Contact Lens Exams
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, for special occasions, or during sports. This flexibility allows contact lenses to fit a range of lifestyles.
If you choose contact lenses, proper fit and understanding lens safety and hygiene are essential. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam and measurements to determine the proper lens fit.
Why Eye Exams Matter for Contact Lenses
Regular eye exams help keep your eyes healthy and detect early signs of eye conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Oak Harbor Family Eyecare will check the general health of your eyes as well as the quality of your vision. During this exam, your doctor determines your eyeglass prescription, but this alone is not sufficient for contact lenses. The doctor also checks for conditions that could affect contact lens comfort and wear.
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.
What To Expect at Your Contact Lens Exam
The contact lens industry continues to improve comfort, convenience, and accessibility. An early step in your consultation is discussing lifestyle and health factors that affect your contact lens options.
Options include daily or monthly lenses, 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.
Tell your doctor if you’re interested in colored contact lenses. If you are over 40 and have trouble seeing small print, your doctor may recommend multifocal or monovision lenses.
Contact Lens Exam and Fitting
Contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all. Your eye doctor will need to take some measurements to properly fit your contact lenses. Contact lenses that do not fit properly 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 a proper fit, your doctor measures the curvature of your cornea. A keratometer measures this to determine the correct lens fit. If you have astigmatism, the curvature of your cornea is not perfectly round. Therefore, a “toric” lens, designed specifically for an eye with astigmatism, would be best suited to provide the best vision and lens fit. In some cases, your doctor may use corneal topography to map the surface in greater detail.
Pupil or Iris Size
Your eye doctor may measure your pupil or iris using a slit lamp or manual tools. This measurement is especially important for 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 lenses are not properly hydrated, they can cause dryness, irritation, and itching. Particularly if you have dry eye syndrome, your doctor will want to ensure you have a sufficient tear film to keep the lenses moist and comfortable; otherwise, contact lenses may not be a suitable vision option.
The doctor performs a tear film evaluation using dye or a paper 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 lenses, your doctor may have you try them to confirm fit and comfort before ordering. The doctor or assistant inserts the lenses and keeps them in for 15–20 minutes before examining fit, movement, and tear response. If the lenses fit well, your doctor will order them for you. Your Oak Harbor eye doctor will provide care and hygiene instructions, including how to insert, remove, wear, and store your lenses.
Follow-up Eye Care
Your eye doctor may schedule a follow-up to check the fit of your lenses and how your eyes are adjusting. If you are experiencing discomfort or dryness in your eyes, visit your 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.