Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing eyeglasses. Not all patients use contact lenses as their primary form of vision correction. Each patient is different, with some patients wearing contact lenses only on weekends, special occasions or just for sports. This flexibility allows contact lenses to fit different lifestyles.
If you decide to opt for contact lens wear, it is very important that the lenses fit properly and comfortably and that you understand contact lens safety and hygiene. A contact lens exam includes a comprehensive eye exam to check your overall eye health and your general vision prescription, followed by a contact lens consultation and measurement to determine the proper lens fit.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Even without vision problems, regular eye exams help maintain eye health and detect early signs of disease. A comprehensive eye exam at EyeCare Professionals of Powell 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, but this 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 told you you can’t wear contact lenses, we can evaluate your eyes and determine your options. Specialty contacts are available for patients with dry eyes, severe astigmatism and more.
The Contact Lens Consultation
The contact lens industry is always developing innovations to make contacts more comfortable, convenient and accessible. 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.
You may choose between 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 will recommend lenses that suit your 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 trouble 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 properly fit your contact lenses. Contact lenses that do not fit properly could 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 will measure the curvature of your cornea. A keratometer measures this curvature to determine the correct lens fit. If you have astigmatism, the curvature of your cornea is not perfectly round and therefore a “toric” lens, which is designed specifically for an eye with astigmatism, would be fit to provide the best vision and lens fit. 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 using a 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 lenses are not kept hydrated, they can become uncomfortable, and your eyes may feel dry, irritated, and itchy. 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.
To evaluate your tear film, your doctor may use dye and a slit lamp 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 a lens type, your doctor may have you try them to confirm fit and comfort before ordering. The doctor or assistant inserts the lenses and leaves them in for 15 to 20 minutes before examining fit, movement, and tear response. If the lenses fit well, your eye doctor will order them for you. Your Powell 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 relevant.
Follow-up
Your eye doctor may request a follow-up to ensure your contact lenses fit well and that your eyes are adjusting. If you are experiencing discomfort or dryness, 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.