Tools and Utilities

There are many hundred types of contact lens materials and designs available to the contact lens practitioner. Manufacturers of these lenses usually specify criteria for fitting their lenses based on the metrics of the patients' corneae, the prescription and various other factors. Most practitioners also develop their own criteria and preferences based on experience and clinical judgement.With so many lens designs and fitting criteria, it is impossible to devise a generic algorithm that will calculate exact parameters for every patient and every lens type. However, it is possible to provide a useful starting point in most cases.The Contact Lens Tools originally formed part of the OptometricToolBoxandemploy algorithms originally devised by David Campbell-Burns for Cantor and Nissel. These algorithms have been shown to provide a useful starting point for fitting most patients. However, practitioners are expected to exercise their clinical judgement and apply the specific criteria recommended by lens manufacturers before ordering lenses.