Frequently asked questions

We have included some of the most frequently asked questions about contact lenses and your overall eye health below - or click the button below so we can help you find an answer to your question.

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Top Questions

Top questions

How old do I have to be to wear contact lenses?

Lots of teens and even some children wear contact lenses. Successful lens wear depends more on responsibility and attitude than age. Seeing an eye doctor will help you figure out whether contact lenses are right for you.

Are contact lenses comfortable to wear?

We can't speak for the 45 million people that wear contact lenses in the United States, but in over 40 clinical trials against other contact lenses, ACUVUE® contact lenses have never been beaten in comfort+.

+Clinical trial results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, a website maintained by the NIH, were reviewed as of April 30, 2023. The 46 clinical trials evaluated subjective comfort as a primary or secondary endpoint for the ACUVUE® OASYS Brand family (including daily disposable families), the 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST Brand family (within the category of hydrogel daily disposable), and the ACUVUE® VITA® Brand family, vs. competitors’ products.

Can contact lenses get lost behind my eye?

No, they cannot. A membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelid so there’s no chance that a contact lens can go behind your eye.

Can contact lenses get stuck to my eye?

This is very unlikely. Contact lenses can usually be removed easily using the method your eye doctor recommended. All it takes is practice and patience.

Can contact lenses pop out of your eye?

Not likely. With proper fitting, contacts should stay in place almost all the time. Even on that rare occasion when a contact lens moves out of place, it usually stays on your eye until you can move it back.

Can contact lenses scratch your eye?

Such contact lens related problems can occur but they are rare when they are fit and prescribed by a qualified eye care professional. Proper care, handling and replacement of the prescribed lenses can help reduce the chances of complications.

Contact Lens Prescriptions

Contact lens prescriptions

Why do I need a prescription for contact lenses?

A contact lens is legally considered a medical device, which is why you need a prescription. Only a qualified eye care professional can properly measure you for vision correction and determine which size and type of contact lens is best for you. Also, safely wearing contact lenses requires periodic monitoring of your eye health and vision needs. Typically, an annual examination is recommended for renewal of your contact lens prescription.

Is my contact lens prescription different than my eyeglass prescription?

Yes. A prescription for contact lenses requires different information than a prescription for eyeglasses. Along with the level of vision correction, a contact lens prescription will include a measurement of the base curve and diameter of your eyes. These are fitting specifications, and they can be brand- and material- specific.

How do I get a contact lens prescription?

Start by scheduling a contact lens appointment with an eye doctor. Your first contact lens fitting takes a little longer than a regular eye exam—about 90 minutes. Be sure to let the office know you want a contact lens fitting, not just a regular eye exam. Want to find an eye doctor near you who carries ACUVUE®? Find a nearby one here.

What is a base curve?

The base curve is the back curvature of a contact lens. It is used to determine the best and most comfortable natural fit to your eye.

What is diameter?

Diameter is the distance across the surface of your lens, from edge to edge. Your eye doctor will determine the correct diameter for you during your exam.

Are contact lenses more expensive than glasses?

Contacts can be surprisingly affordable. And with vision insurance, out-of-pocket costs may be even less. Plus, replacing a lost contact lens from your supply can feel easy compared to the hassle and unexpected cost of having to replace lost or damaged glasses.

Wear & Care

Wear and care

Is it difficult to take care of contact lenses?

Advances in technology have made contact lenses even more convenient than before. Caring for them is easy with multipurpose lens solutions that make cleaning, disinfecting and storing your contacts simpler and more effective. For the most convenient way to wear contacts, consider daily disposable contact lenses (such as ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day).

Can I continue using my glasses if I start wearing contact lenses?

Of course. You can still wear contacts or glasses, alternating for specific activities, needs or preference. However, even if you choose to wear contact lenses full-time, it's recommended that you have a pair of glasses in your current prescription just in case.

I don't need glasses all the time. Why should I wear contact lenses?

Even if you only wear glasses part-time, contact lenses can offer a convenient and easy alternative for certain activities like playing sports. Unlike glasses, in normal wearing conditions, contact lenses won't smudge, steam up, fall off or break.

Can I wear contacts while participating in sports or recreational activities?

