DC · MD · VACall Now
Contact Lenses

Contacts that are comfortable and match your specific needs.

The right contacts start with a comprehensive exam. Our in-house optometrists carefully check your prescription, tear film, and cornea, and match you to a lens that holds up through screen work, workouts, and DMV humidity.

Call for an appointmentWhat the exam covers →
Dr. Gail Robinson in the exam room where contact lens fittings take place.
From our patients
Dr. Robinson went well above and beyond for an out-of-town family in need of contact lenses for their daughter. If you’re looking for a fantastic optician with the most helpful staff in the DC area, you need look no further.
Doug C.Connecticut Avenue
Best of Bethesda award
Best place to buy eyeglassesEvery year since 2018!
8Neighborhood locations
53Years serving the DMV
35+High-end designs
The Voorthuis exam advantage

The fit is right the first time.

Chain-store fittings are quick by design: fifteen minutes, a handful of brands, a handoff. We do the harder work that turns a prescription into contacts you want to wear because they work and feel good.

i.

Decades of contact-lens experience

Our optometrists fit contacts for Washington-area families every day, and that depth of experience means fewer trial-and-error cycles for you.

ii.

A real evaluation, not a handoff

Every exam includes a full look at corneal curvature, tear film quality, and ocular surface health. The measurements a lens actually needs.

iii.

An optometrist on site, not just a technician

Your fitting, follow-ups, and urgent lens questions all go straight to an optometrist. Be confident you're getting the best advice.

iv.

Every major contact lens brand

We fit the full range of major brands (Acuvue, CooperVision, Bausch + Lomb, Alcon), plus certain specialty lenses when your eyes need them.

Contact lens types

A modality for every prescription and every day.

Daily disposables, monthlies, toric for astigmatism, multifocal for presbyopia, RGP for keratoconus, and myopia management for growing eyes. Here is what each is built for.

01.

Soft daily disposable

A fresh pair every morning, discarded each night. No cleaning, no case, lowest infection risk. The starting point we recommend for most first-time wearers and allergy sufferers.

02.

Soft monthly

One pair worn for thirty days with a nightly cleaning routine. Lower per-day cost than dailies, suitable for full-time wearers comfortable with a care regimen.

03.

Toric (for astigmatism)

Weighted to stay oriented on an unevenly curved cornea (astigmatism) for sharp, stable vision instead of the smear a standard lens leaves. Available in daily, bi-weekly, and monthly.

04.

Multifocal & progressive

Near, far, and intermediate in a single lens, much like progressives do for glasses, so most patients over 40 can leave the readers behind. Multifocal toric covers combined presbyopia and astigmatism.

05.

RGP & hard lenses

Rigid lenses hold their shape on the eye, giving crisper vision than soft for high astigmatism and keratoconus (a cornea that bulges into a cone). Sharper sight in exchange for a longer adjustment period.

06.

Children's contacts

Daily disposables for children mature enough to follow care instructions, typically ages ten and up. We give younger patients extra training time to build confidence with insertion and removal.

07.

Myopia management

Myopia management lenses are recommended when appropriate to slow or stop the progression of a child's nearsighted prescription.

08.

Backup & sport pairs

A box of dailies for travel, swim training, or workouts, alongside everyday glasses. Many patients wear both, switching as the day demands.

A complete guide

What a contact lens exam adds to your eye exam.

A contact lens exam covers everything a comprehensive eye exam does, then adds the measurements a lens worn directly on your eye needs.

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Contact lens diagnostic equipment beside stacked trial-lens boxes in a Voorthuis exam room

A lens sits on the eye, so we measure the eye

A comprehensive eye exam checks your vision and eye health and lands on your glasses prescription. A contact lens exam adds the measurements a lens that rides directly on your cornea actually needs.

Keratometry maps your cornea's curvature, when needed, to set the correct base curve and diameter. A tear film evaluation confirms your eyes stay moist enough for comfortable all-day wear. Slit lamp evaluation of the contact on your cornea determines if the lens is centered and moving well with your blink. Skip these steps, and you get a lens that blurs on every blink or dries out by lunch.

Nervous about touching your eye? Almost everyone is, the first time. Our staff teaches insertion and removal in the office, step by step. Most new wearers are doing it on their own within about thirty minutes of practice. Daily disposables make the easiest starting point, because there is no cleaning routine to learn.
A patient story

A difficult prescription, finally gotten right.

