Contact Lens Exam
What Makes a Contact Lens Exam Different
During a contact lens exam, we check how clearly you see and also measure the curve and size of your cornea. The cornea is the clear dome at the front of your eye, and every person's cornea is shaped a little differently. We use special instruments to map these details so your lenses sit properly on your eye.
We also evaluate your tear film to make sure your eyes produce enough moisture to keep contacts comfortable all day.
Eyeglasses sit about half an inch away from your eyes, but contact lenses rest directly on the cornea. Because of this difference in distance, the lens power needed to correct your vision changes. We calculate a separate prescription that accounts for the exact position of the lens on your eye.
Even if your eyeglass prescription has not changed, your contact lens prescription may need adjustment to keep your vision sharp.
A contact lens prescription lists your lens power along with the base curve, diameter, and brand name. The base curve describes how steeply the lens curves to match your cornea. The diameter measures how wide the lens is from edge to edge.
- Lens power corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- Base curve ensures the lens hugs your cornea without sliding around or feeling too tight
- Diameter affects how much of your cornea the lens covers
- Brand and material determine oxygen flow and comfort
For toric lenses, the prescription also lists cylinder and axis. For multifocal lenses, it includes an add power. Your prescription will also list the replacement schedule and expiration date.
Contact lens prescriptions typically expire after at least one year, and may be valid for up to two years depending on your eye health and state regulations. Regular exams let us check for signs of irritation, infection, or changes in your prescription before problems develop. Wearing contacts beyond your prescription expiration date may put your eye health at risk.
We may recommend more frequent visits if you have dry eyes, allergies, or other conditions that affect contact lens wear.
Who Should Schedule a Contact Lens Exam
If you are new to contact lenses, we will spend extra time explaining how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. Many people feel nervous about touching their eyes at first, but our team will guide you step by step until you feel confident. We will make sure you can handle your lenses safely before you leave the office.
First-time wearers often start with daily disposable lenses because they require less cleaning and are easier to manage.
Each brand and type of contact lens has a unique shape, material, and oxygen permeability. Even if your vision prescription stays the same, switching from one brand to another requires a new fitting. We need to verify that the new lens fits your cornea correctly and provides clear, comfortable vision throughout the day.
We will provide trial lenses so you can test the new brand before committing to a full supply.
Annual contact lens exams help us monitor your eye health and catch small problems before they become serious. Over time, protein deposits, reduced oxygen flow, or overwearing your lenses can damage the surface of your eye. Regular checkups ensure your lenses still fit well and your eyes remain healthy.
- We check for corneal swelling or blood vessel growth
- We look for signs of infection or allergic reactions
- We confirm your prescription still gives you the clearest vision
Astigmatism means your cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball, causing blurry or distorted vision. Toric lenses correct astigmatism with a special design that must stay in the right position on your eye. We take precise measurements to find the correct lens axis and make sure the lens does not rotate as you blink.
If you need help seeing both near and far, multifocal contact lenses can replace reading glasses and offer clear vision at all distances.
Dry eyes, allergies, and certain medical conditions can make contact lens wear more challenging. We evaluate your tear production and recommend lens materials that hold moisture or allow more oxygen to reach your cornea. Some people benefit from daily disposable lenses that reduce the buildup of allergens and irritants.
We may suggest prescription eye drops or other treatments to improve comfort if your eyes tend to feel dry or irritated.
We may recommend preservative-free lubricating drops compatible with contact lenses, lid hygiene for blepharitis, and treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction to support comfortable wear.
What Happens During Your Contact Lens Exam
Before we discuss contact lenses, we perform a complete eye exam to check your overall eye health and update your vision prescription. We examine the front and back of your eyes using a microscope called a slit lamp. This exam helps us identify any conditions that might affect your ability to wear contacts safely.
- We measure your visual acuity and refractive error
- We check your eye alignment and focusing ability
- We inspect your eyelids, cornea, and tear film
- We may dilate your pupils to examine your retina and optic nerve when indicated
Using an instrument called a keratometer or corneal topographer, we measure the curvature of your cornea in different areas. These measurements help us select a contact lens with the right base curve and diameter. A lens that is too flat may slide around and cause blurry vision, while a lens that is too steep can bind to the cornea, reduce tear exchange, and feel uncomfortable.
We also measure the horizontal visible iris diameter to determine the best lens size for your eyes.
Once we choose the best lens type and parameters for you, we place trial lenses on your eyes. You will wear these sample lenses for a few minutes so we can see how they settle and move with each blink. We check the fit by looking at how the lens centers on your cornea and how much it moves when you look in different directions.
