Eye Exams for Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing eyeglasses. Not all patients use contact lenses as their primary form of vision correction. Each patient has different needs, and some wear contact lenses only on weekends, special occasions, or for sports. Contact lenses provide flexibility to match your lifestyle.
If you choose contact lenses, proper fit and hygiene are essential. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam and measurements to determine the correct lens fit.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Regular eye exams help maintain eye health and detect early signs of disease. A comprehensive eye exam at Optique Family Vision Care will check the general health of your eyes as well as the quality of your vision. During this exam, the doctor determines your eyeglass prescription, but this alone is not sufficient for contact lenses. The doctor may also check for conditions that affect contact lens comfort.
Hard-to-Fit Contact Lens Patients
Even if another provider has told you that you can’t wear contact lenses, we may be able to help. Specialty contacts are available for patients with dry eyes, severe astigmatism, and more.
The Contact Lens Consultation
Contact lens technology continues to improve comfort and convenience. During your consultation, your doctor will review lifestyle and health factors that affect lens choice.
Options include daily or monthly disposables, as well as soft or rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses. If you have conditions such as astigmatism or dry eye, your doctor may recommend specific lens types or brands.
Discuss any interest in colored contact lenses during your consultation. If you are over 40 and have difficulty seeing small print, your doctor may recommend multifocal or monovision lenses.
Contact Lens Fitting
Contact lenses require a customized fit. Your eye doctor will need to take some measurements to properly fit your contact lenses. Poorly fitting lenses can cause discomfort, blurry vision, or eye damage. Here are some of the measurements your eye doctor will take for a contact lens fitting:
Corneal Curvature
To ensure proper fit, your doctor measures the curvature of your cornea. The doctor uses a keratometer to measure corneal curvature. If you have astigmatism, your doctor may fit you with a toric lens to improve your vision. In some cases, your doctor may use corneal topography for detailed mapping.
Pupil or Iris Size
Your doctor may measure your pupil or iris using a slit lamp or other tools. This measurement is important when considering rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses.
Tear Film Evaluation
One of the most common problems affecting contact lens wear is dry eyes. If lenses are not properly hydrated, they can cause dryness and irritation. If you have dry eye, your doctor will evaluate your tear film to determine if contacts are appropriate.
The doctor evaluates tear film using dye or test strips to measure moisture levels. If your tear film is weak, your doctor may recommend lenses that retain moisture better.
Contact Lens Trial and Prescription
After selecting lenses, your doctor may have you try them to confirm fit and comfort. The doctor or assistant inserts the lenses and evaluates fit and movement after 15–20 minutes. If the lenses fit well, your doctor will order them. Your doctor will provide instructions on inserting, removing, wearing, and storing your lenses.
Follow-up
Your doctor may schedule a follow-up to check lens fit and eye adjustment. We provide pediatric eye exams and can discuss whether contact lenses are appropriate for your child. If you experience discomfort or dryness, visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend a different lens, solution, or wearing schedule.
Contact us today to schedule your contact lens exam and fitting.