Knoxville Tennessee Optometry
At Karns Vision Center, we understand that glasses aren’t always the preferred vision correction for everyone. We love choices, and having the option to rock contacts is a choice you can make with us.
Whether you crave the freedom of an active lifestyle, the convenience of ditching your specs for a night out, or simply prefer the look and feel of contact lenses, we’re here to help. We offer comprehensive contact lens exams, fittings, and specialty lenses to address your visual needs.
Specialty contacts like scleral lenses can be a good option if issues like dry eye and keratoconus have prevented you from comfortably wearing lenses. Finding contact lenses that provide clear, comfortable vision is crucial—contact us to schedule your appointment today.
Before prescribing your contact lenses, our team will guide you through a fitting process. We perform various measurements and tests during your fitting to find the right lens type and fit for you. We also review how to insert, remove, and care for your contacts.
Our goal with a contact lens fitting is to help you feel comfortable and confident with your new contact lenses.
Our contact lens fittings implement different technologies and tools so that you can enjoy a comfortable and safe fit with your new lenses:
If glasses don’t align with your lifestyle or aesthetic preferences, contact lenses can offer an excellent alternative. Whether you enjoy sports, outdoor activities, or simply prefer the freedom from glasses, contact lenses provide a flexible solution. At Karns Vision Center, we offer a variety of contact lenses including soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, and even specialty lenses like scleral lenses, tailored to meet your unique eye care needs.
Our eye doctors in Knoxville, TN are experienced in helping patients wear contact lenses comfortably, offering detailed measurements and consultations to ensure the best fit. With the right contact lens prescription, you can enjoy excellent vision without the restrictions of traditional eyewear.
The process of getting new contact lenses starts with a detailed contact lens exam and fitting. During your exam, we perform comprehensive tests to assess your eye health and visual acuity. We take precise measurements to ensure the right lens fit, whether you’re considering soft contact lenses, RGP lenses, or specialty contacts like scleral lenses. Our team will walk you through the fitting process, making sure you feel confident wearing your contact lenses every day.
We use cutting-edge technology, such as Topcon CA-800 Corneal Topography and Anterior Segment OCT, to ensure the most accurate measurements and the perfect fit for your contact lenses. Our goal is to provide you with comfortable lenses that improve your visual performance and enhance your eye health.
Just like your glasses, contact lenses correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism.
Whether you prioritize comfort, crisp vision correction, or a combination of both, we have the perfect lens for you:
We also offer various specialty contacts, like scleral lenses, to manage eye conditions like dry eye and keratoconus.
Scleral lenses are RGP lenses that sit on the sclera (white of your eyes), unlike traditional contacts that rest directly on your cornea.
Scleral contacts can be an excellent option for patients with trouble wearing contacts due to eye conditions like dry eye and keratoconus. They are wider than traditional lenses, vaulting over the cornea to create a fluid reservoir. Sclerals provide extra breathability, comfort, and hydration.
Orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k, is a non-surgical procedure where specialty contact lenses are used to reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear vision during the day.
Ortho-k contact lenses are customized to meet your child’s specific needs. They gently and gradually reshape the cornea, correcting your child’s vision. Our team will use a topographer to map the entire cornea, designing custom lenses for your kids.
These lenses provide sharper vision, particularly at night, by correcting higher-order aberrations that can cause halos or glare. They are ideal for those who experience nighttime driving difficulties.
Toric lenses help address astigmatism and can deliver clear vision at all distances without the blurriness or distortions associated with untreated astigmatism.
Like bifocal or trifocal glasses, multifocal lenses allow you to see clearly at near, far, and intermediate distances, providing a seamless vision experience.
Hybrid lenses combine a soft lens’s comfort with an RGP lens’s crisp vision. They are ideal for patients with specific needs or those who have had trouble with traditional lens types.
Fittings starting at $500
Dr. Kate specializes in scleral lens fittings and is recognized by local ophthalmologists for her expertise in treating patients with keratoconus and other complex vision needs. We have two local ophthalmologists who regularly refer their patients to Dr. Kate for scleral lens fittings.
Why Choose Karns Vision for Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses can be life-changing for patients who have struggled with traditional contact lenses due to dry eye, keratoconus, or other corneal irregularities. Dr. Kate’s specialized training and experience ensure you receive expert care throughout the fitting process.
Many vision insurance plans provide contact lens benefits. Our team will review your coverage and help you maximize your benefits for both the fitting fee and contact lens purchases.
A contact lens fitting is an essential part of getting new lenses. It involves a series of tests to ensure the lenses fit properly, providing clear vision and comfort. During the fitting, your eye doctor will measure your cornea, assess your tear film, and determine which type of lens, whether soft contacts, RGP lenses, or specialty lenses like scleral lenses, works best for your eyes.
It’s important to have a contact lens exam annually, even if you’re wearing the same prescription. Regular exams ensure that your lenses still fit properly, your vision remains clear, and your eye health is maintained. An eye exam also helps detect any potential issues like dry eye, which may require adjustments to your lenses.
There are several types of contact lenses available, including:
Soft Contact Lenses: Comfortable and flexible, ideal for most people.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: Known for precise vision correction, especially for astigmatism.
Scleral Lenses: Large-diameter lenses designed for patients with irregular corneas or dry eye conditions.
Multifocal Lenses: Lenses that offer clear vision for both near and far distances.
Each lens type has its own benefits, and your eye doctor can help you choose the best one based on your lifestyle and visual needs.
Scleral lenses are a type of specialty contact lens that sit on the sclera (the white part of the eye) rather than directly on the cornea. They are ideal for individuals with conditions like keratoconus, severe dry eye, or corneal irregularities, providing a comfortable, stable fit and improving vision quality. Scleral lenses create a reservoir of tears over the cornea, which enhances comfort and moisture retention.
Adjustment time varies depending on the type of lenses and your previous experience with contacts. For soft lenses, most people adjust within a few hours to a few days. Rigid gas permeable lenses or specialty contacts like scleral lenses may take longer as they require a more precise fit. Our eye doctors will guide you through the fitting process and offer tips to ensure a smooth transition.
During your contact lens exam and fitting, our team will take the time to understand your preferences and answer all your questions about contact lenses. Our goal is to find the right lenses for your unique vision needs.
You can find us off Oak Ridge Hwy with plenty of parking available outside the clinic.
7686 Oak Ridge Highway Knoxville, TN 37931
Phone: 865-247-7715
Fax: 865-247-7716
Email: contactus@karnsvision.com
Monday
Tuesday
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Saturday
Sunday
9AM-6PM
9AM-6PM
8:30AM-5PM
8:30AM-5PM
7:30AM-4:30PM
9AM-12PM
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