Game on. Contacts offer crisp, clear, reliable vision—and you won’t have to worry about them fogging up, falling off or breaking during a game like glasses can. Remember that contact lenses should never be worn during water activities like swimming.

Are eye infections common when wearing contact lenses?

Contact lens-related health problems can occur, but they're rare. Infections are most commonly related to poor cleaning routines or other lens-care-related issues. If you follow your eye doctor's directions for proper wear and care, you should be fine.

Products

Products

What’s the difference between daily disposable and frequent replacement lenses?

Daily Disposable contact lenses are used for one day and then thrown away. They typically do not involve the use of lens solution.

Frequent Replacement lenses are reused for two weeks to one month (depending on the lens and your eye doctor’s recommendation) and require cleaning and disinfection every day.

Extended wear means the contact lenses are approved for overnight wear of up to six nights/seven days (based on your eye doctor's recommendation and under strict supervision). Some lenses are approved for even longer wear periods, but we believe that a shorter wear cycle and more frequent replacement of the contact lens is safer and more comfortable.

What’s the difference between Toric and astigmatism contact lenses?

They are actually the same. Toric lenses specifically correct for astigmatism.

What is hydrogel?

Hydrogel is a soft, water-holding polymer plastic used to make contact lenses.

What is a silicone hydrogel?

Silicone hydrogel is a soft contact lens material that generally allows more oxygen to pass through the lens.

What does Dk and Dk/t mean?

Dk, or oxygen permeability, is the rate that oxygen can flow through a contact lens material. Dk/t or oxygen transmissibility, determines how much oxygen gets through a lens of a particular thickness.

Did ACUVUE® update its packaging?

Yes - you may have noticed changes to the foil and external packaging of our ACUVUE® contact lens products. We want to assure you that these changes are cosmetic only, and there were no changes made to the packaging materials, packing solution, or contact lenses. For more information, please visit https://www.acuvue.com/en-us/packagingupdate/ or checkout this PDF.

Do ACUVUE contact lenses contain PFAS?

Johnson & Johnson Vision does not use PFAS ingredients in our ACUVUE soft contact lenses.

Eye Health

Eye health

I've been told I have astigmatism. Can I still wear contact lenses?

Yes. Astigmatism is no longer a barrier to wearing contact lenses. ACUVUE® offers several contact lenses that correct for astigmatism: ACUVUE® OASYS 1-DAY for ASTIGMATISM, ACUVUE® OASYS 2-WEEK for ASTIGMATISM, 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST for ASTIGMATISM, and ACUVUE® VITA® for ASTIGMATISM.

Can I wear contact lenses if I’ve had cataract surgery?

Only your eye doctor can tell for certain. If your eye doctor feels that contacts are still an option, we believe that ACUVUE® is an excellent choice.

If I’ve had LASIK or another refractive surgery, can I still wear contact lenses?

Only your eye doctor can tell for certain. LASIK surgery permanently alters the shape of your eye, but doesn’t prevent the development of presbyopia, so you may still need vision correction at some point. If your eye doctor feels that contacts are still an option, we believe that ACUVUE® is an excellent choice.

How do allergies affect contact lenses?

The eye's response to allergens like pollen and dander can make contact lenses more difficult to wear. Allergens may accumulate on the contact lens causing additional discomfort. We recommend daily disposable lenses like ACUVUE® OASYS MAX or ACUVUE® MOIST which are fresh and clean every day.

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Contact us for any other questions you might have.

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Footnotes

*Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included.

‖Reward amount dependent on ACUVUE product and quantity purchased and if you are a new wearer. Must get an eye exam and purchase from participating provider. Original receipt required. Valid thru 12/31/23.
Rewards paid in the form of an ACUVUE brand Prepaid Mastercard. Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Your use of the prepaid card is governed by the Cardholder Agreement, and some fees may apply. This is not a gift card. Please note that prepaid cards are subject to expiration, so pay close attention to the expiration date of the card.

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guides.

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ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS, 1-DAY ACUVUE® TruEye®, 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST, 1-DAY ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® ADVANCE, ACUVUE® 2, HYDRACLEAR®, LACREON®, BLINK STABILIZED® DESIGN and PUPIL OPTIMIZED DESIGN are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

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