A properly fitted lens should feel comfortable and provide stable, clear vision without excessive movement or tightness. Allow at least 5 to 10 minutes for soft lenses to settle, and 10 to 15 minutes for toric or multifocal lenses before final measurements. GP and scleral fits may require fluorescein assessment and additional time.
If you are new to contacts, we will show you how to place a lens on your eye and take it off again. We will watch you practice inserting and removing your lenses until you can do it smoothly and safely. Learning proper technique takes patience, so do not worry if it feels awkward at first.
- Always wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses
- Use your fingers to hold your eyelids open wide
- Place the lens gently on your eye and blink slowly
- Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to pinch and remove the lens to avoid scratching your cornea
- Keep your fingernails short and avoid oily lotions before handling lenses
- Insert lenses before makeup, and remove lenses before taking makeup off or using aerosol sprays
After you have worn the trial lenses for a few minutes, we test your vision using an eye chart. We want to make sure the lenses give you sharp, clear sight at all distances. If your vision is not as crisp as it should be, we may adjust the lens power or try a different brand.
We also ask you to move your eyes and blink normally so we can watch how the lenses perform during everyday activities.
The type of contact lens you choose determines how you care for them. Daily disposable lenses are thrown away at the end of each day and require no cleaning. Reusable lenses must be cleaned and disinfected every night using a contact lens solution. We will explain which products work best with your specific lenses.
We also talk about how many hours per day you plan to wear your contacts and whether you need lenses approved for extended wear. Even with FDA-approved extended wear lenses, sleeping in contacts increases the risk of corneal infection. Daily wear is safer for most people.
- Never expose contacts or cases to water. Do not swim, shower, or use a hot tub while wearing lenses. If a lens gets wet, remove it. Discard daily disposables and disinfect reusable lenses before reinserting.
- Do not rinse or store lenses or cases in tap water, bottled water, saline, or saliva. Use only the recommended disinfecting solution.
- Always rub and rinse each lens after removal, even if the solution says no rub.
- Use fresh solution every time. Do not top off or reuse old solution.
- Clean the case daily with disinfecting solution, wipe dry, and air dry face down. Replace the case every 1 to 3 months.
- Use only lubricating drops labeled for contact lenses. Avoid redness-relief drops while lenses are in.
- Never share contact lenses.
- Keep a current pair of backup glasses.
Finding the Right Contact Lenses for Your Eyes
Daily disposable lenses are designed to be worn once and then thrown away. Because you start each day with a fresh, sterile lens, the risk of infection and irritation is lower. These lenses are convenient if you have allergies, travel frequently, or prefer not to deal with cleaning solutions.
- No need to buy or carry cleaning solution
- Lower risk of protein buildup and eye infections
- Great for people with busy schedules or active lifestyles
- May cost more per day than reusable lenses
Monthly and two-week soft lenses are removed every night and cleaned with a multipurpose solution. You wear the same pair of lenses for either two weeks or one month before replacing them with a fresh pair. These lenses often cost less over time than daily disposables, but they require consistent daily care.
If you do not clean your lenses properly, bacteria and debris can build up and lead to discomfort or infection. Replace lenses based on time since opening the package, not the number of days worn. Two-week lenses are replaced 14 days after opening, and monthly lenses one month after opening.
Gas permeable lenses, also called RGP or GP lenses, are made from a firm material that allows oxygen to pass through to your cornea. These lenses often provide sharper vision than soft lenses, especially if you have astigmatism or an irregular cornea. They take longer to get used to but last a year or more with proper care. GP lenses require GP-specific cleaners and conditioners. Do not use soft lens solutions on GP lenses.
We may recommend GP lenses if soft lenses do not give you the clarity you need or if you have certain eye conditions that require a more stable lens surface.
Toric lenses have different powers in different parts of the lens to correct the uneven curvature of your cornea. These lenses must stay in a specific position on your eye to work correctly, so they have special features like weighting or thin zones that keep them from rotating. We measure the axis of your astigmatism to ensure the lens aligns properly.
Toric lenses are available in daily disposable, two-week, and monthly replacement schedules.
Multifocal contact lenses help you see clearly at multiple distances, just like bifocal or progressive eyeglasses. These lenses have different zones for near, intermediate, and far vision. Your brain learns to select the zone you need for each task. Multifocal lenses work well for people over 40 who have presbyopia and need help with reading or computer work.
It may take a few days or weeks for your eyes and brain to adjust to multifocal lenses, but most people adapt successfully with patience.
