Eye Exams for Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing eyeglasses. Not all patients wear contact lenses as their primary form of vision correction. Each patient is different, with some wearing contact lenses only on weekends, on special occasions, or for sports. This flexibility allows patients to choose how contact lenses fit into their lifestyle.
If you choose contact lenses, proper fit, comfort, and understanding safety and hygiene are essential. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam, vision prescription, and measurements to determine proper lens fit.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Even without vision problems, regular eye exams help ensure your eyes are healthy and free of developing conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna and Whitehall will check the general health of your eyes as well as the quality of your vision. 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 you've heard you cannot 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 Eye Exam & Consultation
Contact lens technology continues to improve comfort, convenience, and accessibility. One of the first steps in a contact lens consultation is discussing lifestyle and health factors that affect lens selection.
Options include daily or monthly lenses, as well as soft or rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses. If you have conditions like astigmatism or dry eye, your eye doctor may recommend specific lens types or brands.
Now is the time to tell your eye doctor if you would like to consider colored contact lenses as well. 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 an individualized fit. 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 proper fit, your eye doctor measures the curvature of your cornea, the front surface of the eye. A keratometer measures this curvature to determine the appropriate lens fit. If you have astigmatism, your cornea is not perfectly round, so your eye doctor may recommend a toric lens to provide clear vision and proper fit. In some cases, your doctor may use corneal topography to map the surface of your cornea in greater 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 will 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 comfortable lens wear. Otherwise, contact lenses may not be a suitable option.
Your doctor evaluates tear film by applying a dye or using a small strip to measure tear production. 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 inserts the lenses and leaves them in for 15–20 minutes before evaluating fit, movement, and tear response. If the lenses appear to be a good fit after the fitting, your eye doctor will order the lenses for you. Your eye doctor will also provide care and hygiene instructions, including how to insert and remove your lenses, how long to wear them, and how to store them.
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 different lens, solution, or wearing schedule.
Contact us today to schedule your contact lens exam and fitting.