While they’re often thought to be similar, glasses and contact lenses have different requirements and can’t use the same eye prescription. If you own glasses and are looking to upgrade to contact lenses, it’s vital to visit your eye doctor to get properly measured for a new prescription. To this end, Dr. Thomas Deluca Dr. Anthony Marciano & Associates PC, the leading optical care professionals in Prospect, CT, share a short guide about the differences in eye prescriptions to help you explore your options. 

Are Eye Prescriptions the Same?

In many cases, the answer is no. Contacts rest directly on the eye, while glasses are positioned about 12mm away. As a result, the details of a prescription will change based on the distance.

What Are Diopters?

Eyeglass prescriptions use diopters, which is the measurement of your glasses’ refractive abilities. For instance, if you are nearsighted (meaning you can see up close but not far away), your doctor will increase the diopter measurement to ensure your vision is as good as it can be.

How Do Contact Lenses Differ? 

In contrast, contact lenses include a lot more information than a typical eyeglass prescription. While diopter measurements do play a role, there are other considerations as well.

For instance, the base curve of your eye will need to be measured, as well as the diameter (which is the distance from one edge of a contact lens to the other). The diameter establishes where a contact should rest on your eye, which is an important component of vision correction and comfort. Other measurements include the cylinder and axis (both of which can help remedy astigmatism).

From eye exams to contact lens fittings, Dr. Thomas Deluca Dr. Anthony Marciano & Associates PC are well-known in the Prospect area for their kind and knowledgeable eye care services. Schedule your appointment today by calling (203) 758-4447. You can also visit the website to learn more about the different eye care services currently available.