Contact Lens Exams

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, with some wearing contact lenses only on weekends, 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 safe hygiene practices are essential. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam to check your overall eye health, a vision prescription check, and measurements to determine proper lens fit.

Regular eye exams help maintain eye health and detect early signs of developing conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Miamisburg Vision Care 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 eyeglass prescription; 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 may have options for you. Specialty contacts are available for patients with dry eyes, severe astigmatism, and more.

The contact lens industry continues to improve comfort, convenience, and accessibility. Therefore, one of the initial steps in a contact lens consultation is to discuss with your eye doctor some lifestyle and health considerations that could impact the type of contacts that suit you best.

Some options to consider include whether you prefer daily disposables or monthly disposable lenses, as well as soft versus rigid gas-permeable (GP) lenses. If you have conditions such as astigmatism or dry eye, your eye doctor may recommend specific lens types or brands for better comfort and vision.

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 eye doctor may recommend multifocal or monovision lenses.

Contact lenses require a personalized fit. Your eye doctor will need to take some measurements to fit your contact lenses properly. 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 match the lens to your eye, your doctor will measure the curvature of the cornea. Your doctor uses a keratometer to measure corneal curvature and determine the right lens fit. If you have astigmatism, your doctor may fit a toric lens designed to provide clear, stable vision. In certain cases, your eye doctor may measure your cornea in greater detail using corneal topography.

Pupil or Iris Size

Your eye doctor may measure your pupil or iris size using a biomicroscope, slit lamp, or manual tools. 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, they can become uncomfortable, and your eyes may feel dry, irritated, and itchy. If you have dry eye syndrome, your doctor will assess your tear film to determine if contact lenses are a suitable option.

Your doctor evaluates tear film by applying a dye and examining your tears with a slit lamp or using a strip test to measure moisture. 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 suitable lens, your doctor may have you try them to confirm fit and comfort before ordering. The doctor or assistant will insert the lenses and leave them in for 15 to 20 minutes before examining the fit, movement, and tear response. If the lenses fit well, your eye doctor will order them for you. Your Miamisburg 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 if needed.

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 decide to try a different lens, a different contact lens disinfecting solution, or an adjustment to your wearing schedule.

Contact us today to schedule your contact lens exam and fitting.