FAQs

What's the difference between hard and soft contact lenses?
Soft contact lenses are manufactured from hydrophilic polymers (water-loving plastics). Varying from 38% to 71%, the water content is what makes soft contact lenses pliable. Hard contact lenses are not manufactured from hydrophilic plastics and therefore do not contain water. Although they can provide good ocular health, they are not as comfortable initially as soft lenses. 

What are planned replacement lenses?
Planned replacement is a complete program of contact lens vision care in which contact lenses are replaced at planned intervals throughout the year. The interval is decided by your eye care practitioner based on the lens chosen, and the patient's specific characteristics. Replacement cycles generally vary from one month to three months.

What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common visual distortion caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Approximately 45% of all patients requiring vision correction have astigmatism.

What is myopia?
Myopia is commonly referred to as nearsightedness. A myopic eye sees near objects very clearly within a certain range while distance vision appears blurry.

What is hyperopia?
Hyperopia is more commonly known as farsightedness. A hyperopic eye sees distant objects clearly while near objects appear blurry.

What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a visual condition which becomes apparent in middle age, in which the loss of elasticity of the eye causes difficulty or inability to focus sharply for near vision.

What is the difference between daily wear and flexible wear?
Daily wear lenses are worn during the day and must be removed at bedtime. Flexible wear lenses are thinner or have a higher water content, allowing more oxygen to pass to the eye. They can be worn continuously, even overnight, for up to seven days. Eligibility for flexible wear use is evaluated by an eye care professional. 

What is the difference between disposable lenses and planned replacement lenses?
Disposable lenses are meant to be worn once and thrown away while planned replacement lenses are worn for a prescribed period of time and replaced at regular intervals. 

What is the appropriate wearing schedule for me?
Your eye care professional will prescribe your wearing schedule based on the health of your cornea, your lifestyle, your preference and the type of lens you want to wear. 

Does Preference® come in high plus powers? 
Preference lenses are not available in high plus powers, however, our Hydrasoft® sphere lenses are. We manufacture Hydrasoft to a +20.00. To see if you are a candidate for this lens, consult your eye care professional.

I can't locate the doctor that last prescribed my CooperVision lenses. What do I do?
We suggest using our eye care professional referral system to locate an eye care professional near you that prescribes CooperVision lenses. 

My doctor prescribed Preference® as a monthly lens. You state that it is a quarterly product. Which is correct?
Preference lenses are recommended by CooperVision for quarterly replacement. However, eye care professionals have the flexibility to prescribe a shorter replacement schedule based upon the individual needs of each patient. For instance, if you have over-active tear ducts you may form protein deposits on your lenses more quickly than the average patient. If this is the case, a monthly replacement schedule might be right for you. We suggest talking with your doctor about your concerns. He/she can give you the best reasoning behind your prescribed replacement schedule. 

Can I order lenses from CooperVision or get a trial pair?
Due to the fact that contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, federal regulations prohibit CooperVision from selling or dispensing lenses to anyone other than a licensed eye care professional. We are unable to process any order for consumers. To obtain trial lenses or a prescription, you will need to see your eye care practitioner. They will be able to help you with your contact lens purchase and trial lens needs. 

Do you make Aphakic lenses in the planned replacement program?
Our Hydrasoft® Toric Options and Sphere Options lenses are aphakic lenses that offer a quarterly replacement program. We would suggest that you confer with the eye care professional who prescribed your lenses and inquire about switching to the Hydrasoft brand. 

I have a trial pair of your Preference® Torics. Since I've been wearing them things appear blurry and I can't read with "reading glasses" over the contacts. Will contacts be as good as my prescription glasses? I'm also questioning if the eye exam was really accurate.
When fit properly with contact lenses, your vision should be enhanced and reading with glasses is a common option. If you are having difficulty seeing through your lenses, you should contact your eye care professional immediately. Depending on your situation, there may be a few adjustments that need to be made and a new prescription ordered. As for an inaccurate eye exam, we suggest you talk to your eye care professional.

I had laser surgery and now I want to wear contacts. What should I do?
You should speak to an eye care practitioner about the feasibility of wearing contact lenses. He/she is the best person to advise you on glasses vs. contact lenses based on your individual needs. 

Is there a Natural Touch® toric?
CooperVision has no immediate plans to create a toric version of our Natural Touch line of lenses. 

I plan on asking for CooperVision toric lenses. Will I be charged for each lens while I'm trying them?
Doctors offices set the fees for the contact lenses that they sell. These fees are between the patient and the doctor only. Please be assured that CooperVision offers warrantee programs on our toric lenses. Please have your doctor contact us regarding our policies.

Can I get samples of lens solutions from CooperVision?
CooperVision does not manufacturer or sell contact lens solutions. 

I wear CooperVision lenses that are not listed on the site. I want to buy my lenses on line. Where can I buy my CooperVision lenses?
Because contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, federal regulations prohibit CooperVision from selling and dispensing lenses to anyone other than an approved eye care professional or distributor. To place an order for your lenses, you will need to see your eye care practitioner. He/she can then place an order for lenses or refer you to an alternate source.