If you’re someone who wears eyeglasses and is thinking about switching to contact lenses, you may wonder if you can use your glasses prescription for contacts. Many people assume that the prescription will be the same, but this is not the case. Understanding the difference between eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions can help you get the best vision care possible.
Glasses vs. contact lens prescriptions: what’s the difference?
Eyeglasses and contact lenses have the same purpose: to correct your vision. However, they do it in slightly different ways. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, while eyeglasses sit about 14–24 millimeters away from your eyes. Because of these differences, you can’t use the same prescription for both eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Different measurements
One of the main differences between eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions is how the measurements are taken. When you get a prescription for eyeglasses, it includes measurements for the distance between your pupils and the distance from your eye to the lens.
In comparison, contact lenses require extra measurements for the size and curvature of the lenses. Contact lenses sit directly on your eye, so they must fit precisely to correct your vision safely and comfortably.
Lens strength
Another key difference between eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions is the strength of the lenses. Glasses sit slightly away from your eyes, which means the lens strength depends on the distance between the lens and your eye. When wearing contact lenses, the lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, so the lens strength has to be adjusted accordingly.
See clearly with the right prescription
If you’re looking to purchase new eyeglasses or contact lenses, you will need to visit an eye doctor for an eye exam. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may need separate prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. It’s essential to follow your eye doctor’s instructions to ensure clear, healthy vision.
At Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main, we offer both comprehensive eye exams and contact lens exams and can provide you with the correct prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Schedule an appointment today and let us help you improve your vision.