Some people need custom contact lenses because of irregular corneas, high prescriptions, or eye conditions like keratoconus. Specialty lenses, such as scleral lenses, vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of your eye. These lenses can improve vision and comfort when standard lenses do not fit well.
- Scleral lenses are larger and hold a reservoir of saline over the cornea
- Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center with a soft outer ring
- Custom soft lenses can be made in unusual sizes or powers
- Scleral wearers should fill lenses only with preservative-free sterile saline and never with tap water or multipurpose solution
- Orthokeratology lenses reshape the cornea overnight to provide clear vision during the day and are often used for myopia management in children and teens. They require strict hygiene and regular monitoring.
After Your Contact Lens Fitting
It is normal to feel aware of your lenses during the first few days. Your eyes need time to adjust to having something new on the surface. You may notice slight dryness, a mild foreign body sensation, or extra tearing. These symptoms usually fade as your eyes get used to the lenses.
If discomfort lasts longer than a few days or gets worse, contact our office so we can check the fit and rule out any problems.
We schedule a follow-up appointment about one to two weeks after you start wearing your new lenses. During this visit, we check how your eyes are responding to the lenses and make sure there are no signs of redness, swelling, or irritation. We also ask about your comfort level and how well you are seeing throughout the day.
This visit gives us a chance to make adjustments if the lenses are not fitting as well as we expected.
We may recommend starting with just a few hours of wear each day and slowly building up to a full day over the course of a week or two. This gradual approach helps your eyes adapt without becoming overly tired or dry. If you are switching from eyeglasses to contacts, your eyes need time to adjust to the new way of focusing.
- Wear your lenses for two to four hours on the first day
- Add one to two hours each day as comfort allows
- Remove your lenses if your eyes feel tired or irritated
- Never sleep in your lenses unless they are approved for overnight wear
Most people wear contact lenses without any serious problems, but it is important to know when to take your lenses out and call our office. Sudden pain, redness, sensitivity to light, or discharge can signal an infection or corneal injury. Blurry vision that does not clear when you blink may mean your lens has moved or your prescription needs adjustment. Remove your lenses immediately and do not reinsert them until you have been examined.
Seek same-day care for severe pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, or discharge. Bring your lenses, case, and solutions to the visit.
Reach out to our office right away if you experience severe pain, sudden vision loss, or a feeling that something is stuck under your lens. Also contact us if your eyes become very red, produce thick discharge, or feel tender to the touch. These symptoms require prompt evaluation to protect your eye health. Remove your lenses right away and do not reinsert them until you are cleared to do so.
We are always available to answer questions or see you sooner if your contacts are not working as they should.
Frequently Asked Questions
A contact lens exam usually takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on whether you are new to contacts or just updating your prescription. First-time wearers need extra time to learn insertion and removal techniques, while experienced wearers may move through the appointment more quickly.
Many vision insurance plans cover a routine eye exam, but the contact lens fitting fee is often separate and may require an additional copay. Some plans offer an allowance for contact lenses instead of eyeglasses. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before your appointment to understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs.
Wearing your contact lenses beyond the recommended replacement schedule increases your risk of eye infections, corneal ulcers, and vision problems. Daily disposables are designed for single use. Monthly lenses should be replaced one month after opening the package, and two-week lenses after 14 days, even if you did not wear them every day. Overwearing lenses allows protein and bacteria to accumulate, reducing oxygen flow and harming your cornea.
Mild awareness of your lenses is normal during the first few days, but persistent discomfort or pain is not. Contact our office if your trial lenses feel scratchy, cause redness, or make your vision blurry. We can adjust the fit, try a different lens material, or explore other options that may work better for your eyes.
Yes, switching to a different brand or type of contact lens requires a new fitting and updated prescription. Even if the lens power stays the same, different brands have unique base curves, diameters, and materials that affect how the lens sits on your eye. We need to evaluate the new lens to confirm it fits safely and provides clear vision.
Once we finalize your contact lens prescription, you are legally entitled to a copy and can use it to purchase lenses from any retailer, including online vendors. Make sure the online seller is reputable and ships lenses that match your exact prescription. Buying the wrong brand or parameters can lead to poor vision and eye damage. Never purchase colored or costume lenses without a valid prescription, and avoid sellers that do not verify your prescription.
Getting Help for a Contact Lens Exam
Our eye doctor is here to help you enjoy clear, comfortable vision with contact lenses that fit your lifestyle. If you are ready to schedule a contact lens exam or have questions about your current lenses, reach out to our office and we will guide you through every step of the process.