your precise eye geometry, as well as premium silicone hydrogel daily disposables.

How expensive are specialty contact lenses?

Specialty contact lens fits and custom diagnostic materials typically range from $500 to $2,500+ depending on condition complexity (e.g., severe keratoconus vs. basic multifocal fits).

Why do I have to pay for a contact lens fitting every year?

Contact lens fittings are required annually by law because your corneal curvature and tear production change over time. An annual check verifies that your lenses are not causing silent corneal hypoxia, swelling, or scarring.

What does a scleral lens do?

A scleral lens vaults completely over the irregular cornea and rests gently on the sclera (white part of the eye). It creates a liquid reservoir beneath the lens that smooths optical irregularities and continuously hydrates dry eyes.

What are the downsides of scleral lenses?

Downsides include a steeper initial cost, a learning curve for insertion/removal using special plunger tools, and the need to replace sterile saline solution throughout the day if debris accumulates under the lens.

How much do scleral lenses cost?

A complete scleral fitting package, including 3D corneal mapping, custom diagnostic trials, multi-lens adjustments, and the custom lenses themselves, typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500. Medically necessary coverage or vision plans may help cover these costs.

Can you get 20/20 vision with scleral lenses?

Yes. Many patients with severe irregular astigmatism or advanced keratoconus who cannot see clearly with glasses achieve crisp 20/20 vision with custom scleral lenses.

How much do RGP contact lenses typically cost?

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses typically cost between $150 and $400 per pair, plus fitting fees. Because they are highly durable, a single pair can last 1 to 2 years with proper care.

Can you shower with RGP contacts?

No. You should never shower, swim, or expose any contact lenses (including RGPs) to tap water due to the high risk of severe fungal or Acanthamoeba corneal infections.

Can you still get gas permeable contact lenses?

Yes. Gas permeable lenses remain widely prescribed and offer exceptional visual sharpness, high oxygen breathability, and superior durability for complex prescriptions.

What are the downsides of wearing rigid gas permeable lenses?

The main downside is an initial adaptation period of 1 to 2 weeks where your eyes build tolerance to the lens edge. Debris can also easily get trapped underneath the lens.

Can keratoconus be cured?

Keratoconus cannot be cured, but its progression can be halted using Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL). Visual clarity is effectively restored using custom scleral or RGP specialty lenses.

What glasses do you get for astigmatism?

Astigmatism is corrected using cylindrical prescription lenses (toric alignment) that counteract the uneven oval curvature of your eye to focus light properly onto the retina.

Do you need special glasses if you have astigmatism?

You do not need special frames, but your lenses must feature custom cylindrical power and axis orientation calculated specifically for your degree of astigmatism.

What should you avoid if you have astigmatism?

Avoid rubbing your eyes (which worsens corneal distortion), buying non-prescription off-the-rack reading glasses, and skipping annual eye exams.

How much do custom prescription lenses cost?

Custom digital optical lenses generally range from $150 to $450 depending on index thickness, progressive designs, and high-definition digital surfacing.

Is it possible to get custom lenses for glasses?

Yes. Modern lenses are digitally surfaced to match your exact prescription, frame choice, and unique visual habits for maximum edge-to-edge clarity.

Can I bring my own frames to have lenses put in?

Yes. As long as your frames are in sound physical condition, our opticians can take precise optical measurements and cut custom prescription lenses to fit your frame.

Can contact lenses be customized?

Yes. Specialty contact lenses are fully customized down to the micron using digital corneal mapping to match the exact shape, slope, and prescription needs of your eyes.

What is the difference between daily, bi-weekly, and monthly contact lenses?

Daily disposables are worn once and thrown away, offering maximum hygiene and convenience. Bi-weekly and monthly lenses require daily cleaning, disinfected storage, and strict replacement schedules to prevent lipid buildup and inflammation.

Does vision insurance cover specialty contact lenses for keratoconus?

Many vision insurance plans classify scleral and RGP lenses for keratoconus as "Medically Necessary Contact Lenses," which can cover a significant portion or even the full cost of the fitting and lenses.

Eyewear & Contact Lenses FAQs