Karen had cycled through opticians and eye doctors for years carrying what she calls "a very difficult prescription," the kind that some practices quietly round off and hope you will not notice. At our Foxhall Square store in DC, Dr. Voorthuis took the opposite approach: she gave Karen "in-depth advice and options regarding my contact lenses," walking through the trade-offs rather than handing over the first box on the shelf.

The fit held. "Voorthuis has always gotten it right," Karen wrote, "over the many years I've been going there." She came back for the frames too: "excellent selection, and superb help in picking ones that suit you."

Karen M. · Foxhall Square, Washington DC

Daily vs. two-week or monthly contacts

Which modality is right for you?

What to weighDaily disposableTwo-week or monthly
Cleaning routineNone: new pair each morningNightly rub, rinse, and store
Infection riskLowest: sterile lens every dayLow when handled correctly
Dry eyes & allergiesBest: no day-to-day deposit buildupDeposits can accumulate over the wear cycle
Travel & sportGrab a strip, no case or solutionCarry the full care kit
Annual lens costTypically $500-$800Typically $200-$400
Best forMost wearers, allergy & dry-eye sufferers, part-time wearFull-time wearers comfortable with a care routine

For most patients we lead with daily disposables: the healthiest, lowest-maintenance option. We reach for two-week or monthly lenses when budget or full-time wear makes them the better fit. Your optometrist makes the call with you at the fitting, not from a price list. Prefer glasses most days? See our prescription lens options and our designer eyewear collection.

What to expect

Inside a contact lens exam.

What happens when you come in, step by step. You leave with lenses dialed in for your eyes and your day.

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  1. 01

    Comprehensive eye health evaluation

    Our optometrist examines the front surface of your eye under a slit lamp (the microscope we view your cornea through) and screens for dry eye and any condition that affects lens wear. This happens before any measurements.

  2. 02

    Corneal measurements & tear film assessment

    Keratometry maps the curvature of your cornea to set the correct base curve and lens diameter. That measurement is the difference between a lens that sits comfortably and one that slides. A tear film check confirms your eyes make enough moisture for all-day wear.

  3. 03

    Prescription & lifestyle conversation

    Your contact lens prescription differs from your glasses prescription, because the lens sits right on the eye rather than an inch in front of it. We refine the power, then talk through screen time, sports, and commuting to match the lens type to your day, while also managing your expectations.

  4. 04

    Trial lens & on-eye evaluation

    You wear a trial pair in-office for fifteen minutes while the optometrist evaluates fit, centration, and movement under the slit lamp. If the first pair is not ideal, we try alternatives until the fit is right.

  5. 05

    Insertion training & follow-up

    For first-time wearers, our staff walks you through inserting, removing, and caring for your lenses until you feel confident in the office. A week or two later you return so the optometrist can confirm corneal health and comfort before your supply is ordered.

Cost & insurance

What it costs, and why.

Voorthuis does not bill vision insurance panels, and we are direct about why. Those panels set short windows and steer toward a limited approved list. Stepping outside them is what lets our optometrists give you a thorough exam and recommend the lens that actually fits your eye - not the one a plan happens to cover.

Lens supply costs vary by modality and brand: daily disposables generally run $500 to $800 per year, monthlies $200 to $400, and specialty lenses are priced individually by design. Your optometrist walks through the options and pricing during your exam, so there are no surprises at checkout. For the bigger picture, see why we skip vision insurance in the first place.

We accept FSA and HSA for the exam, take all major credit cards, and provide a fully itemized invoice you can submit to your plan for out-of-network reimbursement.

In their own words

What patients say about their contacts.

I have been going for years to get my eyes checked routinely. I have astigmatism and need lenses to drive, and I now have great-quality contact lenses that I am very happy with.
Christopher G. · Westbard Square
I forgot my contacts at home while on vacation and needed emergency care. Voorthuis helped me right away, which let me safely make the long drive home. Grateful for the compassionate care.
Stacey L. · Foxhall Square
Dr. Figler was terrific - the best I have been to in the area. He is thorough, patient, and knowledgeable, and I can see so much better with my new contacts.
Jayne G. · Old Town Alexandria
Frequently asked

Contact lens questions, plainly answered.

