Process of Contact Lens Exams

Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing eyeglasses. It offers excellent focus and a broader field of view than glasses. If you are purchasing a new pair of contacts, the lenses must fit correctly and comfortably on your eyes’ curvature. It is also vital that you fully grasp contact lens safety and hygiene.

What to Expect During Contact Lens Exams

Switching from eyeglasses to contact lenses is a process best overseen by a highly trained eye care professional. This is to guarantee that an expert finds the best pair of contacts for you. Here’s how the process of contact lens exams works:

• Comprehensive Eye Exam. Contact lens exams begin with a thorough eye exam. Your eye doctor will review your health history and conduct a series of eye tests. This is to determine your prescription for corrective lenses and to check for any eye problems or other issues that may interfere with the success of your contact lens wear.

• Contact Lens Preferences. Your doctor will discuss with you your preferences and expectations. Do you want a pair of contacts that will enhance your eye color? Would you prefer disposable ones over overnight contact lenses? If you have a dry eye, specific contacts can help reduce discomfort from the said condition.

• Eye Surface Measurements. Each person’s eyes are different. While some people have steep corneas, others have shallow ones. Some have severe astigmatism, while others suffer only with mild astigmatism or none at all. Your eye doctor will take precise measurements of your eye surface and curvature, as well as the size of your pupil and iris. These analyses are necessary to ensure the proper fit of your lenses. If you are prone to dry eye syndrome, your eye doctor may also conduct a tear film evaluation. This procedure will determine if you produce sufficient tear film to support your contact lens wear. Should there be an issue, your doctor may prescribe specialty lenses that help keep your eyes hydrated.

• Contact Lens Fitting. After completing all the necessary measurements, your eye doctor will know what kind and shape of contact lenses you need. Most doctors will ask you to fit a trial pair of contact lenses to examine the movement and alignment of the lenses on your eyes. Once a good fit is guaranteed, and the optimal prescription is achieved, your doctor will likely have you wear the trial lenses for a week. Several follow-up visits to your doctor’s office are expected to confirm that the lenses are working well for you and that your eyes can tolerate contact lens wear. If you experience dryness in your eyes or any discomfort, your doctor may recommend a few things. These include trying a different lens material or disinfecting solution. You may also be asked to adjust your contact lens wearing schedule. In some instances, you may have to stop wearing contact lenses altogether.

Whether it’s your first time to wear contact lenses or not, you must get a thorough eye exam every year. This is to ensure that your eyes are showing no signs of damage from the contact lenses. Routine eye exams also help determine if you have new or existing vision problems. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today at Berris Optical in Rocky River, Ohio. Call us now at (440) 571-7100 to make an appointment.