Contact Lens Evaluation

If you’ve never worn contact lenses before, it can seem a bit intimidating. After all, you’re inserting something into your eye! Let’s ease your mind about the first step – your contact lens exam. Below we’ll walk you through what’s involved in a contact lens exam and what you can expect every step of the way.

The process begins with a comprehensive eye exam to determine your glasses prescription. All contact lens wearers must have a backup pair of glasses. If contact lenses are appropriate for you, it’s time to talk about your contact lens preferences. Dr. Blew will review the benefits and drawbacks of each type, so that you make the best decision. If you’re over 40, your doctor will likely discuss age-related vision changes and how contact lenses can address these issues.

Contact lenses require precise measurements of your eyes to fit properly. If your tear film is insufficient or you have chronic dry eyes, contact lenses may not be a good option for you. However, some newer contact lenses deliver moisture to the surface of the eye, making them a better choice for individuals with dry eye issues.

It's time for the contact lens fitting

The final step is to fit you with a trial pair of contact lenses. Once inserted, your eye doctor will examine the lenses in your eyes to ensure a good fit. She will check the alignment and movement of the lenses on the surface of your eye and if the fit looks good, the last step is to ensure the prescription is correct with a few more tests. You will then go through insertion and removal training to demonstrate proficiency with getting the lenses in and out of your eyes.

Now it’s your turn to test it out

Your doctor will usually have you wear the trial lenses for a week. After that, you’ll have a short follow-up exam to confirm that the lenses are working well for you, make any necessary modifications, and then you will be approved to order a supply of contact lenses. If this is your first contact lens exam, just be sure the office knows you’re interested in wearing contacts so that they can allow for extra time in your appointment for the consultation and any specialized tests.