Dr. Quan Contact lenses (CLs) fitting and orders
Please note: our doctors of optometry do not directly sell or dispense contact lenses at our locations.
To buy contact lenses, you will need to see a licensed contact lenses fitter at the Optical. The contact lenses certified fitter (optician) will be able to properly assess, convert the doctor's RX to a contact lenses RX, properly fit, train patients on proper CLs care, and recommend proper contact lenses based on your visual needs and prescription.
1. Why do I need a contact lenses fit?
As with glasses dispensing, your visual needs, your eye prescription, your eye health, the shape of your eyes, and your occupation will determine the brand, type, size, RX, and other parameters of the contact lenses that you need.
Eye care professionals need to measure the shape of your eyes, and see how the contact lenses sit on your eyes, how they interact with your eyes and tear film, how your eyelids interact with the contact lenses, how the contact lenses rotate when you blink, how your vision changes with each blink, how the contact lenses settle over time, etc.
For example, for astigmatism patients or patients requiring bifocal or multifocal/progressive contact lenses, it is even more important that the contact lenses are fitted properly, and rotate and move properly when blinking. If not, vision and eye health can be compromised.
Not all patients can or should wear contact lenses, and not all patients can wear the same brand or size of contact lenses. Properly fitted contact lenses will give you the best vision possible, and reduce the risks of inflammation, infection, and other potential complications.
FDA: Contact Lenses
Health Canada: Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Spectrum
2. Is contact lenses RX the same as glasses RX?
No. The contact lenses sit closer to your eyes, and the power usually needs to be recalculated. The shape of your eyes, the amount of astigmatism, how the contact lenses sit, your eyelids and tear film interaction, the way you blink, and how the contact lenses rotate when you blink can all change the final RX or parameters of the contact lenses that will fit you at that moment.
3. At a much later date, can I order the same contact lenses RX as before without having a proper follow up with the contact lenses fitter?
No. First, your eye prescription may have changed. Second, as with anything that you wear, from clothes to shoes, the exact same items may not fit you properly later — it is the same with contact lenses. Your tear film may have changed, your eyelids may have changed (thicker, thinner, or may have more pull on the contact lenses), and your eye health may be different and may not be indicated for contact lens wear anymore. The contact lenses may have also started rotating more, etc.
The exact same brand and parameters of contact lenses that fit you before may not fit you properly anymore after 1-2 years. Manufacturers can also change the design of the contact lenses or the composition of the plastic, even if the brand and numbers seem to stay the same as before. Separate countries may also have slightly different contact lenses, with different plastic and designs, even if the brand name on the box is the same.
4. Can I order contact lenses online from an online site?
Only Alberta licensed opticals or doctors of optometry can sell and dispense contact lenses in Alberta. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices. Alberta eye care professionals are trained and licensed to make sure that you receive the proper standard of care, and they are responsible for your eye care.
Out-of-province or out-of-country online sites that sell contact lenses may not be properly licensed, and may not follow all the standards of care or legal requirements that your eyes need, such as proper fitting and dispensing.
Please see your eye care professional for medical advice and care specific to your case. This page and this website do NOT constitute or represent medical or legal advice. It does NOT represent the opinion of the clinic, the company, the doctors, the opticians, or the optical.
Have more questions?
Call us at 1-888-381-2677 or email info@drquan.ca
Book an AppointmentFax: 1-888-310-0029