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. Some patients wear contact lenses only on weekends, for special occasions, or during sports. This flexibility allows patients to choose when and how they wear contact lenses.
If you choose contact lenses, they must fit properly, and you need to follow proper safety and hygiene practices. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam, prescription check, and measurements to ensure proper lens fit.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Regular eye exams help monitor eye health and detect early signs of eye conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Middletown & Settlers Walk Eye Care checks your eye health and vision quality. During this exam, the eye doctor will determine your prescription for eyeglasses. However, this prescription alone is not sufficient for contact lenses. The doctor may also check for any eye health issues that could interfere with the comfort and success of contact lens wear.
Hard-to-Fit Contact Lens Patients
Even if another provider has told you that you can’t wear contact lenses, we can help. Specialty contacts are available for patients with dry eyes, severe astigmatism, and more.
The Contact Lens Consultation
New contact lens technologies continue to improve comfort and convenience. During your consultation, your eye doctor will review your lifestyle and eye health to recommend the right lenses.
Options include daily or monthly disposables, as well as soft or rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses. If you have conditions like astigmatism or dry eye, your eye doctor will recommend the best lens type for your comfort and vision.
Let your eye doctor know if you are interested in colored contact lenses. If you are over 40 and have trouble seeing small print, your eye doctor may recommend multifocal or monovision lenses.
Contact Lens Fitting
One size does not fit all when it comes to contact lenses. Your eye doctor will need to take some measurements to fit your contact lenses properly. Contact lenses that do not fit properly could cause discomfort, blurry vision, or even damage the eye. Here are some of the measurements your eye doctor will take for a contact lens fitting:
Corneal Curvature
To ensure that the curve of the lens properly fits the curve of your eye, your doctor will measure the curvature of the cornea or front surface of the eye. Your doctor uses a keratometer to measure corneal curvature and determine the correct lens shape. If you have astigmatism, your doctor may fit a toric lens designed to match your eye shape. In some cases, your doctor may use corneal topography to map the surface of your eye in detail.
Pupil or Iris Size
Your eye doctor may measure the size of your pupil or your iris (the colored area of your eye) with an instrument called a biomicroscope or slit lamp, or manually with a ruler or card. This measurement is especially important if you are considering specialized lenses, such as gas permeable (GP) contacts.
Tear Film Evaluation
One of the most common problems affecting contact lens wear is dry eyes. If the lenses are not kept adequately hydrated and moist, they can become uncomfortable, and your eyes will feel dry, irritated, and itchy. If you have dry eye, your doctor will check that your tear film can support contact lens wear. Otherwise, contact lenses may not be a suitable option.
Your doctor evaluates your tear film using dye or test strips to measure moisture levels. If your tear film is weak, your eye doctor may recommend contact lenses that are more effective at maintaining moisture.
Contact Lens Trial and Prescription
After selecting a lens, your doctor may have you try it to confirm fit and comfort before ordering. The doctor or assistant will insert the lenses and check the fit, movement, and tear response after 15–20 minutes. If the lenses fit well, your eye doctor will order them for you. Your eye doctor will also provide instructions on inserting, removing, wearing, and storing your lenses.
Follow-up
Your eye doctor may request that you schedule a follow-up appointment to check that your contact lenses are fitting properly and that your eyes are adjusting properly. If you are experiencing discomfort or dryness in your eyes, you should visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. Your eye doctor may recommend a new lens, solution, or wearing schedule.
Contact us today to schedule your contact lens exam and fitting.