How long does a contact lens fitting take?
A contact lens fitting at Voorthuis takes 45 minutes for a thorough evaluation including corneal measurements, trial lens testing, and care training for new wearers. The follow-up visit one to two weeks later runs about 20 minutes.
Is a contact lens exam different from a regular eye exam?
Yes. A standard eye exam checks vision and eye health but does not measure the dimensions needed to fit contact lenses. A contact lens exam adds corneal curvature mapping, tear film evaluation, and a trial lens fitting on the eye.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes. Toric contact lenses correct astigmatism and come in daily, bi-weekly, and monthly modalities. Modern toric designs work well for mild to moderate astigmatism, and our optometrists fit them during a standard contact lens appointment.
Are daily disposable contacts worth the cost?
For many wearers, yes. Dailies eliminate cleaning solution, lens cases, and overnight bacterial accumulation. They are the healthiest modality and the most convenient. The annual cost difference between dailies and monthlies is typically $300 to $500, but when taking into account rebates on annual supplies and the cost of solution, the price difference is less.
I am over 40 and need reading glasses. Can I still wear contacts?
Yes, there's no issue with wearing reading glasses with contacts. Alternatively, multifocal contact lenses correct distance and near vision in a single lens, replacing reading glasses in some situations. A monovision contact lens fitting can also decrease the dependency on reading glasses while wearing contacts. Multifocal toric options exist if you also have astigmatism.
How do I know if my contact lenses fit properly?
A well-fitted lens is virtually undetectable after the first few minutes. You should not feel a constant edge sensation, see intermittent blur on blinking, or notice the lens shifting when you look to the side. If any of these occur, the lens needs a base curve or diameter adjustment.
Can my child wear contact lenses?
Children as young as 8 to 10 wear contact lenses successfully when they are mature enough to follow care instructions. Daily disposables are often recommended for younger wearers because they remove the cleaning routine entirely.
Does Voorthuis accept vision insurance?
No. We do not bill vision insurance. That decision lets our optometrists spend 45 minutes on a thorough fitting and recommend from the full lens market rather than an insurance-approved list. We provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement and accept FSA and HSA.
What contact lens brands does Voorthuis fit?
We fit Acuvue, CooperVision (Biofinity, MyDay, Clariti), Alcon (Dailies Total1, Air Optix), Bausch + Lomb (Ultra, Biotrue ONEday), SynergEyes hybrid lenses, custom RGP designs, and many more. The recommendation is based on your prescription and corneal measurements, drawn from the full lens market.
How often do I need a contact lens check-up?
Annually. Every wearer needs a yearly contact lens exam to renew the prescription, check corneal health, and confirm the current lens is still the right choice. Replacement schedules differ by lens type: dailies are discarded after each use, bi-weekly every 14 days, and monthly every 30 days.
Can you help if I am struggling to insert or remove my contact lenses?
Our optometrists can help you if you are having trouble with insertion and removal (I and R). If you have been fit by us already, please call the office for an appointment for an I and R refresher. If you are new to our practice, please schedule a new patient contact lens exam, and our doctors will work with you to make sure you are comfortable with the insertion and removal process.
Our Services

Meticulous attention for every vision need.

A 45-minute appointment.

Eye Exams →

Comprehensive, unhurried exams with an on-site optometrist - the time your eyes actually need.

Fitted by hand.

Prescription Lenses →

Progressive, single vision, computer, and specialty lenses - measured, selected, and verified by an experienced optician.

Fitted to your eyes.

Contact Lenses

Soft, hard, multifocal, and toric contact lens fittings. Trial lenses, insertion training, and follow-up included.

Designer & prescription.

Sunglasses →

Maui Jim, Oliver Peoples, Robert Marc, Brunello Cucinelli and more - in clear, polarized, photochromic, and prescription.

Specialty care, not just drops.

Dry Eyes Treatment →

Doctor-led tear-film evaluation, meibomian gland assessment, prescription therapy, IPL, and RF treatments - built around a real diagnosis.

Walk-in repair & care.

Repair & Adjustments →

Eyeglass repair, free lifetime adjustments on Voorthuis frames, screw and nose pad replacement, and ultrasonic cleaning - usually while you wait.

DC · MD · VA

Find your Voorthuis.

Call your nearest Voorthuis to book a contact lens exam with an on-site optometrist.

Foxhall Square
3301 New Mexico Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 363-5087Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Connecticut Avenue
1035 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-9455Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Old Town Alexandria
530 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-3822Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Wildwood
10231 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 530-6266Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Bradley
6912 Arlington Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 718-9300Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Montgomery Mall
7101 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 469-9058Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Chevy Chase
5454 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 656-2453Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →
Westbard Square
5372 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 652-6490Hours & directions →View on Google Maps →